In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 64, 21 February 1916, Page 5

In the West

FIGHTING ROUND YPRES.

ENEMY'S AGGRESSIVE WORK.

OUR “SPRINGBOARD” IN PERIL.

[United Press Assortation.l London, February 19. I The attack on Ypres occurred between the railway, canal and Coniines. Some military experts point out that i if our position there is contracted much further, and if we lose as much ground there this year as last year, this will mean the abandonment of Ypres. The German success, therefore, should not be taken with indifference and counter-attacks, though j expensive are worth the making. The . -intrinsic gain may be very small, but , the peri] of the Ypres salient is irn-; . portant, as the German aim may damage our “springboard” for next offensive. Long trains of artillery and infantry continue to go westward and southward from Belgium. Many German war councils are held in Louvain, and it is reported that the Crown Prince is commanding the best troops available, and that Germany has accumulated vast quantities of poison gas and munitions. GENERAL HAIG’S REPORT. London, February 19. General Sir Douglas Haig reports that the artillery generally is active on both sides of the Ypres front. We bombarded the enemy position north of the La Bassee canal. A GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. Amsterdam, February 19. A German communique says: The British again attempted to recapture ciie position south-east of Ypres, but a ere repulsed with heavy losses. french successes. MINE-FIGHTING AND ARTILLERY Paris, February 19. A communique states that in the Artois region, northward of Hill HU, we exploded a mine and seriously damaged a German trench. Another mine caused a huge crater between two trenches, and we occupied the southern edge. The German attempt to dislodge us was stopped dead by our lire” Our artillery, co-operating with xhe British south of Frise, raised a curtain of lire that rendered abortive the enemv’s attack that was in pre- . paration. The enemy, after an intense ' oombardment in Upper Alsace, launI died an attack north of Largitzen and i temporarily gained a footing in our trenches. A counter attack immedi- . telv expelled them. GERMAN RAID ON FRIDAY. I MINOR SUCCESS ATTAINED. c (Received 8.30 a.m.) London, February 20. f 1 General Sir Douglas Haig states; The Germans early on Friday morning raided our trenches at Commeconrt, capturing a few prisoners.