In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 48, 1 February 1916, Page 5

In the West.

HAND TO HAND FIGHTING IN THE ARTOIS REGION. TERRIFIC SLAUGHTER. (Unit*!) Pa*s» Ammuiation 1 Paris, January 31. There has been almost continuous and terrible band-to-liand fighting in the Artois region for 72 hours. The Germans made ten attacks in a week, meeting with only a slight success at Frise. French officers consider that the operations represent the enemy’s maximum efforts. The Germans in the north sacrificed nearly a division, and the ground at Neuville was so. hotly contested that the dead remained unburied, and many of the enemy’s wounded were left to die. South of Lens the trenches were taken and retaken. The Germans lower down the line made a gas attack with some success. German infantry stormed the trenches over a front ol nearly a mile, and met a desperate defence. The slaughter was terrific, entire companies of the enemy being mowed down. There was fierce fighting in the craters, and when grenades were exhausted the antagonists fought with their hands. The French have already recovered much ground. Paris, January 31. A communique states: Tie carried out a destructive fire on the enemy’s depots at Sall-au-Mines, south-east of Lens, and the German parks and bivouacs north of Yimy. We also destroyed the enemy works opposite Soil pi, north of Aisne, annihilating the garrison. Amsterdam, January 31., The Germans claim that the prisoners captured at Frise include some English.

TRENCH FIGHTING ON WIDE FRONT. The High Commissioner reports: — London, January 31 (3.50 p m.) North of Arras two enemy grenade attacks during the night west of Hill 140 failed. In the Champagne the Allies’ artillery bombarded trenches north of Proics, and in the course of action explosions were seen at lour points on the enemy’s front.

In the Argonne there lias been minefighting at Haute Chevauehe. On the explosion of a German mine, the French counter-mined and destroyed an enenfy gallery.