In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 62, 16 March 1915, Page 5

In the West

THE CAPTURE OF VAUQUOIS

United Press Association. Paris, March 15

j Official: The capture of Vauquois prevents the Germans carrying out masking operations north of Yarennes and readily revictualling their troops in Argonne and Clieppy wood. Vau'quois is a regular fortress. The vil'lage is built on the side of a hill three hundred metres high. The cellars of the houses are hollowed out of the rock, 'affording artillery-proof shelter. The 'Germans constructed subterranean 'passages between the cellars, forming a defensive system of the first order. The brilliant attack on the 17th of February showed that the difficulties could be surmounted, and the attack was recommenced on the 28th with jviolent and heavy artillery fire. When 'the troops entered Vauquois was a heap 'of ruins. The cellars had collapsed under, the weight of the large projectiles, which hollowed out pits four metres deep and eight metres in diameter.

(For ready reckoning a metre may be taken as a yard. Actually it is about 39 inches).

Official.—At Vauquois the Germans delivered a counter-attack on the afternoon of the 28th, supported hy artillery, and machine-guns hehind the ruins. Our soldiers made a heroic stand, but were unable to create a defensive position while fighting. They were obliged to retire, but returned to the assault, and drove the Germans from the southern half of the village. Further German attacks were repulsed with great loss. The Germans, howover, were reinforced from Cheppy during the night, and Vauquois was finallv lost.

We attacked four times next day, and were driven back by a German slanting fire. We suffered serious losses, but the morale of the troops was not destroyed and the attack was resumed at dawn. Three regiments left the trenches and rushed the plateau, which was terribly cut up. The abrupt slopes were almost impracticable; nevertheless the enemy was forced to abandon the trenches and ultimately withdrew from the village. Finally a splendid dash of the three regiments penetrated the ruins. Hand-to-hand fighting occurred in the streets. Four German attacks were repulsed, and resulted in our installing ourselves securely in the high street dividing the town, after inflicting great loss, capturing two hundred of the enemy.

The Germans did not attack on March 2nd or 3rd, evidently being worn out; but a violent bombardment at midnight enabled them to reach the plateau, where our artillery and machine guns mowed down almost all the attackers. The survivors took refuge in holes in the earth, and then fled. Desperate attacks and counter-attacks continued for days, the Germans each time bringing up fresh troops. The prisoners belong to three army corps and one brigade of the Landwehr.

The French position is now secure

ENEMY'S UNDERGROUND SHELTERS.

Paris, March 15

Official.—The ground won in the Champagne district had been subjected to defensive organisation laboriously perfecting for months. For example, hill 196, north-east of Mesnil, was a dense net-work of barbed wire. Then came two lines of trenches, including flanking works with quick-firers, revolver guns, and parapets strengthened with sacks and wicker baskets filled with earth.' Only a few look-outs stayed in the trenches during the bombardment. The rest were in underground shelters, which were proof against big projectiles. We have established ourselves firmly on crests in the Champagne district which sfcve recently captured. We carried trenches , between Four de Paris and Bolante. General French pays a tribute to the local initiative of the troops, which says much for the spirit animating the army. The successes recently achieved, are striking examples of this spirit.

STERN FIGHTING IN ALSACE.

Geneva, March 15

General Deimling conducted the operations at Ileichackerskopf, employing four regiments. The fighting was the most sanguinary in Alsace during the war. The Chasseurs Alpine defended the newly-won position with bayonets only. No quarter was asked. Nine hundred Germans were killed and probably 2500 wounded. Few prisoners were taken. Paris, March 15. The British airmen bombarded Westende.

London, March 15

The Daily Express states that a number of parties of Germans are arriving at Ghent and Brussels for courtmartial for failing to respond to orders to make counter-attacks. GERMANS SHOT FROM BEHIND BY OWN GUNS. (Received 8.55 a.m.) Paris, March 15. Two hundred Germans in the midst of an engagement at Hazelbrouck offered to surrender, but the German machine-guns behind shot them all down.

PROGRESS REPORT FROM BELGIUM.

(Received 9.20 a.m.) Paris, March 15. A communique states: The Belgians continue to make progress at the bend of the Yser, and also south of Dixmude. The enemy violently attacked and slightly pushed back the British at St. Kloi. hut the, British counterattacked and regained part of the lost ground. Fighting continues. The situation in the Neuve Chappelle region is unchanged. We repulsed a violent attempt to re-take the trenches between Four de Paris and Balante.

AMERICAN AIRMEN ENLIST WITH THE FRENCH. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, March 15. Paris reports that Glen Curtis and three other American airmen have enlisted in the French Army.