Fight for A Beacon Near Metz

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 April 1915, Page 3

Fight for A Beacon Near Metz

GERMAN LINE OF SUPPLY UNDER FIRE. (From London Times Correspondent./ Paris, Feb. 15. The German attack on the beacon of Xon, near Pont-a-Mousson (mentioned in this afternoon's French communique is to be connected with recent activity of the French artillery in that quarter. On Friday last the French shelled the railway station of Arnaville, through which pass all the supplies for the German Army operating against St. Miliiel and the heights of the Meuse. The bombardment of this station, which lias occurred at regular intervals, is intended to check the fluw of supplies. r.Mst Friday's bombardment would Mem to have been successful, for the Germans clearly decided that an attempt must be made to shift the guns. Hence the attack on the beacon of Xon the great hill standing between the valleys of the Moselle and the Seille. where they come nearest together. The Germans at one time yesterday drove the French advanced post off the top of the beacon and out of the iuimlet of Norroy on its slopes. This hamlet is not to be confused with the village of Norroy on the other bank of the' Moselle.

The summit of the hill was, however recaptured, and if all the ground lost has not yet been rewon, at any rate the Germans have been prevented From achieving their object—namely, the seizing of a point from whence they could bring effective artillery fire to bear on the French.

Arnaville is on the French frontier, about 10 miles south-west of Metz, and just west of the point where tlie River Moselle touches tlie frontier. The river Seille crosses the frontier 'a few mile® south-east of the Moselle.