STRUGGLE IN THE WEST.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12541, 12 May 1915, Page 5

STRUGGLE IN THE WEST.

i Br Elkjthio Tjelegbafh—Copybioht.]

BRITISH ATTACK AT LA BASSEE

GERMANS PREPARING ANOTHER ONSLAUGHT.

Kec-ived May 11, at KT.3O p.m. « Berlui, May IJ. V German official report says the Vu-do-Frencli attack delivered south-. ' wc r t . of Lille in reply to the Gorman success in Galicia. was directed against t| le German positions east of Flenr-b-iis east of Richeljourg, Vermelles, \bhin. Neufville. St. Laurent, and i,.., r Arras. At least four lrcsh army c oi'i)< besides old troops, made repeated ■ittacKs. These were everywhere remilsed with very heavy losses, especially to the British. The Germans took '-{)o prisoners. The enemy occupied our advanced trenches between Alency and Neufville. Counter-attacks arc proceeding. ir „- ii

London, May 11. Sir John French reports:—Despite tlic eneniv's repeated attacks last week, ~ur line to the east of Yprcs is practical! v unchanged. The enemy madelive unsuccessful attacks en Sunday with verv heavy losses. The lighting on the first army's "front to-day was confined to artillery. Heceived May 11, at 11.5 p.m. London, May 11. The Dailv News' Dunkirk correspondent savs a great British attack at La commenced at dawn on Saturday Heaw artillery duels were fought •it'DailleuL "at 15 miles and lasted seven hours on Saturday. They were resumed at three on Sunday morning and are still railing. Under the big guns the iufantrv is pressing onward for a great thrtist 'at the La Bassec stronghold. The French are supporting the British n-ith great vigor. Received Mav 11, at 11.30 p.m. Paris, May 11. The Anglo-French offensive covers 25 miles. The. advanced French sector is more than at Neuve Chapelle. The German' line protects a valuable railway system, and if.-this is pierced the Allies 'would threaten the German communications. . The position is exceptionally strong. | consisting of slag heaps connected by a maze of barbed wire and communication trenches. Received Mav 11, at 11.5 p.m. - Dunkirk. May 11. The Germans are preparing another offensive in the Yprcs region. The troops are concentrating at Courtrai and Lille. At Ronlers, also, there are hcavv infantry reinforcements. One hundred new. Krupp guns are massed at Ingelmunster, whence they can he quickly moved by railroad almost- in anv direction.. Received Mav 12, at 9.25 a.m. Paris, May 11. A communique states: "We repulsed an attempt at night to retake the captured earthworks at Saint Georges. Our nroEress northward of Arras continues. We have invested Carency on three sides, and have catpured-230 more prisoners and several machine guns. The Germans now have precarious communications -with Carency. The enemy's reinforcements brought in motor-cars from Lens and Douai did not enable him to regain the upper hand. Our fire smashed four strong counter-attacks vesterday afternoon at Ixms, Xotrc Dame de Lorette. Touchez, Neuville, and Saint Vast, with yery heaw German losses. We also gained around, taking one hundred" prisoners, t'p to last evening upwards of 50 officers have beeri captured." London. May 11 03-5 p.m.) Paris reports that north of Arras, despite several German, counter-attacks. the Allies' gains were maintained, and prisoners taken number over 3000, including 40 officers. In two days the Ai'ies tcok ten guns and 50 mitrailleuses.

London. May 11. TV Germans shelled Bergues- and killed 12 and wounded 11. The Allies'. batteries silenced "the enemy. An aviator bombed and fired the hangar at Maubeuge. Near St. George's the enemy made a night attack to retake a position, but ivere unsuccessful.

North of Arras the Allies are progressing.

Received Mav 12, at 0.5. p.m . London. May 11

A communique says that the enemy sustained during the night a fresh-set-back, their counter-attacks being completely repulsed with very heavy lcsscs.

tjcnuau mms. after shelling Dunkirk harmlessly, threw eleven shells into Bergues.'' killing twelve and wounding cloven persons. Our batteries stopped their bombardment. _ A French aeroplane set fire to a dirigible shed at Maubciige. . The Germans brought down a British aeroplane, and the British brought c'orni two Germans. ' ■