BRITISH CHARGE AT LA BASSEE

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 17

BRITISH CHARGE AT LA BASSEE

BELGIAN SUCCESS ON THE YSER.

GROUND LOST AT SOUCHEZ. PARIS,. June 14. A commhnique states : The Belgians crossed the Yser south of Dixmude, and organised their new position. They also destroyed a German blockhouse near Dixmude Chateau. We captured a German work east of Lorette, but lost portion of the trenches, north of Souchez sugar refinery, owing to a violent bombardment. THE BELGIAN OFFENSIVE. AMSTERDAM, June 14. Strong Belgian attacks drove back the line near Westende and northeastward of Nieuport. The German losses were severe. Heavy drafts of the enemy arrived at Ghent and Bruges on Friday and Saturday. Seventeen thousand old troops have returned there from the Yser, worn out. They complain of their heavy losses. DUNKIRK, June 15. The Belgians made a successful surprise attack on the Germans between Dixmude and Nieuport. The Germans, taken aback by the suddenness of the onslaught, were expelled from three lines of trenches, which the victors occupied and organised. A GERMAN CLAIM. BERLIN, June 14. A communique states : Two strong French attacks in massed formation against the Lorette Heights were repulsed with heavy losses. BRILLIANT CAMPAIGN AT ARRAS. LONDON, June 14. The Times military correspondent, re viewing the brilliant campaign at Arras, says that the striking facts are the skill with which the operations are directed and the great gallantry of the French. The Germans boast daily of success, but in point of fact they are beaten everywhere, and at every point, and they must have lost tens of thousands. They are unable to resist French science and impetuosity. The greatest credit is due to the artillery, but the heroic perseverance of the infantry is chiefly responsible for General Foch’s success. The Germans are unable to find sufficient troops to check the French, and the inference is that their reserves in the west are exhausted. They know that if they have withdrawn troops to other sectors their line is liable to reprisals. General French has personally thanked the Second Cavalry Division for its recent work in the firing line. He says: “The manner in which you stood against heavy artillery with little or no trench protection is nothing short of marvellous.” PROGRESS BY THE ALLIES. PARIS, June 15. Official ; We gained a further 150 metres east of Lorette, and progressed south-east of the Labyrinth. We arrested a German attack south-east of Hebuterne from the Serre-Mailly road. The enemy’s defeat was followed by a violent bombardment, inflicting heavy losses in the Quennevieres district. Our progress in Lorraine continues uninterruptedly. We advanced at Ember Menil and Parroy Forest.

ALLIES’ PROGRESS IN OTHER PARTS FIERCE FIGHTING IN GALICIA BATTLE NEAR GRODEK STILL RAGING MONTENEGRINS AND SERBIANS advancing