OFFICIAL MESSAGES.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13731, 20 March 1915, Page 6

OFFICIAL MESSAGES.

OPENING OF 1915 CAMPAIGN IN

FRANCE.

The Prime Minister has received th« following by cable from the High Commissioner :—

London, March 18, 8.50 p.m. Army casualties are announced as follows: —

Men: Killed 121, wounded 200, missing 131, prisoners 180. Canadian officers: Killed 2, wounded 1. Paris reports that a British observer with the French forces sends an interesting account of operations in the Ohampagne region during the last three weeks. He points out the sustained nature of the effort that is being made with the object of keeping a constant pressure on the enemy's first line of defence, affecting the use of-the railway from Bazancourt to Ohallerange, and" wearing down the enemy's reserves of men and ammunition. February 15th, it is contended, marks the opening of the 1915 campaign, the nrst phase of which is found worthy, of note for the future writing of the history of the, war. The account concludes. Hitherto the French have progressed steadiJr, not beinc: forced back on any day Behind the line held in the morning, despiio iiinumeiable countw-atftacks. It is not merely a question of groartd, but of our increasing moral euperiority"

London, March 19, 12.60 a.m Paris reports that a Zeppelin discharged bombs on Calais, aiming at the railway station and killing seven omployees. No material damage was done to the station. . , In Mie Champagne region the Irencn realised appreciable gains norjh-east ot Mesnil, and the enemy's counter-attack WaNortr o feVcrdnn the French captured two trenches, making some of the onemy prisoners. .„■ At Eartmantisweilerkopf the Allies gained gronnfl. The enemy's losses were heavy, their trenches being filled with dead.