IN THE FIRING LINE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16824, 7 April 1915, Page 7

IN THE FIRING LINE.

ENEMY'S LACK OF CO-OPERATION.

BAVARIANS AND SAXONS SACRIFICED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, April 5.

" Eye-Witness '' reports that prisoners' statements indicate lack of cooperation between Prussians, Bavarians •and Saxons at Neuve Chapelle. Bavarians and Saxons are indignant because ostensibly iliey wore sent to reinforce the firing lino, and during a counter-attack at tho Bois du Riez they discovered themselves alone and unsupported. Many who surrendered declared that Prussian officers were responsible. The Germans left Saxon and Bavarian wounded in front of their trenches. British _ tried to succour them, but tho Prussians in the trenches continued to shoot, and 'some of tho British wero wounded. ATHLETE KILLED. LONDON, April G. Captain Hbswelle, of the Highland Light Infantry, holder of tho Olympic quarter-mile record in 1908, was killed in ac!*on.

THE NEUV-ECHAPELLE fICHT.

TWO GALLANT REGIMENTS. (Received April 7, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, April G.

A combatant at Neiive-Ckapelle relates that tho final success wat; largely due to tho Lincolnshires' and Berkshires' dash in tho primary assault. Hand grenades thrown in the enemy's trenches caused many to surrender. Tho Germans wero caught in a trap. The Lincolnshires drove thorn across a strip of water, fiv.o feot deep, stretching along tho front. Tho _ Lincolnshires lost seven officers, including Colonel Macandrew, killed', and 21)8 men killed or wounded.

EVERYTHING COLOSSAL

OFFICER'S IMPRESSIONS OF THE WAR. ' "Times" and Sydney "Sub" Scrviooa. (Received April G, 6.20 p.m.) LONDON, April 6. An officer writes: —"St Patrick's Day saw a number of men sporting sprigs of shamrock in their caps. An Irish flag materialised from somewhere, and was stuck on top of a. parapet amidst a burst of cheering. Shortly after the Union Jack was placed at the side of tho green ensign. Everyone was wildly enthusiastic, and the whole trench burst spontaneously into the National Anthem, quite unrehearsed. It sounded splendid. Thank goodness it is spring. Tho warm sunlight means movement, drying up tho abominable marshes. ■ and the great advance which will terminate this wicked war. It is a great prospect, a line of two hundred miles on the west, and douhlo that length on tho east, sweeping irresistibly onwards until finally they crush the German armies between them. Hope I may 'be there to see the end. It is an enormous privilege to take nart in this war, apart from tho question of right and wrong. Tho whole thing is absolutely epic. Everything is colossal. Millions of men are struggling over the map of Europe, gigantic guns are hurling tons of motal with every shot, hundreds of factories are feverishly pouring out supplies of munitions, yet when we are hauled out in the morning, highfalutin' viows vanish. All our feelings are summed up in the word ' Damn.' "