SEVERE FIGHTING CONTINUES IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2704, 25 February 1916, Page 5

SEVERE FIGHTING CONTINUES IN THE WEST

PERSISTENT ATTACKS NORTH OF VERDUN DESPERATE BLOW AT THE FORTRESS . The High Commissioner reports: ' • London, February 23.5.20 p.m. "In the-Artois region the French regained some of tli6 trenches they had lost at the Bois do Givcnchy. ""North of -Verdun a German bombardment, energetically countered, continned throughout the night Infantry actions, have occurrod along a front of fifteen kilometres, fighting being continued with great .violence on the right .bank of the Meuse, south-east of Herbe Bois. The French evacuated the village of Bois d'Haumont, holding, however, the approaches, after a fierce encounter which inflicted serious, losses. A counter-attack enabled the French to .re-take the greater portion of Bois de Caurres, which is situated on the salient which the Germans occupied yesterday north of Beaumont. A 6trong Gorman' attack, which was directed on Herbe Bois, was stopped dead by a ourtain of fire. ''According to the statements of prisoners, some of the enemy's unite were completely destroyed in the course of theso actions. _ A slow, persistent artillery duel continues in the region of Haute? Oliarrieres and Fromencey." London, February 24, 2.5 a.m. • "South-east of the wood at Oarspach, in Alsace, the enemy gained a footing, but was immediately ejected." FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUES HIGH GERMAN LOSSES AT VERDUN. (Rec. February 2-1, 9.25 p.m.) Paris, February 23. A French official communique states: —"Seven permau army vorps aro engaged in'the Verdun battle, which is increasing in intensity along twentyfivo miles of front. There have been extremely high German losses.'' (Rec. February 24, 10.25 p.m.) Paris, February 23. A communique states:—"The German attack north of Verdun has developed as foreseen into a most important action, for which powerful preparation has been made. ■ The battle continued with growing intensity, nid was vigorously maintained by our _troops, who inflicted extremely high losses. A ceaseless bombardment was directed along a front extending from Malancourt to Etan, and our artillery replied with equal violence. . "Successive German infantry attacks wero directed all day long between Brabaiit-sitr-lfeuse and Ornes, the enemy employing a. very large number of nion, comprising \he troops of seven army corps. "We repulsed all the attacks on Haiimont village, and crushed the enemy's offensive at Caures Wood by. counter-attacks. "The enemy penetrated the Wavrilie Wood, east of Caures, after a series of sanguinary attacks. Our counter-atlaoks stopped the enemy's assaults north of Caures." THE GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. February 24, 9.25 p.m.) „, . , . . . • <w London, February 23. A.German official communique states:— ,T vVe attacked north of Verdun along a front of six miles, aid penetrated a distance of 1 mile and threequarters, capturing three thousand prisoners and considerable war material." ■• BIG FORTRESS HEAVILY REINFORCED. (Rec. February 24, 9.25 p.m.) Paris, February 23. The Paris "Temps" states that the Gorman attacks have been advanced to the lines of Verdun, and are being carried qnt, along a •five-kilometres front in order to .test the defences, but the fortress is a big.mouthful, and hasncw been reinforced by field forces under General Humbert, ono rf the most energetic leaders. GAS ATTACK SOUTH OF LA BASSEE ' ENEMY-SCORES SMALL GAINS AT HEAVY COST. Rotterdam, February 23. After the great losses on the Yser, the Germans concentrated troops lower down the line, and launched several attacks southward of La Bassee. Assisted by tho wind, the Germans directed volumes of gas over the French trenches, and succeeded in occupying poitions at heavy cost. The/French "75V toro gaps in the advancing infantry The Allied airmen are directing special attention to a new German road behind the Yser. EXAGGERATED REPORTS FROM YPRES. ■ Amsterdam, February 23. The "Telegraaf" says the Germans are exaggerating their achievements nt Yprcs, with the idea of producing an impression in Germany. Great numbers of wounded are comiii? in. The frontier is rigorously closed.