CAPTURE OF GERMAN STRONGHOLD IN FLANDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15899, 23 April 1915, Page 7

CAPTURE OF GERMAN STRONGHOLD IN FLANDERS.

BRITISH SAPPERS' RAGE FOR VICTORY* ALL-DAY BATTLE FOR POSSESSION OF HILL. i UNWAVERING TENACITY OF BRITISH TROOPS, By Telegraph— Association— .(Received April 23, 12.30 a.m.) London, April 22. The importance of Hill 60, east of Ypres, which the British have captured, is due to its forming a screen for Zandpoudre, five kilometres to the east, where the German artillery is posted. Zandpoudre is the highest hill in the district, and is the key to the German position in Flanders, which has thus been deprived of its main protection. It was a close race between sappers on either side, for half an hour later the enemy would have exploded a mine under the British trenches. The attack was carefully concealed, and the enemy was surprised. ■ . The hill was exploded on Saturday evening, and the British massed guns raked the shattered trenches. British infantry took the first lino with small opposition, but tho second line was held in great strength. The Germans fought stubbornly, and were only overcome by tho irresistible dash and bravery of the British, who, with reinforcements, set about to repair the captured trenches. The preparations for defence were continued throughout tho night under a terrible rain of shrapnel from the enemy. At dawn the Germans counter-attacked, and the fight lasted all day. As the enemy, in massed formation, swarmed across the plain, they were decimated by shrapnel. The British machine guns swept them down, yet they re-formed repeatedly, and more than once reached the British trenches, where hot work with bayonet, rifle, and machine gun kept them out. Finally the enemy, their spirit broken, retired. The British losses were less heavy than was at first feared. The mine which exploded Hill 60 made the biggest crater on record. The British troops displayed unwavering tenacity. The German prisoners captured seemed wholly broken in spirit. They were of poor physique, and badly nourished.