THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2695, 15 February 1916, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

ADVANCE IN EASTERN CHAMPAGNE FIVE SUCCESSIVE COUNTER-ATTACKS BROKEN The High Commissioner reports:— London, February 13, 9.30 a.m. "Several German attempts were made against our lines in Belgium; all failed. The enemy penetrated a small salient of our line between Navarin and St. Souplet. Counter-attacks are still being delivered vainly by the enemy at the Butte de Mcsnil. We are advancing in the eastern portion, and taking more prisoners. . , "There have been futile enemy infantry attacks in the Vosges, north of Weisembach." The High Commissioner reports:— London, February 13. 5 p.m. "North-east of Soissons, following on a bombardment, the Germans reached tho IVencli trenches near the Crouy Road, but an immediate counter-attack ropclted them, leaving dead and prisoners. "In the Champagne district, north-east of Butte de Mesnil, the enemy directed five successive counter-attacks on the evening 'of yesterday, and in the course of the night, on the trenches which were captured by the French. All were repulsed." REPORT FROM THE BRITISH FRONT. (Rec. February 14, 8.25 p.m.) London, February 13. Sir Douglas Haig renorts that there has been considerable Artillery and aerial activity on both sides about Authville, the Hohenzollern redoubt, Ciuinchy, Armentieres, north of Hooge, and Ypres. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (Rcc. February 14, 10.30 p.m.) Paris, February 14. A French official communique states: — "A series of Gorman attacks were delivered in the Artois region from Hill 140 to the Buvillc-la Folie Boad. The first was made westward of the lull in the morning, and four others nt different points during the afternoon. Our curtain of fire stopped three; the fourth penetrated our first line trench westward of Hill 140. * Wo immediately counter-attacked, and drove them out. "The enemy also secured a footing in portions of our advanced trenches eastward of Tahure to the Somme-Py Boad. We carried out a destructive fire against Um onemy's organisation# northward pf Fo«r do Paris, in tho Ar« £,oUr '^ us iW tilleu! crushed wn. wow attack e&stcaiA of Sennois, in Alsace."

GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec, February 14, 8.25 p.m.) 3 Amsterdam, Fobruary 13. A German official communique states: "Strong reconnoitring forces penetrated tlie enemy's trenches and caused effective explosions south-east of Boesinghe (Flanders). "Tlie British, during the last two days, shelled Lille with good material result. Wo suffered no loss or military damage. "In tho fighting in the Vim/ district, on February 9, we captured 682 men, and thirty-five machine-guns. "AVo stormed seven hundred metres of trenches south of Saint- Marieapy, in Champagne, taking prisoner 206. "Two severe enemy attacks north-west of Messinas failed. _ Our air squadrons heavily bombarded the enemy's communications and railway buildings at Lapane and Poperinghe (Flanders)."