IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

[ FIVE MONTHS' WORK* A STEADY STRUGGLE. Received May 29, 10.55 p.m. London, May 29. General Sir Douglas Haig's first despatch covers the five months since 19th December. He says: "There has been no incident of historic importance, but a steady continuous struggle above and Delow ground, with many sharp local actions. The period saw the British initiation in cutting-out raids, wherein the British, on the whole, still hold the initiative." The report alludes'to the extension of the front, in order .o release French troops for Verdun. The evacuation on a considerable front, everywhere in touch with the enemj', was a delicate operation, but was completely successful THE MISTAKE AT ST. ELOI. General Haig clears up the confusion relating to the British attack at Saint Eloi on 27th March. Its object was the straightening of the line. Fighting for the mine craters lasted a week, and the British ihen secured the whole original objective, but the wet ground and the intense enemy bombardment prevented the consolidation of the positions, and the Germans recaptured two craters. It was erroneously reported to General Haig on April 11th .hat the British had regained all the craters whereas, the old craters had been mistaken for the new ones, and the latter were rendered untenable, and have since oeen abandoned. BRITISH LINE THE SAME. "The British line is, roughly, the same as before the first' attack," continues the report. "My forces have been considerably augmented by the arrival of new formation from Home and the transfer of others which have been released from nearest service. This increase enabled us to relieve one French army at the time of the Verdun battle." THE OVERSEAS FORCES. Among ihe newly-arrived men were the Anzac corps. With the Anzacs, CanaSiajis, and portion of the South African troops, the overseas forces from the Dominions are now a valuable part of the Imperial forces in France. WAR IN THE AIR. The appearance of Fokkers in December obliged the British to send escorts with reconnoitring aeroplanes. Consequently, air fight, which had previously been exceptional, are now an every-day occurrence. DISEASE DISAPPEARING. There has been no serious epidemic of disease, and the sick rate is low. Enteric, the bane of the armies of yore, has almost disappeared, owing to the energetic preventive measures. The Registration Commission has marked over fifty thousand graves. A GRACEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT. General Haig concludes by paying a tribute to General French's work in starting with a small Expeditionary Force." He faced an enemy far superior in numbers, fully prepared for this great campaign. During the long and anxious timo needed for t*he improvisation of the comparatively large force that is now at the front, General French overcame all difficulties, and before relinquishing his responsibilities he had the satisfaction of seeing the balance of advantage swing steadily in our favor." CRATERS OCCUPIED. A FRENCH REPORT. Paris, May 28. A communique says: We occupied the southern lips of tlrree craters and cat'! ried the German lines at HauteChevauche in the Argonne. Our fire stopped two attacks north-eastwards of Belsohwiller, in Akace. AN ATTACK REPULSED. Paris, May 27. A communique says:—The enemy launched a powerful attack this afternoon on the trenches about Donaumont Fort, but they were completely repulsed, with severe losses.