In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 14, 19 April 1916, Page 5

In the West.

HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES.

[Dnithd Pane* Association,! Paris, April 13

A communique says: Two divisions attacked our positions from the Meuse to Douaumont the waves of the as-

sault being spread over two kilometres. They encountered our curtain <>f machine gun fire, and were driven bare, except south of Chauffeur Wood, where the enemy gained a footing in a small salientt

There were very heavy enemy losses, especially west of Poivre Hill and in tlie ravine between Poivre Hill md Haudremont Wood.

ENEMY’S INACTION AT VERDUN

London, April 17

The Paris , press -states that Germany's comparative inaction on .die Verdun front is cine to the profitless big attack on April 9, resulting in iheavy losses and insignificant gains. .They have now adopted prudent |methods, and are trying to advance by ' small stages in local actions. The Journal says that they are endeavoring to weaken the French lines by continuous , shocks, and incessant movements at different points, probably preluding another general attack, which is more unlikely to be .successful than the others, because the enemy have already used their utmost available force.

DRIVING THE ENEMY FROM CAPi TURED TRENCHES.

, Aik BAtO ON BELFORT, f

: g■; . Pafisv^pril.lSdSi'a.m.') . A communique states-: 1 We •.Expelled the enemy from the: Chauffeur salient. feriemV' 'aeroplanes bombed 'Belfort, doing slight damage, hut inflicting few casualties.

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT.

NOTHING VERY STARTLING.

The High Commissioner reportsLondon, April 18 (5.45 p-.n*)

The French official report says: : hi the. left hank of the Meuse, there been bombardment of pur first linos between Mort Homme and Cumleres. On the right bank, the night has .been comparatively calm. \ It is confirmed that the German attack launched yesterday on our positions between the Meuse and the region of Douaumont psWnmed a character, of extreme violence. From fresh information, it appears that this offensive action was delivered by troops belonging to five different divisions.

East of the salient Chauffeur ; the eneming has succeeded in penetrating our first line of trenches, whence they were partly repulsed by a counter-at-tack.

Jn the Woevre, there has been an artillery duel in the Moulainville sector south of Ban-de-Sapt.

A German reconnaisance attempted to approach our trenches at Hermanpere north of St..Die, hut it was repulsed with grenades. Last night an enemy aeroplane 4hre\v seven bombs, including incendiary, on Belfort. Three persons were reported to have been killed and six wounded. The material damage done is not important.