"THEIR RANKS ARE SADLY THINNED"

RETIRE COVERED WITH GLORY GALLANTRY OF BRITISH TERRITORIALS. DUNKIRK, 29th April. On Wednesday the Canadians, worn out' with four days and nights of unceasing struggle, were relieved, and they retired covered with glory. Their ranks are sadly thinned. Their whole forces were fighting along a front of five miles on the most critical days — Saturday and Sunday — when the Germans brought up howitzers and heavy artillery, and advanced to positions covered by a very high road. A curtain of fire prevented reinforcements being sent forward. The Germans were using new corps lavishly. Many were badly demoralised, facing shell-fire for the first time. There was a change on Monday, when the Allies adopted a general offensive. By dropping bombs on the railway junctions, they prevented the' Germans from-rein-forcing their exhausted troops. The Germans suffered great losses at Rairing and St. Julien. '. The British Territorials- fought with 'great gallantry. It was a baptism of lire for many units. When called on Friday afternoon to reinforce the Canadians, the Territorials brilliantly assisted in capturing St. Julien. They moved up an open road along the banks of the rjver at Haanebeck, though the Germans directed a murderous machine-gun fire from the ruined houses. Unfortunately, the Territorials did not enjoy the full fruits of their gallantry, as at St. Julien they found that they had advanced their line too far, and it was remodelled nearer Ypres. The British are now pressing the offensive home, and the French are making many prisoners and capturing machineguns. They recovered their own guns from ihe swamp. The Belgians and French are also attacking the bridgehead from the north of Steenstraate. The British attacked the other side, rendering tho .German tenure perilous. Reports from the British state that three thousand German prisoners were taken in the two days following the check. The British successfully attacked Frelinghien, near Armentieres. and also Epinette, where the infantry, supported by an armoured train and heavy artillery, smashed its way into the .German trenches with grenades. (MESS ASSOCIATION.) CAMEROONS COAST BLOCKADE DECLARED BY BRITAIN. (Received April 30, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 29th April. Britain has declared a blockade of the Cameroon^ Coast.