THE FIGHTING ON THE MEUSE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2726, 22 March 1916, Page 5

THE FIGHTING ON THE MEUSE

DESULTORY BOMBARDMENTS

ZEEBRUGGE RAIDED BY THE AIRMEN

The High Commissioner reports:—

London, March 20,' 4.20 p.m. "West of the Meu6e the enemy has directed a somewhat violent bombardment on the region south of Malaucourt i "East of the Meuse> after artillery preparation, the Germans launched a email attack, which was completely checked. "There haa been an intermittent bombardment in the region of Vaux. "In the (Woeuvre the night was calm, except for a lively cannonade, at Les Ep'arges."

■ London, March 21,1.80 a.m. "West of the Meuse the Germans endeavoured to enlarge their front of •ettack. n _. _ ■ - "A new division delivered a violent attack with liquid fire between Avoncourt and Melancourt. Our curtain of fire inflicted severe losses on the enemy, who were able to make only slight progress in the eastern portion of the Melancourt Wood. .-.■■' ■ _ "On the nights of March 19-20, French aeroplanes dropped 25 bombs on the station at Bun-Sur-Meuse." FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. : ' (Rec. March 21, 9.15 p.m.) ' \ ■ : ■ Paris, March 21. A communique statse:—"Our artillery at Haute Chevauchee destroyed some of the German reservoirs, .releasing clouds of sulphurous gas. _ ■ "A fresh German division, using flaming liquids, attempted to extend their front west of the Meuse, between Avoncourt and Melancourt.'- Our guns broke up the attack,- inflicting heavy losses."

N GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE,

(Rec. March 21, 9.15 p.m.) , . «■ London, March 21. A Gorman, official communique, states: "With tho purpose of preventing our further preparations against the enemy's defensive works in. the vicinity of Douaumont fort and the village.of Vaux, the French attacked, the village and portions of our newly brought-up division,' but were repulsed with heavy IOSS6 Tbe communique claims that seven more of the Allies' aeroplanes have been shot down. _ :

THE SHATTERED ASSAULT ON VERDUN

ENEMY'S STRENGTH STEADILY DIMINISHING,

By' Megraph—Press Association— Copyright

("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

London, Maroh 20.

The Paris Press is convinced that the German strength is steadily'diminishing and cannot repeat the fury of the first attack on Verdun. A semi-official note says that successive waves of assault, at least a division strongly assailed Mort Homme, but could not gain a footing on the hill Tile movements of troops suggests that an attack on the French right wing is impending, but every day is being utilised to strengthen tlhe position.

FUTILE ATTEMPTS TO BREAK THROUGH AT VAUX.

("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

■ • ' (Rea. March 21, 5.5 p.m /) , London, March 20. The "Times" correspondent at Paris states that the enemy continues to smiander men on further attempts to penetrate the French position in the neighbourhood of Vaux. Tfceso isolated' attacks are difficult to reconcile with any* comprehensive plan. -

FRANCO-BRITISH FELICITATIONS,

(Rec. March 21, 9.15 p.m.) London, March 21

Sir Douglas Hais (the. British Commander-in-Chief in France) has telegraphed to General Jolfre: "W.hilo deploring the less of gallant Frenchmen m the "reat battle, the British Army desires to assure you of its admiration for performances of the French Army at Verdun, where Germany has cliosen to break her strength'in vain against the unconquerable soldiers of '^To'this message General Joft're replied: "The French Army is confident tint it cm obtain -results from which all the Allies may reap an advantage, and remembers that its recent call upon the comradeship of the British Army met wifchan immediate and complete response.".

NO BRITISH OR BRITISH COLONIALS AT VERDUN.

(Rec. March 21, 11.25 p.m.) ■■■"'. Paris,' March 21. _ It is definitely stated that no British. Australians, or Canadians were in the fighting at Verdun. '

BIG AIR-RAID ON ZEEBRUGGE

ATTACK BY FIFTY AEROPLANES.

Tlfe High Commissioner reports:-.

London, March 20. 1.55 p.m. The Admiralty announces .—ln the early hours 6f tills moi'hlnß combing '•»v*s of, aDproxiniateiy. fifty British, French, and Belgian aeroplanes and

seaplanes, accompanied by fifteen fighting machines, left and 1 attacked the German seaplane station at Zeebrugge, and the aerodrome at Hourtado, near Zeebrugge. Considerable- damage appears to have been. done. The machines averaged 200 pounds of bombs. They returned safely. . One Belgian offi=er ia reported'to have been seriously wounded All the British machines vere naval.

Ey Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyricat / Paris, Mareli 20. Fifteen French aeroplanes successfully .co-operated with tho British and Delgian aviators at '1 o'clock in I the morning, and dropped bombs on the aviation ground at Hourtade.