HARD TASK OF THE BRITISH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9140, 14 May 1915, Page 5

HARD TASK OF THE BRITISH.

THE ATTACK AT LA BASSEE. ;•'.■ ENEIiiY VERY' STRONGLY ENTRENCHED.

DUNKIRK, May 13. '. The British attack commenced oa Saturday with a terrible bombardment, of the German trenches and hills. Then' the right and centre carried the first Imo of the enemy's trenches on the Aubers ridge almost without opposition. Our troops, including the Indiajis, then advanced to the second line, and game under a withering fire from the riiies and machine-guns of German infantry, who were massed in grent force. They had suffered little from our shell fire, as tbeir trenches were deep, and of foiutVjiri'd concrete, with underground galleries. When the British advanced the Germans issued from their subterranean trenches and turned on the fire of massed inacliino-gu:is. Onr rrten fought like hcroo-5 in tho face of tremendous ids. Our left had almost reached 1-laubourdifi, but great numbers of Germans debouched from Lilkv and .he British were slowly driven back, still holding a footing on the Aubeis ridge. • .... The- French now command the plain extending from Dt>uai to Lille, and are within striking distance of Lens and La' Bassoe. They have made better progress, but the British have the harder task. Our repeated rushes on the outskirts of La Bassec cost us terribly m lives. The men encountered cntangiements in the most unlikely spots. The I Germans largely relied upon macMneeuns. The number appeared unlimited, and the supply of ammunition inexhaustible. Trenches under the walls or La Bussee are made of concrete, sbieldod with thick steel plates for protection against artillery. Our treops returned heroically to the assault again ana aaiain. The battle is now diminishing in intensity.