Second Edition In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 97, 30 March 1916, Page 6

Second Edition In the West

FRENCH COMMUNIQUE.

[United Press '■Association.] (Received 12.28 p.m.) Paris, March 29. A French communique- fsrtys; Our troops, after intense artillery preparation, vigorously attacked the Avoncourt wood and captured the southeastern horn thereof to a depth of three hundred metres, and also an important small fort which the Germans had strongly fortified. A violent German counter-attack, with recently arrived troops, was completely repulsed with heavy losses. Another French attack was "delivered in conjunction with the foregoing, and progressed north of Avoncourt. THE FOOLISH KAISER. RETIRES A GENERAL. (Received 12.28 p.m.) Paris, March 29. . Le Temps, says that von Saieler has quitted Verdun and gone into retirement, because he disagreed with;the Kaiser on tactical, and other questions. It 'is said he strongly protested at the carele-ss sacrifice of lives, especially, f massed attacks, whereto the Kaiser is 'partial. '■•■:'•

HKJH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

The Hi<*h Commissioner .reports,, un-. dcr date London, March 29th, 1916, 3.40 p.m.:-In the Argonne our bat teries bombarded the German organisations and the borders of Chappy. Wood. Grenade fighting, in connection with 1 neighbouring attacks in this section, permitted notable progress against the enemy, branch trendies north of Astartttfr, and prisoners were taken West .of the Meuse the enemy made: no new attempt in the course of the night against our position. At HamMlrt ami Melaneourt the bombardment has taken a certain character" of intensity. On our frdnt at Bethincourt, Morthomins.aud Cumiei-' es this morning, after intense artillery preparations our troops attacked the weod at Ayoncourt with spirit, carrying the south-east toner and also an important work called Avocourt redoubt, ivhich the Germans had strongly 'fortified. A very violent counter-, attack by a newly-arrived enemy brigade, was completely repulsed, the enemy sustaining heavy losses and leavirig about fifty prisoners. East of the Meuse there is great artillery activity on both sides, in the region of Vauk, at Douaumont," and Woevre, and in the sector of Monlainville.