FIERCE STRUGGLE AT HOOGE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 149, 25 June 1915, Page 7

FIERCE STRUGGLE AT HOOGE

MOST DESPERATE FIGHTING. SPLENDID WORK OF BRITISH BOMB-THROWERS. LONDON, 24th June. Router's correspondent at British Headquarters, describing the attack in the Hooge region (east of Ypres) on the 16th, states that it was carried out with daring and gallantry. " The infa.ntry fighting was some of the most desperate of the campaign. The dash and impetuosity of our troops paralysed the Germans. Their men in the front trenches either bolted to the rear trenches or stayed and were bayoneted and taken prisoner. Many dropped tlieir rifles and stood in the trench in a suppliant attitude praying for mercy. Some even fell on their knees. "The preliminary artillery bombardment was very thorough. It entirely destroyed the enemy's wire, and made a breach in the trench wall through which the British, rushed, shouting like madmen. They were led by the Fusiliers. "Directly the first line was occupied the charging men went for the second, while parties strengthened the captured position. The bomb-throwers proved of signal nervice. Their activities increased the_ length ofl trenches won after the initial charge. The greater part of the fighting was between bomb-throwers, and. in tbjs work our men were markedly superior. '* " The Liverpool Scottish Territorials are praised on all hands for their endurance under shell fire and their eagerness to got into grips with the enemy. "Th»~wnole area between -th»,Brkteh-

trenches and the German aecond line was plastered with fire. The Liverpool men charged through a gun-swept inferno, and there were numberless acts of individual heroism. Lieut. Scrutton, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, was wounded in the head when leading a bombing party. He continued, and was again wounded. He returned 'to the ambulance station and, after his head had been bound up, he returned to the trenches again, showing conspicuous bravery. " Cpl. S. Smith, of the Liverpool Scottish, worked up to a German trench with a! email party, killed thirty of the enemy, and captured a machine gun. " The British finally formed a new line, incjuding the whole of the German front trenchee. This live is immensely; superior to that formerly held." NUNS' AMBULANCE SHELLED. (Received June 25, 8.10 a.m.) PARIS, 24th June. A communique states : The enemy bombarded Arras. At one point the enemy particularly shelled the ambulance of the Holy Sacrament nuns, and nurses were killed. Our captures in the Fecht district since the 14th total 25 officers and 689 men.