The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 30 March 1916, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY

Russian Offensive—Enemy Position Captured — Both Armies Using Gas — Fierce Fighting at Verdun The Russians report' lively, artillery actions along "the whole of the eastern front. They have captured a number of enemy positions north of Dvinsk, and successes in other sectors are ' reported. Asphyxiating gases were used on both sides. It is reported that the Austrianshave evacuated Czernovitz, the Ppital of the Austrian province Bukovina. .. -~. There has been further fierce fighting in the Verdun region. A violent bombardment on the west of the Meuse, which lasted the whole, of Wednesday, was followed by several unsuccessful German attacks. Advices from Berlin state that the failure oj the German forces in the attack at Verdun has had a disastrous effect on public opinion in Germany. It is reported that the Russian Black Sea Fleet has destroyed 21 enemy vessels laden with, foodstuffs, one being a 7000-ton / steamer. t The Norwegian press is protesting against the submarining of neutral vessels by Geimany. Dutch mistrust of Germany is also indicated by the announcement that the Netherlands Lloyds Company has suspended overseas traffic until Germany clearly defines its aims. SATURDAY Battles in East—Bombardment at Verdun — Skirmishing Near Salonika Reports from the eastern front state that fierce battles are raging between the Russians and Germans for the possession of railways which are of great strategic importance. The Russians haye1 captured some enemy trenches at one point. The- enemy bombardment in the Verdun region, west of the Meuse, has been relaxed, the ; enemy not renewing the unsuccessful attempts to pierce the French line. Reports from Paris state that Verdun is now absolutely ' sheltered, and that the defenders are in the best condition to continue to withstand the enemy's attacks. ■ ■ A French force has driven the Germans from,some heights on the Greek side of the Servian border. Four more vessels have been sunk by the enemy's submarines. The number includes one British, one French, and two Norwegian vessels. MONDAY Duel in North Sea—German Raider Sunk by Gun Fire —British Armed Ship Torpedoed — Submarine Caught and Fighting on Salonika Front , An' engagement between the British armed merchantman Alcantara and the German raider Greif took place in the North Sea on February 29. The German ship was sunk by gunfire, ' land the Alcantara was torpedoed. Seventy-four British lives were lost, and 180 Germans. The Greif was disguised as a ' Norwegian vessel.

'After the duel British destroyers sunk a German submarine. Fighting on the Salonika front is tending to develop into a general action along the whole li^e.. Great aerial activity is , i r-yJ^Kdisplayed by both sides. r the moißfc'tion of 40 new regiments, bririfitplg the strength of the army •to 456,000 men. Intermittent fighting in the Verdun zone continues to be reported, but there has been no decisive engagement. Fuither heavy German losses are reported. The London, Brighton, and South Coast Company's steamer Sussex, was attacked and damaged by a submarine near the French coast, but did not sink. An explosion occurred, and, later, a lifeboat which was taking off- passengers capsized. It is estimated that 50 lives were lost. There were 30 Americans on board.

The Norwegian steamer Konig was sunk in the English Channel the crew being saved. TUESDAY Russian Attacks — Air Raid on Salonika — British Win Trendies in France—Fighting on Italian Front — Allied War Congress Opened The Russians are attacking the German lines near Postavy,

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

50 miles south of Dvinsk, near Jacobstadt, and in the lake region.

Following a mine explosion at St. Eloi, British infantry captuied 600 yds of German trenches, penetrating to the second line.

There has been artillery activity on the Verdun front, and an unsuccessful German intantry . attack.

A German air raid on Salonika is reported. Five aeroplanes took part in the raid. Two of them were brought down. Eighteen civilians were killed and 21 wounded.

There has been sanguinary fighting on the Italian front, in which positions were lost by the Italians and recaptured.

Among the iniured passengers on the torpedoed Channel steamer Sussex was Prince Gohrani, of Persia. There were heart-rend-ing scenes when the vessel was sinking. Among the ship's company were 25 Americans, all of whom were saved.

The British steamers Minneapolis and St. Cecilia have been sunk. Eleven of the crew of the Minneapolis were killed by the explosion.

The great war congress of the allied nations has opened in Paris and 8 nations were represented by 37 delegates. '

WEDNESDAY \

Seaplane Attack—Raid on German Airship Sheds—Three Seaplanes Missing — Fears for British Destroyer

A number of British seaplanes, which were escorted by a fleet of light cruisers and destroyers to a rendezvous near the German coast, made an attack on enemy airsheds in Schles\yig-Holstein on Saturday. It is believed that the object w t as achieved. Two German patrol-boats were sunk. Three British seaplanes are missing, and it is feared that the destroyer Medusa has been lost.

The British line on the western front has been extended for 90 miles, thus relieving the French, and contributing to the defence of Verdun.

A report from Rotterdam states that Germany has now at least 200 submarines, and is likely to shortly inform all neutral countries that " a complete submarine blockade" of Britain, exists, and that any vessel in British waters, whether belligerent or neutral, will be sunk. Concern for the safety of Dutch and Norwegian shipping is being manifested.

THURSDAY

Russian Activity—Fruitless Assault on Verdun — Successive Waves Repulsed

The attack by the Russians on the German lines in the vicinity of Jacobstadt and Postavy is being vigorously pressed. The assaults are being stubbornly resisted by the Germans, but today's cables report that the Russians have gained some advantage.

Another assault has been launched by the Germans upon the Maucourt-Malancourt front of the Verdun salient. The successive waves of the assault were all repulsed with heayy loss to the enemy.

A highly successful raid has been made by six aviators upon the Turkish advanced base, 100 miles from the Suez Canal. Bombs were dropped on the military buildings, and the troops were attacked with machine-gun fire.

The value of shipping lost during February through causes attributable to the war is estimated at £2,333,000.