HILL SIXTY.

Northern Advocate, 23 April 1915, Page 5

HILL SIXTY.

A STUPENDOUS STRUGGLE.

NOTABLE STRATEGICAL POINT,

IRRESISTIBLE BRITISH DASH,

(Press Assn. —Reed. 11.40 p.m.)

LONDON, April 22,

The War Office announces that violent and continual counter-attacks against Hill 60 are proceeding. Two heavy infantry attacks have been repulsed with great loss to the enemy.

The importance of Hill 60 was due to its forming a screen for Zandpsurde, five kilometres to the eastward.

When the German artillery was posted on Zandpoudre, the highest hill in the district, they held the key to Flanders, a position which is now deprived of its main protection by the capture of Hill 60.

Both sides of the latter hill were sapped. It was a close race, for half an hour later the enemy would have exploded a mine under the British trenches.

The attack was carefully concealed and the enemy were surprised.

The hill was exploded on Saturday evening, and the British with massed guns raked the shattered trenches.

The infantry took the first line with small opposition, but the second was held with great strength. The enemy fought stubbornly, and were only overcome by the irresistible dash and bravery of the British, who with reinforcements set about the repair'of the captured trenches ..for. defence The work continued throughout 'he night, Under a terrible rain of the enemy's shrapnel.

At dawn the Germans counter-at-tacked and the fight lasted all day. The massed caen& swarmed across the plain -and were decimated hy shrapnel. Our machine,guns swept them down, yet .hoy re-ronued,"Re-peatedly. More than once they reached the British trecches, where bayonet, rifle, and mach'ne guns made hot work and kept them out. . V

finally the enemy were broken, and retired.

The British losses' were less heavy than at first feared. ,