In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 79, 9 March 1916, Page 5

In the West.

RIPE PLUMS FUR HUNS. [Umfuai Prssi* A*booi*tion.l Paris, March 7 The French retreat west of the Meuse was necessary in consequence of the previous withdrawal, and was the only method of avoiding a flank fire. The German success at Forges Regneville is not surprising, these places were merely ripe plums awaiting the picking. CAPTURE OF FRESHES. London, March 7. A German wireless claims; We stormed and* captured Fresnes tins morning. The French are holding out in a few houses on the western side of fh e village. A Zeppelin bombed the railway establishments at Barleduc. CORPSES STOP CUN FIRE, London, March 7. A French gunner at Verdun writes; “We sometimes had to withdraw the machine-guns thirty yards because the Bosches’ corpses prevented our firing. As the Germans jumped ovei the dead we killed them. RETIGI ENT SUT HOPEFUL. London, March 7. The German newspapers of Thursday and Friday show an increasing reticence about Verdun. Several give greater prominence to other news. Special correspondents’ telegrams show severe censorship. The general tone of the comments on the western activity shows a renewed optimism and faith .in the ultimate fall of Paris and cutting off of the British armies. Herr Harden, writing in Die /«• kunft, claims this is a greater possibility’than the miracle of the Allies driving back to the Rhine proved warriors equipped with the most modern weapons. INTENSE SHELLFIRE. A RAIN OF STEEL. London, March 7. Mr Warner Allen, describing the intensity of the German shellfire at Verdun! says that thirty large shells

were nr ■ • on or for gate in the wall in five minutes, •"■ over Verdun there was an incessant steel rain, splinters falling on roots and roads. Soldiers coming into the firing line revealed the terrific nature of the onslaughts and the magnitude of the German losses. The troops who retired grimly from Hanmont Wood, Bois de Scan res, and Uorbe be Is to the present line fought to gain time, gladly giving np their lives. Two divisions held up two German army corps. The troops still retained their dash and unshakcable morale. “Wo will stay there till wo are killed,” said one, “so as to be sure our reserves will be able to get up. Another wounded man who had lost his right hand cheerfully said that he had offered his life to France, but she had taken one hand only.

COLONEL REPINGTON'S VIEWS. London, March f. Colonel Repington believes that the Germans owe most of their success at Verdun to heavy artillery. When the hurricane of lire overwhelmed the advanced French positions it became necessary to move the £uns forward. This accounts for the slackening of the attack, and we must expect a gradual closing in of the attack and an extension along the whole front from the Verdun bridgehead eastward to the Meuse, and from Poivro Hill to St. Mihiel, with special attention to Douaumont. It is probable that the Verdun attack is only the beginning, and that there will he larger movements. The French, Belgian and British staff should give General Joffre all the troops than can he spared, and there is hope that General Sarrail will return with his army in time to give the finishing blow. The doleful tone of the German press is due to the realisation of the terrible and costly operations. The German plan aims a£ influencing opinion by means of the old guard of heavy guns. We should not be influenced by the loss of men, guns and ground, but realise that General Joffre is playing the correct game and that the troops are displaying the hightest qualities ol a soldier. The only thing that counts is the final result.

FRENCH WIN BACK TRENCHES. ARTILLERY struggle continues. PROTECTING the railroad at fresnes. (Received 9.40 a.m.) London, March 8. A French official'message states that eastward of Maisons de Champagne we won back the trenches lost on Monday. The enemy continued the bombardment and intermittent artillery struggle in the Woevre. Me bombarded Blanzee and Gnmancomt in the neighbourhood of Fresnes and a curtain of fire smashed the German attack on the railroad at Manheulles Road.