In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 80, 10 March 1916, Page 6

In the West

THE FRENCH REPORT.

Uniter Pkkbs Association. Paris. March 9

A communique reports: The enemy attempted fresh progress west of the Meuse, under cover of an intense bombardment. A strong attack on Bethineourt was repulsed, we counterattacking, and we drove out the enemy from the greater part of Corheaux wood. He only occupies the eastern extremity.

There was a violent German bombardment on Douaumont, but the enemy attacks east thereof failed'. The enemy have re-occupied Hordaumont redoubt.

Sixteen of our aeroplanes dropped 124 bombs on Met* Sablons station, where there were several trains. The projectiles found their mark. Fifteen of the machines have returned. The fighting at Hill 260 was even more obstinate than at Douaumont. The Germans were repulsed twenty •times, with heavy losses, before the slopes were won by reinforcements who had just arrived from Serbia. Semi-official: Though the Germans made some gain on both wings the general French defences are not affected. Forges was becoming untenable owing to floods, and the defenders were able to inflict heavy losses in the withdrawal, which was exactly what the French, commanders desired. The German gain on the slopes of Goose. Hill was not worth the sacrifices made.

The Times' correspondent at Paris says that as a result of violent attacks the Germans have practically driven out the French from the railway salient opposite and have brought their line.more into relation with the position on the east bank of tfye Meuse. It remains to he seen whether the action will be confined to the reduction of this troublesome salient or the beginning of a big concerted action on the wings.

MISCELLANEOUS: ITEMS. London, March 9 V The Times publishes a facsimile of a letter from a German soldier, boasting of bayonetting seven French women and four young girls during the fighting at Badonviller. High Paris military authorities predict an, extension of the Verdun battlefield! culminating on Thursday or Friday. General Peta>|i is entirely calm and confident.

M. says that the Germans massed twenty men per yard in the Verdun attacks. The Paris press . anxiously points out that the essential Verdun, railways - are threatened by the west Meuse attack. M. Gustavo Herve, writing in La Victoire, says that soldiers at Verdun have- been amazed by the pouring in of artillery of, every calibre, both light and heavy. In artillery we are now superior, and, however lang the battle lasts our immense reserve is inexhaustible. Paris shows uneasiness concerning the sudden German ljiUge'west of the Meuse, the first results .nf which were the capture of Forges.' M. Marcel Hutin points out that. Forges is a single-street village. The Germans lost heavily in their broken-assaults against the important Goose Hill, a mile south of Forges. The attacks may be the prelude to meat assaults designed to clear, the west of the Meuse of the batteries which are raking the German posi--1 tions east of the Meuse.