WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1916, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

-DEVIL'S WOOD." A PERFECT NIGHTMARE . THE BRITISH ADVANCE. Received July SI, 6 p.m. London. Jnlv 30. Mr. Philip Gibbs says: The '.British hombanlment of Delville Wood began on Thursday morning, when it was arranged to make a progressive series of barrages with every kind of howitzer. The infantry advanced for a stage under -hell lire, depending for their lives upon ' 'he scientific .accuracy of the gunners '• who were a long way behind, as in the event- of shells dropping short they would get them "in the neck." This risk had to be taken, because of greater risks of tile troops flying from the chance of being killed by their own shells. As the fire advanced, scattered groups in extended order, but keeping in touch, scrambled and crawled forward. There was not two yards of ground without a :.».ell hole. Fallen trees and brushwood made a tangled maze of obstacles, and there were pitfalls everywhere. A GHOULISH PLACE, ! Tlie troops, who were heavily loaded , with fighting kit, and had bombs slung in their belts, progressed slowly through \ the infernal wood, which had been taken . four times by waves of British, and re- . taken four times by German waves. It had been the dumping-place of tlie most furious bombardments, and the English therefore advanced through a great graveyard, of unburicd dead. The ghoulishness of the place left its mark on the minds of men who had not been troubled much by the sights of battle. Many of them wince when mention is made of Delville. These slashed trees, naked tienches, smoking shell-holes, and charred timber, intermingled with bloodstained bundles that once held life, made up the nightmare. GERMANS CRY FOR PITY. Tt was extraordinary.that after the tornado of flying shells several hundred Germans remained alive. Our men, advancing, were surprised to see men running away, though bits of white rag fluttering in the shell holes indicated that groups were crouching at the bottoms, anxious to surrender. The British shouted "C-ome iut!" and the Germans emerged, with their hands up, crying ,; Pity," a word they have newly learned. When the British poked bayonets ; towards them, big men fell on their knees and cried foi mercy, which was given, although- the soldiers were angry boear-e the Germans were firing so many gas shells, 'A GRUESOME. EXPERIENCE. Meantime the. troops upon the right, pushing to the top of the wood, en"ountered deep dug-outs. They stepped cautiously in the dark. Huddled forms groaned at the touch of boots. Many men were lying in pools of blood, and the damp earth and the fumes of oillamps mingled made a sickening odor. FRENCH AND BRITISH ADVANCE. NEW POSITIONS STRENGTHENED. Received July 31,. 7 p.m. London, July 31. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: In conjunction with the French on our right we advanced on a front extending from Delville Wood to the Somme, reaching eastward to Waterlot Farm and Trones Wood, and inflicting heavy losses. The French on our right flank similarly advanced in line. The infantry are lighting at Pozieres, where they are strengthening the ground gained during the week. THE STRESS AT POZIERES. 1100.000 SHELLS FIRED. - London, July 30. Mr. Beach Thomas says that the Pozieres battle caused six days' constant stress. Some soldiers had no sleep for four days, and a Brigadier-Generaljiad 11/,I 1 /, hours in six days. The Germans used egg-sized bombs, which- a good cricketer could throw 100 yards. They also used the biggest guns, and shells were falling in the lines with regular rhythm. The mutual bombardment of Delville Wood was beyond precedent. A hundred thousand shells were ur^; - JE .a^.^ J .., r NORTH OF THE SOMME. FRENCH ADVANCE CONTINUES, Received July 31, 7 p.m 'Paris, July 1. A communique states: There has been a. scries of bitter combats north of the Somme. North-east of Hardicourt we captured all the enemy trenches for a depth varying from 300 to SOO metres, and reached the outskirts of Maurepos village. We hold the wood north-west of the station at Hem, and ';he quarry northward of the wood. German count-er-attacks were broken, with heavy losses. We repulsed an attack southward of Thiaumont wood. There have been severe bombardments at Fleury and Va.us Chapetre. GERMANY'S LATEST CRIMES.) TERRIBLE CHASTISEMENT 'URGED. Received jVly 31, 5 f .ni, Paris, July 31. L'Homme Enchaine, referring to the Lille, Eoubaix, and Fryatt outrages, says: "Oil', 1 : indignation must be expressed by the sternest resolution to chastise the assassins terribly when the time comes. Our peace treaty will be a decree for justice." Le Temps declares: ''These things could only be done by Germans or Kurds. Germany, by her crimes, <- alreid" fis,'ius the terms of E<L&ce,'<

GERMAN TYRANNY, ' r " SULOW'S ARMY ORDER,. Paris. July 30. Tlie Government has sent a Note to neutrals respecting the treatment of the population of invaded territory, also a document showing the various" kinds ot 're.Uincnt which are contrary to all the usages of war to which the inhabitants have been subjected. The Note adds: "If Germany wishes to contest the evidence she has" only to consent to an impartial investigation by neutral Powers." An army order by General Bulow. fou::d on a prisoner, complains that certain positions not attacked have been abandoned, and threatens officers with penalties unlc-s they light to the last. THE GERMAN SLAVE RAID. CHARACTERISTIC NOTICES. . Paris. July 30. The military commander of Lille posted a notice on houses which read: "All inhabitants of this house, except children under fourteen, their mothers, and old men, must be ready to leave in an hour and a half. They must collect in front of theii hquses. If the weather is bad they may remain indoors, but the doors must be open. Any appeal will be useless. No inhabitant may leave the house before eight o'clock in the morning. Anyone who tries to eseape will, on be-' ing taken, be mercilessly punished.''