WESTERN THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 17492, 22 April 1915, Page 5

WESTERN THEATRE

high commissioner's bulletin AERIAL ACTIVITY nGHTEte AT SELL 60 COMPLETE BRITISH SUCCESS GAINED WITH HEAVY LOSS (Per United Press Association.) IVFI.LI N GTOX, April 21. The High Commissioner reports under date Loudon, April 20 (C.lO p.m.);—An improvement in the weather has resulted in an ineroase of activity in both our own and the enemy's air service. As usual (ho advantage in the exchanges is with us. In the Ypres district four hostile aeroplanes have been brought down iu the last three, days, two to us and two to tho French. On tho evening of tile 17th we exploded a mine under Hill GO. ou the Ypres-Comines railway, west of Zwarteleen. This was immediately followed by an attack which gained us possession of the whole of the enemy's trenches on the hill. The enemy suffered heavily by the explosion. We took two officers and fifteen men prisoners. Despite a, heavy bombardment, which caused many casualties, the trendies captured were put in a state of defence during tiie night. The enemy renewed the bombardment towards morning, and followed it by a determined counter-attack. This attack was pressed borne, anil, stiff hand-to-hand fighting ensued. Our infantry, lighting with great gallantry and determination and well supported by artildcry. drove off the enemy with complete success. Our losses were very heavy, hut (ho Gormans suffered still more severely, particularly by our machine guns, which caught them in close order in the open. Throughout the LSth the enemy repeatedly renewed the attacks, making desperate efforts to regain, tiie veryimportant position. Once he succcded in gaining a footing on the southern slopes of the hill, hui was promptly driven hack. By nightfall the whole hill was iu our hands, and the ground gained consolidated. This morning (hJ enemy’s attacks had ceased. GERMANS ON THE MOVE TROOPS ARRIVE IN BELGIUM (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright) ROTTKRDAM. April 21. Received April 21. 11.26 p.m. .Many train loads of German troops have arrievd in Belgium.