SPLENDID SPIRIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 13 March 1915, Page 5

SPLENDID SPIRIT

ANIMATES BRITISH TROOPS.

FURTHER DETAILS FROM SIR JOHN FRENCH'S REPORT.

The High Commissioner reports : London, March-12. Sir John French reports that since his former communique, the situation on our front between Axmentieres and La Basse© has been materially altered by the successful initiative on the part of the troops engaged. Shortly after 8 on the morning of the 10th of March, these troops-assaulted and carried the German trenches in the neighbourhood of. Neuve. Chapelle. The co-operation between all the artillery and infantry was very.good, with the result that the -losses incurred were not.jgreat in proportion to the results achieved. The mutual support of individual battalions afforded during °the operations was a marked -feature of the attack. Our heavy -artillery was- very «ffective^Apirt from r the observed - Tesults, prisoners' - statements - confirm the accuracy of our fire and the damage causBefore noon we had captured the whole of the village of Chapelle, The infantry proceeded to confirm and extend, the local advantage, and by dusk the whole- labyrinth of -trenches on- a front of about- 4000 yards was our hands,; and - we -had. established ourselves about 1200 yards beyond the enemy's advanced trenches. -.->-. A.immber of. German prisoners were captured and brought to headquarters. During. the day 750, and probably more, were taken. During 11th March, the enemy repeated their efforts to recover ground lost, but all counter-attacks were repulsed with heavy loss. We continue steady progress, with hard fighting still proceeding. The initiative displayed, by our troops daily is admirable, and says much for the "spirit that animates the army. The success achieved on the 10th and 11th is a striking example of this spirit. Further iujfciKiiation received from the general headquarters is as follows: — During the night of 11th and 12th and the early morning several counterattacks were easily repulsed by 4th Corps "and Indian Corp's with heavy losses. Sixty prisoners were captured -from the cnenW-in the night attack. The village of Lepinette was captured by the 3rd Corps, with slight losses. Fog prevailing, hinders the operations.