ASPHYXIATING BOMBS USED BY THE GERMANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15901, 26 April 1915, Page 7

ASPHYXIATING BOMBS USED BY THE GERMANS.

FUMES COMPEL FRENCH TROOPS TO RETIRE. BRITISH PRESERVE THEIR FRONT INTACT. FRESH ATTACKS ON TRENCHES REPULSED. Wellington, April 25. The High Commissioner reports from London on April 24 :— "Sir John French reports that on Thursday the enemy heavily bombarded the French troops on the British left, north of the Ypres salient, using many appliances for the production of asphyxiating gas. Tho quantity produced indicates that long and deliberate preparation had been made for the employment of devices contrary to Tho Hague Convention, to which the enemy subscribed. The false statement lately made by the Germans that the allies had been using such gas is now explained. Obviously it was an effort to diminish neutral criticism in advance." " Overwhelmed by the fumes, the French retired upon the canal. The British front remained intact except at the extreme left, where, the British troops were obliged to readjust their line conformable with the new French line. "Two fresh attacks on the British trenches east of Ypres were repulsed. Fighting continues north of Ypres. Two German aeroplanes have been brought down."

EFFECT OF GASES FELT FOR OVER A MILE.

GROUND REGAINED BY VIGOROUS COUNTER-ATTACK. Wellington, April 24. An earlier message from the High Commissioner stated: "At the bend of the Yser, north of Dixmude, the Belgians repulsed an attack directed on Chateau Vogogne, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. " North of Ypres the Germans employed large quantities of asphyxiating bombs, the effect of which was felt two kilometres (over a mile) behind the allies' lines. They succeeded in compelling the allies to fall back in the direction of the Yser Canal to the west and Ypres to the south. " The enemy's attack was checked. A vigorous counter-attack enabled the allies to regain ground, and many German prisoners were taken."

RETIREMENT NOT OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE.

COMBINED COUNTER-ATTACKS PROGRESSING. (Received April 25, 7.30 p.m.) Paris, April 24. An official communique states: "The retirement at Botsinghe was not of serious consequence. Combined counter-attacks by British, French, and Belgian troops are progressing. The British and French arc progressing between Steenstractc and Ypres, along the Poelcapclle Road."