HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16433, 12 July 1915, Page 6

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLES

LONDON, July 9. From Feyenhaye to Bois le Petre the Allies recaptured 150 metres of trenches which were lost on Sunday. At Croix des Carnys the enemy attacked on a front of 350 metres, after a bombardment with air torpedoes and liquid fire, gaining a footing in our first line, but were driven off by an immediate counter-attack, only maintaining positions in our front trench. In the Vosges region, between Vandesapt and Fontenelle, we gained a marked success. : After chasing the enemy from a portion of the earthworks captured on June 22, we took all the German defences on a large hill from the south-east of Fontenelle to the Launois and Moyen Moutiher road, the total gain representing 700 metres. We took prisoner 19 officers and 767 unwounded men belonging to seven battalions, besides war material. Ottawa reports that the Canadian Expeditionary Forces are being increased to 150.000. LONDON, July 10. General Sir John French reports on Friday that since out successful enterprise north of Ypres was reported on the 6th, the enemy's repeated attempts to retake the lost trenches have been stopped by the co-operation of the British and French artillery. This morning, after a bombing duel lasting for 48 hours, the enemy fell back along the canal, enabling us to extend our gains. The enemy's losses were severe.

LONDON, July 10 (4.55 p.m.l

German attempted attacks on positions on the railway from Angres to Souohez "were repulsed. Grenade fighting continues at the Labyrinth without modifying the position. In Lorraine the enemy's attack with a battalion near Llintry was repulsed. French aeroplanes bombarded the railway stations at Arnaville and Bavonville, also the military huts at Norrov. The French tonk 881 prisoners, including 21 officers, last Tuesday.

A remarkable instance of keenness for active service on the part of a 15-ycar-old lad has been brought to light in Melbourne by the reported death (killed in action) of Private _ Albeit Cramer. Privat" Cramer, who enlisted under the name of Bert Keddaway. was the son of Mrs Charles Cramer, of Fitzroy (Victoria), and attained his 15th birthday on July 20. 1914. The lad's mother was from the outset opposed to his enlistment, on account of his youth. Being determined, however, to take part in the war, young Cramer shouldered a ewag. and. with lOd in h : s pocket, walked as far as Albury (New South Walesl. From there he proceeded to Sydney, and enlisted, and was for six weeks in camp. A defect in his eyesight was pointed out to Cramer, who was told that- a slight operation would bo necessary before he could go to the war. This he declined to undergo, and returned to Melbourne, still determined to take part in the war. At test he was successful, and. enlisting as Bert Recldaway (the .latter being his mother's maiden name), he ioined the 6th Battalion. D. Company, and irot safely awav. News was recei:ed lately [/that he had beea killed in afition.