In France and Flanders.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 430, 9 August 1915, Page 5

In France and Flanders.

Germans Preparing to Make Winter Campaign.

Offensive Continues |n Argonne and the Vosges, [FBBM ASSOCIATION —OOFYBICBX.) Amsterdam, Aug. 7. The Germans in Manders are constructing hundreds of huts to accommodate troops for the winter. Pans, Aug. 8. OFFICIAL. —T he Germans twice renewed attacks on Hill 213, in the Argonne, but were repulsed. An explosion of two mines enabled them to gain a footing in one of our trenches, from which they’ were immediately expelled. The enemy maintains mi immense bombardment 111 the Forest of Aprcmonl, north-west of Verdun. The Germans attempted to attack Schratzmanellc Pass, in the Vosges. Our shrapnel checked them, and a, second attack was repulsed by the bayonet and grenades. A GERMAN REPORT. BELGIANS DRIVEN BACK AT DIXMUDE. • Berlin, Aug. 7. OFFICIAL.— Our artillery forced the Belgians to evacuate a position across the Yser near Hcarrnisse, south of Dixmude. A HAIL OF SHELLS FAILS TO DISLODGE THE FRENCH(Received 9, 9.5 a.m.) Paris, Aug. 8. During the last' 24 hours of the bombardment in the Argonne the Crown Prince’s artillery threw 20,000 shells in a single hour without dislodging the French.

A CALLANT CHARGE AT STEINBACH.

Pans, Aug. 8. Fighting at Steinbach, Lieutenant Martell's section was ordered to charge the trenches. A. terrific fire early destroyed half the section, but the remainder continued to advance. When ready for the Imai dash there were only 17 survivors. Grenades further reduced the number to ij, but these it, headed by Lieut. Martel, sprang over the parapet killing all in the trench, and losing another man. The remainder scoured the shelters of the communicating trenches, killing all resisters. Many Germans howled f<»r mercy. Altogether Lieut. Martel’s party killed 77, took prisoner 38 wounded, and 87 not wounded. General JoflTe decorated the heroes. TO-DAY’S COMMUNIQUES. GRENADE FIGHT ING AT SOUCHEZ. .Received 9, 10.20 a.m.) Paris, Aug. 8. z\ communique slates that grenade fights take place round Souchez. After a day’s fighting in the Argonne, the Germans penetrated one of our works on the salient at Fontaine Houyettc, but bv counter-attacks they were expelled, the Germans retaining only’ the listening post frontward of our foremost line. The Germans, by a night attack at Fillemorte, gained a footing in our trenches, but were immediately driven ccpt for -o ineirrs.

We repulsed an extremely violent attack at Lmgekopt with heavv losses to the .enemy. In front of one of our companies over 100 Germans were seen hanging on the barbed wire entanglements. - - - THE GERMAN SIDE OF THE STORY. (Received 9, 10.20 a.m.) Amsterdam, Aug. 8. A German communique state>: —We repulsed a hand grenade attack at Sottchez. We repulsed counter-attacks against the trenches we captured on Saturday in West /Argonne. TRAGIC STORY OF HILL 60. DEATHLESS HEROISM OF THE 13 th BRIGADE. ASPHYXIAT lON OF GALLANT MEN.

“NEVER GRASP THE HAND OF A GERMAN AGAIN.”

London. Aug- 7. Mr. Valentine Williams, of the “Standard,” gives the first complete account of the 13th Brigade’s doings at Hill 60, south-east of Ypres. He says that the story contains innumer - able feats of deathless heroism and splendid tenacity, beginning with a fine feat of arms and ending in the asphyxiation of gallant men. a crime so foul that none w’bo saw the result will ever shake hands with a German again.

BRITISH PLAN OF ATTACK. The Germans held the upper slopes of the summit and the British trenches ran along the lower slopes. It was decided to mine the summit and send infantry to occupy the craters and capture the hili. Tse Ist West Kents and 2nd Scottish Borderers manned the trenches, awaiting the explosion of the mines, which were timed for 7 in the evening in April 17. Five mines exploded punctually, while the French, Bel gian and our guns opened a road on all the German positions in the vicinitv. THE HILL CAPTURED. When the last mine wont up Major Joslin led the West Kents over the parapet. The Germans were com pletely surprised and hastily quitted the ruined trenches raked by machine guns. Those who stood their ground were bayoneted or driven into the communicating trenches. By 7.20 the hill was ours and with few casualties. RE-TAKEN BY THE GERMANS. The Germans early' in the morning opened a bombardment during which the Borderers relieved the West Kents. Major Joslin was killed. There was a terrible bombardment all night long, but these astounding men sang choruses while high explosives were bursting. Wellington’s regiment relieved their comrades in the morning, but the Germans, under cover of their merciless shells,_ crept closer and closer. By noon of the 18th they had recaptured the hill, save a section of one trench. AGAIN IN OUR HANDS. A British counter-attack was decided on. The Wellingtons were as full of fight as ever and led the way. The Yorkshire Light Infantry followed. The B Company on the Wellingtons’ right reached the trenches with slight casualties. The 0 Company, on the centre, charged oyer open ground, and only 7 Captain Barton

and eleven men reached the trenches, but with their bayonets they routed the enemy. The D Company on the left lost all their officers, but gained the goal. Hill 60 was again ours. Many fine, deeds were done and many distinctions gained, hut the 13th Brigade was exhausted and sent to billets. GAS CLOI D COVERS HILL.

Tlie Surreys. Devons and Dorsets were next, sent to hold the hill. They held on till the early hours on May Ist. when a low greenish, cloud came rolling over the hill top. The Dorsets were wholly unprepared. In a minute or two the gas had the men in its grip, slowly choking them to death. As the Germans swarmed out of their trenches the Dorsets. half asphyxiated, scrambling on to the parapet held them at bay. When night fell the Devops’ relieved the Dorsets. stumbling over many gal hint men lying in the fields and ditches.

The second gas attack came on the morning of Ma_v sh, a warm spring day with a gentle breeze. The Wellingtons were holding the hill. When the gas had done its work Captain Robins staggered to the rear and gasped out: “The Dukes are gassed and the men all dead. I believe T was the last man to leave the hill. They were splendid.” Robins died that night. SLOPES STREWN WITH POISONED HEROES. The Germans did not advance, remembering the lesson of May 1, but the situation seemed so critical that the Devons beat up’ every reserve. Even cooks lined the trenches. The men described the railway' cutting On the side of the hill where the wounded were so thick that they had to pick their way. The scene made witnesses sick with horror and fierce anger against the fiends who perpetrated the crime. The counter-attack was ordered for 10 the same night, and entrusted to the West Kents and Borderers. It failed against a tremendous bombardment. shell holes and fragments of barbed wire. The leading files were mown down instantly. Another counter-attack was made next morn ing with the Yorkshire Light Infantry and Irish Rifles. They fought fiercely against the samp obstacles and failed. We finally retired to the lower slopes of the hill. It was a failure, but a glorious one.