THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8215, 12 August 1915, Page 5

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ARTILLERY

BRITISH GAIN WITH SLIGHT

LOSS

LONDON, August 10.

The "Daily Chronicle" says that the main attack to recover the lost ground at Hooge began with a preliminary bombardment shortly after dawn, the enemy replying from the east, west, and north of the Ypres salient, so that for many miles over a wide stretch of territory great shells and storm-clouds of shrapnel were bursting.

At 4 o'clock our fire was concentrated, on the linos at Hooge. All cur batteries poured out a torrent of fire, and when our, infantry stormed the trenches the condition of the_ s enemy lines, was terrible beyond words. The death-roll was heavy in destroyed dugouts and behind the broken parapets.

Our casualties were slight, because the artillery had done most of the work, and so overcome the, enemy's response. The prisoners were all dazed and demoralised.