THE LULL IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2732, 29 March 1916, Page 5

THE LULL IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

MINE-FIGHTING AND ARTILLERY DUELS

GERMANS ATTEMPT A SURPRISE ATTACK

The High Commissioner reports:— 1 London, March 27, 3.40 a.m."In the Argonne, mine-fighting was to the 'Allies' advantage at La Fille Morte. " 7 ','There has been bomb-fighting in the Courtes Chausses sector. "West the Meuse the night was relatively calm. "To the east there has been uninterrupted artillery duel on the Douau-* mont-Yaux front. ■ "In the Woeuvre there has been a vory violent bombardment notably in the MoulainvilleDechatillon region, •without infantry action." London, March 27, 11.55 p.m. "Between the Somme and the Avre, in the neighbourhood of Maucourt, the Germans, after an intense bombardment tried a surprise attack on the French first lineof trenches, but completely failed. . "In the Argonne there has been continued artillery activity against various pointsvof the enemy's front, notably in the Cheppy Wood 6ector. "West of the Meuse a fairly intense bombardment has been maintained on pur front at Bethincourt, Mort Homme, Cumieres; also east of the Meuse', in the Vaux-Douaumont region. -.-.', "There have been several artillery gusts in the Woeuvre, but no infantry action." FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE.. \ . By Telegraph-Jresa Association-Copyright ' (Roc. March 28, 9.35 p.m.) . . • - Paris, March 27 A French official communique states: "After an intense bombardment between the Somme and the Avre, in- the neighbourhood of Maucourt, the enemy attempted a coup-de-main on our front line. The attack completely failed : "Our big guns dispersed marching troops in the direction of Exermont Chatel, in the Argonne, and blew up an .ammunition depot. "There has been an intense bombardment west of the Meuse between Bethincourt, Mort Homme, Cumieres, and also east of the Meuse in the VauxDouaumont region. "We bombarded at long range the enemy depots at Heudicort, south of Vigneulles, demolished a string of trucks, and ignited buildings."GERMAN TRENCHES CARRIED BY ASSAULT BRITISH SCORE 1 AT ST. ELOI. The High Commissioner reports:— London, March 28, 12.15 p.m. "South of Neuville St. Vaast, and near the Hoheuzollern Redoubt, there has been successful crater fighting. "Opposite Hulluch the enemy exploded mines, damaging our trenches, but we hold the crater which was formed. "After mine explosions the infantry assaulted the German salient at St* Eloi, successfully taking the front and second line of trenches to the extent of 600 yards. The enemy sustained heavy casualties. We took prisoner two officers and one hundred and sixty-eight men." : I , GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. , (Rec. March 28, 9.35 p.m.) , . London, March 27. A wireless message from Berlin states: "A British mine damaged our position on the St. Eloi-Ypres front, blowing up over one hundred yards of trenches, and causing casualties. "The English have again, shelled Lens."