IN THE WEST

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 125, 28 May 1915, Page 7

IN THE WEST

THE BRITISH PROGRESS ADVANCE FROM FESTUBERT. LONDON, 26th May. Sir John French reports : " The army continues to advance east of Festubert. A Territorial division last night captured a group of German trenches. Since the 16th our Ist Army has pierced the German line on a front of over three mile 3, taking prisoner eight officers and 777 men, and capturing ten machine guns." FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. PARIS, 27th May. An official communique states: "The Germans made desperate efforts yesterday to recapture their positions at Angres, and fighting proceeded with extreme violence throughout the day." [Angres, which has figured in recent messages, is a big mining village where the Germans have hidden among the houses great guns with which they hindered the French attacks on the Lorette slopes. The French are approaching Angres from the west and north-west through German field works constructed among mines and slag-heaps.] IMPORTANT BRIDGE DAMAGED LONDON, 27th May. Telegrams from Rotterdam state that the Allies' air raid on the St. Pierre railway station at Ghent (cabled yesterday) resulted in a great hole being made in the railway bridge ovei the Scheldt. Thia bridge came* practically, all the

traffic from Bruges and Oatend, as well as the Berlin and Vienna expresses to Paris. ENEMY FLYER TRAPPED. PARIS, 27th May. An aeroplane flying towards Paris threw bombs at Meaux. Meanwhile an air squadron at the front was warned, and awaited the return of the raider, which was brought down at Soissons. Both German aviators were killed. Our aeroplanes dropped fifty 90 mm. shells on the Douai aerodrome, hitting the har^rs and aeroplanes. TRENCHES OF WONDERFUL CONSTRUCTION. (TIMES tND BIDNET SUN SERVICES.) (Received May 28, 8 a.m.) LONDON, 27th May. A correspondent in North France states that a wave in the straightened line from Festubert to Richebourg l'Avoue has taken in the enemy's trenches east of Laquinque. The trenches are wonderful constructions, being made of concrete, having electric light and fans, the draught-making mechanism being worked by electricity. Most of the trenches are provided with machine guns embedded in cement concrete casemates. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT The High Commissioner reports : — LONDON, 27th May, 4.35 a.m. The British have made a fresh advance in the direction of La Bassee, 'capturing sixty prisoners and some machine guns. North of Arras the Germans continued desperate efforts to recapture positions lost on Tuesday in the region of Angres. Fighting was extremely violent throughout the day, and some salients were exchanged more than once. The Allies have gained a footing at different points. The enemy did not reoccupy any of the trenches captured by the Allies on Tuesday at Aix Nbulette, on the Souchez-road. Despite an intense bombardment the Allies advanced 200 yards on the slopes north-east of the Chapel at Lorette. The enemy's losses were very heavy. A German aeroplane flying towards Paris was brought down, and both its occupants were "killed. French aircraft dropped fifty shells on an aerodrome at La Boyette, 'near Douai, striking sheds and machines. LONDON, 27th May, 5.30 p.m. Last night Belgian troops repulsed two attacks north and south of Dixmude ; the first by a counter-attack, the second by ifre. In the sector north of Arras two engagements took place, one resulting in the capture of enemy trenches, the other in taking some prisoners.