FRENCH PROGRESS IN CAILLETTE WOOD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2740, 7 April 1916, Page 5

FRENCH PROGRESS IN CAILLETTE WOOD

THE RECENT BATTLES

TERRIBLE LOSSES INFLICTED ON THE

GERMANS ■ . By Telegraph.—Press Association—Oonyriglit Paris, April 5. . • 'A communique states: "we'progressed in the communication trenches northward of Caillette Wood. • "Our scouting aeroplanes in the Verdun district Drought down a doublemotored aeroplane near Haubfoumeaux Pond. Another enemy machino fell near Tilly Wood, and a third dived vertically to the ground. ~ ' "A French air.squadron dropped fourteen bombs on Natillois railway station and five on bivouacs at Damvillers." THE FLIGHT TO CRAUFLOUR WOOD . ; . t Paris, April 5. • A semi-official message, describing, the attack preceding the flight of the German remnant to Craufiour Wood, states that the enemy's object was to turn our positions on Douaumont plateau. The majority of the attackers were annihilated before reaching our lines. It was noteworthy that the troops were of inferior quality. They advanced shoulder to shoulder in the foremost ranks, and were sacrificed to facilitate the'advance of' the second masses, which were composed of better fighters._ These brutal and futile tactics show a disregard of human material, contrasting with the French methods of sparing men. The enemy's losses were never so terrible as during the recent repulses at Avocourt, Douaumont, and Vaux. . . . • VERDUN THE CENTRE OF GERMAN ACTIVITY BOLSTERING UP THE CROWN PRINCE'S REPUTATION. ("Times" arid Sydney "Siin" Services.). London, April 5. Colonel'Repington, the "Time" military correspondent, says: "Verdun ig the chief theatre of the fighting on the Western front. Hero the main masses of the German artillery are posted, at Septsargcs and Beaumont. The northem flank positions at Avocoiirt and Malancourt, on the west, and at Vaux the east are being utilised to aid the northern attack. The German tositio'n on the Wocuvrc plain is. bad. Since the great Vaux attack failed, the Crown Prince has resorted to his favourite method of disconnected partial attacks as in the Argonno, where he once attacked with twenty-six battalions belonging to twenty-one different regiments. Similar attacks were delivered at Verdun; the enemv using divisions one by one. In the Argonne the Crown Prince received all the troops he needed. He was honing to connect his name with victory. Now the entire German line has been drained to prevent his failure. But for his birth he would have been relieved of ; command long since." • - THE WAR.PRECAUTIONS.IN HOLLAND "FOR THE STRICT MAINTENANCE OF DUTCH NEUTRALITY" . . The Hague, April 5. After a secret sitting of the Second Chamber of the Netherlands Parliament, the Government announced the suspension of furlough for officers arid men of the Army and Navy. The precaution is for the strict maintenance of neutrality, and not a sequel to any political complications. IS A RETIREMENT OF THE GERMAN LINE IMMINENT? . ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) Amsterdam, 'April 5. The "Telegraaf," discussing Holland's military preparations, thinks that the Government regards an Allied offensive as imminent, and wishes to secure her frontier against the retreating German troops. (Rec. April 6, 8.30 p.m. Amsterdam, 'April 5. The "Telegraaf" says that Hollnnd'n precautions are simply to onauropro* teotion acainst German concentrations on the frontiers.