ARTILLERY DUELS ON THE VERDUN FRONT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2748, 17 April 1916, Page 5

ARTILLERY DUELS ON THE VERDUN FRONT

LITTLE INFANTRY FIGHTING SMALL ATTACK SOUTH OP DOUAUMONT Br Telearanh—Press Association—Cosyrlslit London, April U. A communique states is relatively calm at Verdun. A small Geiman attack south of Douaumont was completely repulsed. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORTS. TJie High Commissioner reports:— London, April 14, 8.5. p.m. A Paris official message states:—VOn the left bank of the Meuse last night the enemy delivered a. violent bombardment on our first lines west of Hfll 304. ■ .. ,',,,.. "On the right bank the Germanß, yesterday, at the end of the day, launched on our positions south of Douaumont a small attack, which was completely repulsed. , ■'The night was relatively calm except for a lively bombardment in the region south of Haudremont. "In the Woeuvre there is an artillery duel on the Moulaiville sector. "There is nothing important c wj report on the rest of the front. London, April 15, 5.55 p.m. "A French official message states, that north of Roye the enemy, cm a reconnaissance, attempted to reach our trenches in the region of Parvillers, but was dispersed by rifle fire. "West of the Meuse there was a rather lively bombardment of our post tions between Bois de Malancourt and Hill 304, Our batteries showed them selves very active at this point of the front, notably at west of Crow s Wood, and the points of passage along the Ferges Brook.! "East of the Meuse and the .Weeuvre the bombardment has been intermittent. , • ■ . • "There was no infantry action dining the night on the whole of the Verdun region. . • j „ "In the Vosges there have been some patrol contacts. A German reconnaissance suffered heavily by our fire south of the ridge at St. Marie-aux-Mines." - .. ■ FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ' ■ (Rec. April 16, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, April 14. A French official/communique states is merely artillery activity west and east of the Meuse." (Rec. Aptil 16, 11.15 p.m.) Paris, April 16. A French communique states: "There has been a somewhat lively bombardment of our positions between Malancourt wood and Hill 304. Our batteries showed great activity on this front.' \"A later reprt says that the enemy's operations at Verdun are confined to intense bombardment on both banks of the Meuse." A TASK BEYOND THE ENEMY'S STRENGTH GERMAN INACTION ANALYSED. Paris, April 13. A semi-official comment on the German explanation that bad visibility caused a slackening of the offensive at Verdun, says that the excuse is far too simple. 'The truth is that the resumption of the offensive on the Ut!y 10th, and 11th caused Germany considerable losses, and she must reconstruct her decimated units and fill the huge gaps in the ranks. The only result of the offensive were bloody hecatombs, the occupation of five hundred yards of trenches at the foot of Mort Homme, contrasting with the three miles on a five and a half mile front gained fro m February 21 to 24, which was, tho only other offensive on-the same scale. This was obviously due to the French defensive power increasing and the German offensive decreasing; also that the French material is constantly improving. Common-sense justifies the belief that the capture of Verdun is beyond the enemy's strength. ■ AN EXHORTATION BY' THE KAISER. i Paris, April 14. The Kai6er has issued the following exhortation to his troops:—"Tho treaty of 1871 was signed in Paris. Go forward, beloved soldiers. This time it jia the end. The treaty will bo signed in Verdun." REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH FRONT *' SUCCESSFUL MINIS AFFAIRS AND BOMBARDMENTS. By Teleßraph—Press Association—Oopyxißht (Rec. April 16, 0.5 p.m.) . London, April 14. • Sir Douglas Haig (the British Commander) reports:—"We exploded mines east of Vermeiles on Thursday evening, considerably damaging the enemy's position. ''•■■■ "We successfully bombarded the. neighbourhood of Souchez." (Rec. April 16, 11.15 p.m.) London, April 16. Sir. Douglas Haig reports: "Several small enemy bombing attacks on our craters at St. Eloi were repulsed. The enemy exploded five mines near the quarries, and at'-Hulluch. The. damage was slight." GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE.. (Rec. April 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 14. A German official message states:—''There is nothing to report at Verdun." . _ ' "A strong English advance on our crater positions southward of St. Eloi was completely repulsed. "An attempted attaclc waß made oon our positions at Mort Homme, but, thanks to our concentrated fire on both sides of the Meuse, the attacking waves brolte down, suffering the heaviest losses before our lines. A. few who penetrated our trenches were killed in the hand-to-hand fighting. GERMAN CONCENTRATION ON THE YSER WHERE THE NEXT GREAT BATTLE IS EXPECTED ("Times" and Sydnuy "Sun" Services.) (Rec. April 15, 5.15 p.m.) N ' , -''■■ .„ ~ , London, April 14. The "Daily Mail's" correspondent at Rotterdam states, that the British strength on the Ypres sector has given the enemy a rude shock. "In delivering a local attack on one reported 'weak position' he was Topulsed after afierce hand-to-hand fight/ German ti oops and guns continue to arrive on the Yser, where the next great battle is expected."