In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 5, 8 April 1916, Page 5

In the West.

COMMUNIQUE FROM PARIS. J United Prebs .Ashoo..ition. j Paris, April 7. A communique says: The Germans attempted to attack Povre Hill, but our lire prevented them leaving the trenches. Hand-to-hand engagements south-east of Douaumont fort enabled us to progress two hundred metres. An enemy counter-attack failed. Our aeroplanes in March downed thirty-one German machines and our guns brought down four. We lost thirteen. GERMAN ATTACK AT ST. ELOI. London, April 7. General Sir Douglas Haig reports that after a most heavy bombardbent in the early morning the enemy strongly attacked our new trenches at St. Eloi, and fighting all day long continues. THE BATTLE OF VERDUN. London, April 6. Semi-official German agencies, including the Cologne Gazette, explain that the slowness of the Verdun advance was due to very strong fortifications compelling the German artillery to advance step by step, battering' down the obstacles gradually and systematically. The agencies pay a tribute to General Joffre and the French troops, pointing out the excellence of the system of communications, enabling the French to retain them, systematically remove the wounded, and bring up reinforcements.

OFFICIAL NEWS. FRENCH PROGRESS REPORT. The High Commissioner reports:— London., April 7 (5.20 p.m.) A French official report says that west of the Meuse in the course of the night, by an attack following violent bombardment of our positions between Bethineourt and Hill 267, the enemy penetirated ;our first line of trenches between Bethincourt and Chattoucourt. .A counter-attack immediately ejected him from the greater part of the occupied ground, and the eitir. holds only the advanced elements over a length of 300 yards. . East of the Meuse, the bombardment has been intermittent. Progress was continued towards the enemy advanced trenches south-west of Fort Douaumont. \ There has been slight artillery activity in Woeuvro. ' The night was calm on the rest of the front.