HOW BATTLE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE WAS WON

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 63, 15 March 1915, Page 5

HOW BATTLE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE WAS WON

LITTLE RESISTANCE TO DASHING ATTACK. BRITISHERS FAYING OFF AN OLD SCORE. (Keceived 5.55 a.m.) LONDON, March 14. "Eye-witness" -with the British headquarters says that our offensive at Neuve Chapelle was attended t>y signal success. The fire of many guns and howitzers opening the bombardment is described as the most tremendous both in noise and effect the army had ever seen or heard. Within half an hour after the signal for attack had been given almost the Whole of an elaborate series of German trenches was in our hands. Except at one point hardly any resistance was offered. Many trenches were blotted out and filled with dead and dying partially buried under earth and debris, while the majority of the survivors were in no mood for further fighting. Meanwhile on the right from Richebourg a similar advance was progressing, and towards the rectangular Biez Wood, a thousand yards south-east of Neuve Chapelle. The resistance was slight, and we reached a point 400 yards eastward of the others to the northward, fighting long after darkness had fallen. The enemy were then considerably shaken and were surrendering in some parts in groups. The Germans throughout the day held a strong position nicknamed "Port Arthur"' at an angle of the crossroads southward of the village, guarded by a perfect network of trenches and barbwire. The struggle raged until 5.30 p.m., when we stormed and carried the position with our bayonets. The Britishers showed the utmost dash throughout the operations in the consciousness that an old score was being paid off, the enemy for the time being being on the run. The field hospitals and ambulances were filled with the cheeriest crowd of wounded. A British airman destroyed a pier of the railway bridge at Menin, and another completely wrecked the Courtrai station, both of vital importance to the enemy's lines of communication. GERMAN FORT AND TRENCHES CAPTURED. BRITISH OCCUPY VILLAGE NEAR LILLE. WELLINGTON, March 14. The High Commissioner in London reports, under date of March 13 as follows:— Paris reports state that east of Lombaertzyde the Allies captured a small German fort 100 metres in front of the Allies' trenches. East of Armentierss the British occupied the hamlet of Epinette. In the district of Champagne on Thursday evening the Allies carried Beveral of the enemy's trenches in front of a ridge north-east of Mesnil. Further progress took place on Friday. On the heights of the Meuse parts of a trench were captured by the Allies. At Reiehackerkopf the Allies repulsed a night attack, and advanced 200 metres. GERMANS STILL CONCENTRATING IN FLANDERS. STRONG ATTACK OPENED SOUTH OF DIXMUDE. AMSTERDAM, March 14. The German concentration towards Ypres and La Bassee continues. All the troops in Northern Flanders have been sent thither. The Germans have mounted heavy guns at Middlekirke, and are endc- vourhg to destroy the sluices. A strong German attack has been opened south of Dixmude.