IMPORTANT COUP IN THE CHAMPAGNE DISTRICT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2413, 19 March 1915, Page 5

IMPORTANT COUP IN THE CHAMPAGNE DISTRICT

RIDGE SEIZED BY THE ALLIES GERMANS' DESPERATE EFFORTS TO RETAKE IT (Reo. March 18, 10-.15 p.m.) Paris, March 17, Official.—"Violent fighting continues at Camay and near Albert (south of La Basses), around a cavity produced by the explosion of a mine chamber oil March 15. Progress continues in the woods between Perthes and Souain. "The position won north of Meanil on March 16 gives us possession of the military crest to the west of Ridge 196 for a length of 800 metres (866 yards). This advance secures the ground overlooking the northern side of the great ridge extending from Perthes to Maisons. "The Germans, jierceiving the importance of the position, mado violent efforts to recapture it, supported by Prussian Guards. The mitrailleuses literally mowed down the attackers, and only a few regained the trenches." CA briefer report on the operations at Mesnil has been received from the High Commissioner.] HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REVIEW OF THE BATTLE FRONT. The High Commissioner reports (London, March 17, 4.55 p.m.):— Paris reports:—Tho Belgians have progressed at the Yser, repelling a German counter-attack. North of Arras the enemy unsuccessfully counter-attacked a trench on the spur of a hill at Notre Dame do Lorette. .Soissons and Reims liavo been bombarded, two shells, reaching Reims Cathedral. In the Champagne region, north of Mesnil, on a front of about five hundred yards, an important ridge is held by the Allies. In Alsace, a French aviator bombarded the Colmar barracks. LA. Press Association message covers the same ground, but ivit'i less detail.]

ARTILLERY INFERNO AT NEUVE CHAPELLE '

(R°c. March IS, 11.35 p.m.) London, March 18. ■ A British oflicor stated that 300 guns were engaged in the British attack 011 Nmive Chapelle, firing as fast as possible. The Gorman trenchcs seemed to be on lire under an unbroken line of bursting shells. The enemy's entanglements were blown heyond the trenches. .which were reduced to pulp of earth; boards, wire, and equipment weed interniinzled with tlio German dead. ' " TV IWlirliM W .Wrb l,»m 'hr wbfl patulm awe svlms they. vailed Jar tue otiar to ch»*g«,