WHAT SCOTSMEN CAN DO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 20

WHAT SCOTSMEN CAN DO.

LONDON, June 1. A remarkable passage in Colonel Churchill's speech revealed the fate of the premier division of Scotland at the battle of Loos. Nine thousand five hundred went into the fight, and of these 6000 were killed or wounded. Some of the battalions lost three* quarters of their strength, and some nearly all, but they achieved their task and gained some of the most im= portant positions, which were only lost at a later stage when they were handed over to other troops. A batta* lion of Cameron Highlanders went into action 30 officers and 850 men strong. The colonel (named Cameron of Lochiel), the adjutant, and 110 men survived. Yet they took and held their objective. Four successive lines were swept away, but the fifth went on. The remnant of the troops shat= tered in the first day's battle were col= lected, and 1200 of them asked two days later to make another attack. They went over the parapet and re= newed the attack with the utmost elan. Colonel Churchill added: "Talk about Balaclava, or the charge of the Fusiliers at Albuera. These events pale before the deeds done in the pre° sent day by divisions raised by the British Islands. Only a jejune ac* count of their glory can be published. Four battalions of this premier divb sion of Scotland were disbanded and merged into other battalions. A South African brigade has taken their places, and the Scottish officers and men are scattered to the winds, regardless of their regimental ties." GERMAN ATTACK. SEEKING ANOTHER PASSAGE. PARIS, June 1. Semi-official : The Germans are apparently renouncing all hope of taking the fortified zone between Avocourt Wood and Hill 304. They are now seeking another passage through the Chuttancourt district. We have eased the enemy's pressure on Mort Homme. The Germans are hurling 300,000 shells of the largest calibre daily on the narrow section between the west bank of the Mouse and a point north-east of Mort Homme. It is computed that since February 21 the Germans havo brought up to the Verdun front nearly a million men. June 2. A communique states : Tdie enemy, after several fruitless as-

saults between Thiaumont Farm and Vaux, penetrated onr first line of trenches between Douaumont Fort anl Vaux Pond. Elsewhere our machine guns broke the German attack with heavy losses. A German aeroplane bombed the open town of Bar-le-Duc, killing 18 civilians and wounding 25, of whom 15 children were killed and wounded. A FRENCH SUCCESS. LONDON, June 1. A German communique states that the French captured 400 yards of the German trenches south-east of Mort Homme. Other assaults in the same region were repulsed. i PRESSING FOR A DECISION. ' APPALLING SLAUGHTER. LONDON, June 1. i Reports show that the- Germans are redoubling their efforts to secure a decision at Verdun, having brought up masses of fresh troops, totalling 100,000, since the 20th ult., as well as vast reserves of artillery and ammunition. Fighting is continuous, day and night, and the slaughter is appalling. Sixty trains, loaded with : German wounded, have passed through i Aix4a-Chapelle. ; OFFICERS’ SERVANTS. ; LONDON, June 1. j In the House of Commons, replying to * Colonel Churchill, Mr Tennant said : “ Our ' supply service is the admiration of the ; French army, despite the difficulties as i compared with France. It is impractic- ' able to raise the strength of a battalion ;to 1200. It would involve great incon- ! veniences and changes. No other belligeI rent has converted cavalry to infantry, i Our officers total 120.000, including those of the dominions, but excluding India, j Their servants and grooms are available j for duty in the ranks. When the army moves, officers’ servants have more work | than other men.”