BLIZZARDS IN EUROPE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1918, Page 5

BLIZZARDS IN EUROPE

WESTERN TRENCHES SWEPT TWO BRITISH DESTROYERS LOST PITCHED BATTLE AT ODESSA SUBMARINE ATTACKS CONVOY

. EAST AFRICA.

, /THE ENEMY HARRIED, ' Received Dee. 18, 10.50 p.nv London, Jan. 1J East Africa official: Our column from ' Port "Johnston engaged the enemy at the lonfluence of the Luvimbula and Lujenda . rivers, toeing liim northwards. Patrols inflicted appreciable losses on the enemy !<mth of Owembe. FINAL STAGES OF CAMPAIGN. . TENACIOUS GERMAN* GENERAL, j General van Derventer's forces in East Africa have reaped n rich harvest of capture* from the enemy (wrote the correspondent of a South African newspaper on November 2G). Early in ihe month a j fortnight's toll , was 430 Europeans and 661 Askaris killed and captured, besides 18' guns, including the last two 4-ineri guns landed frdm the old Konigsberg, which have teen of such grer.t service to • tbo enemy There have been many rearguard actions-—von Lettow's favorite occupation.' The British forces have been pursuing the Germans across the Makonda Plateau during the last few days. This plateau is some 20 miles from the Portuguese border. A feature of the fighting in this difficult, heavily wooded, miasmal country hM <been the splendid work done by our native African troops—the King's African Rifles, the Cape Corps, and the Nigerian Brigade—all led by white officers. Everyone speaks in glowing terms of the Nigerian troops, who have on • many; Occasions saved the situation lor tlheir European comrades and brothers in black. Since November 1, 7!)S German Europeans have been killed and captured, and & much larger number of their sable Askari troops; and all the British and Belgian prisoners of war have been released. TJ» enemy has abandoned his last 4.1 howitzer, which has been found intact, tad 'baa surrendered his hospital staff all over ihe country. All this can have but ODe meaning-—that this most trying series oi military operations is nil but finished. Still much of this gratifying success it! attributed rather to our surprise, flanking movements than to enemy eolla'pte. It ia significant that tne Portuguese troop* ire venturing to leave their border boundary, and are approaching Nowalu from the soutn The forces of "our ancient ally : ' are at present separated from the British at Makonde only by the Miiall Hochland plateau. A portion of the enemy forces in the centre of the southern part oi the territory is being engaged by the British ai<d Belgian troops, and. have been 'ltiven away from the Matienge area. The operations nave been prolonged for so long a time, after often being seemingly near i. finish, ibav one is apt to inquire the reasons why. First and foremost lias been the unwavering constancy and intrepidity oi the German general, von "Lettow VorbecK Small in stature, of trail physique, often ailing, but with an overpowering sense of duty, he is aafd to possess, a dominating personality, and hie personal bravery and iron discipline have made him famous. The British •tldcm fail to admire the strong points of an enemy, and our people have nothing but real respect and admiration for a valiant foe. Troublesome he has been, but he has not been truculent or treacherous. If the statements of German prisoners are to be relied upon, the German troops, White and blaek, are sick and tired of the • campaign, and what are left of them ■would throw up the sponge at once if von 'Lettow Was killed or captured. It is wonderful Where they get their arms and ammunition from, as they seem to bave plenty. As many as .12 Maxims wen recently counted within a space of a lnmdred yards. There is much satisfaction at the last of the Konigsberg's guns being captured, as they quite outranged ours, and caused many casualties.