WESTERN CAMPAIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16807, 17 March 1915, Page 7

WESTERN CAMPAIGN.

FIERCE FIGHTING IN FLANDERS. THE BRITISH ENGAGED. By T«le£r»ph—Pre«* As&ociation —Copyright, PARIS, March 15. A communique states: — The Belgians continue to progress along the bend of tho Yser, and-,also south of Dixmude. The enemy violently attacked and slightly pushed back tlio British at St Eloi, south of Ypres. The British counter-attacked and regained part of the lost ground. Fighting continues. The situation in tho Neuve Chapelle region is unchanged. We repulsed a violent attempt to retake trenches between Four do Paris and Baolante.

GERMAN TRENCHES CAPTURED.

FIGHTING AT MANY POINTS

FRENCH SUCCESS AT VAUQUOIS. (Received March 16, 10.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 16. Tho following official report has been issued: — The French infantrv by a brilliant attack captured three ‘linos of trenches on ft spur at Notre Dame do Lorette

and reached the edge of the plateau, they took a hundred prisoners and blew up an ammunition store. They also blew up several German trenches at Curie and Roclmcourt. Thero lias been serious fighting at Albert, northwest of Nouvron, north-east of Souain and north-west of Perthes. Numerous counter-attacks were repulsed in the Argonnc and the Bois le Pretro. Our infantry captured the western part of Vnuquois, making numerous prisoners.

GERMANS AT LILLE. EARLY EVACUATION EXPECTED. (Received March 17, 12.25 a.m.) PARIS, March 16. The Allies’ bombardment in the neighbourhood of Lille compelled part of the German headquarters staff to retire to Tournai. It is believed that the Germans will shortly be forced to evacuate Lille. This will be a severe loss to the enemy, because Lille is the junction of many railway lines commanding Belgium.

OFFICIAL NEWS. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE. Tho Prime Minister has received the following report from tho High Commissioner

LONDON, March 16. The War Office reports the following casualties:—

Officers killed 15, wounded 30. missing 1. rejoined 1. Paris reports that the day was marked by a number of gains by the

| Allies. The Germans tried to recapture the small fort carried by the Ali lies on Thursday night but wero re- : pulsed, leaving fifty-five dead. South of Ypres tho British were compelled to fall back from a trench taken i yesterday but retained the trench notj withstanding many counter attacks. North of Arras tho Allies’ infantry by a brilliant attack captured at one bound three lines of trenches and took a hundred prisoners and munitions. In tho region of Curie ano Reel incourt the Allies blew up so era. German trenches and prevented tho enemy reconstructing them. ’ In the region of Albert tho Germans exploded a mine under the Al-

lies’ trench and occupied the position but the Allies regained it. In the Valley of the Aisne, northwest of Nouvron, two German companies under fire suffered great losses. In the Champagne region the Allies > gained ground north-east of Souain and j north-west of Pertlies. In tho region of Bagatelle the enqj my’s blockhouse was demolished and the site occupied. In the wood of Le Pretre. north-west lof Pont-a-Mousson, the Germans destroyed .by a mine four of the Allies’ advanced trenches but the greater part : of the position was regained.