In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 37, 18 May 1916, Page 5

In the West.

the pocition at vendura. London, May 1(5. Colonel Rcpington says that tiie German Staff boasts unit 25 hi vision i have been opposed at Verdun by 51 [•'ranch divisions. Tito e have been, of course, -‘>o Ge.niin divisions fighting at Verdun, but/wh enever figtuj r . taken, no better proof is afforded of the Germans’ miscalculation. It is no act of sanity for 25 or 60 Gentian divisions to attack a doubly strong entrench enemy. It is certain that it General Falkenhayn has not piled on more troops it is because’he has not got more to pile on. Colonel Rcpington nniot.H out that the British are up! aiding forty German divisions in the north of France. Germany’s plan was to overwhelm Verdun and then send surplus divisions, with heavy batteries, against the British. It was desperate strategy, but beggars can’t he choosers. Germany has not moved a single man from the British front despite tne crying need for reinforcements at \ erdun, so the second part of the programme may now be placed. Colonel Rcpington characterises Verdun as a German defeat, adding: “They are floating in the balance, gome fifteen divisions are thrown here and there in search of decision, but such strategic reserves are quite insufficient for the situation.”

! In the Daily Chronicle, Mr Philip ; Gibbs says that despite the enemy [spring attacks against the British de!signed to prevent help at Verdun, our [forces have been'large enough to lib- [ orate a complete French army, with a mass of guns. By this undertaking the French line, whose centre was at Arras, the enemy’s present activity oh the whole British front was difficult to fathom. Perhaps one may consider that the arrival of the Anzacs herald an offensive. It is impossible to deny the enemy’s formidable strength and enormous amount of munitions and troops, who are still courageous in attack, while then industry in defensive work is indomitable.

german efforts fail. ALLIES ACTIVE BOMBING CAMPAIGN. (Received 9.20 a.m.) Paris, May 17. A communique states that the Geiman attempts to progress by grenade attacks on the edge of Mort Homme, completely failed. Our bombarding aeroplanes heavily bombed enemy bivouacs in the Chaumont and Dam--1 villers district, and the railway stations at Brieuiles, Apremont, Clery, I Metz, Ars and Arnaville and in the (cantonment of NaUtillois Romngno.. } A German aeroplane was brought down to the northward of Yicsin on the Aisne. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The High Commissioner reports:— London, May 17 (3.10 p.m.) In the Argonne and at La 1 dies Martre there was mine fighting to our advantage. On the left of the Meuse there was bombardment of our first lines. The enemy’s attempt by grenade progress to approach Mort Homme was completely checked. On the right of the Meuse there is great artillery activity on both sides in the region between Vaudrommont Wood and Lake Vanx. North-west of Thiaumont farm a grenade attack on one of our listening posts was successfully repulsed. There are artillery duels proceeding at- several points, notably at Champagne and in the region of Butte-des-Mesnil.

On Tuesday night thirteen bombing aeroplanes threw 24 shells on enemy bivouacs and several fires were seen to result. A French pilot brought down a German aeroplane, both wings of the enemy machine becoming detached during the fall. Another French squadron of airships dropped 40 shells on German -Langurs 'at Frescaty, twenty on stations at Metz, forty at Arnaville and thirty on the railway lino stations between Metz and Thriville.

iVUJNSTERS INVADE GERMAN TRENCHES. London, May 17. General Haig reports: The Lancashire Fusiliers at Vimy Ridge, after an explosion of mines, seized 250 yards of the enemy’s forward line and inflicted considerable casualties. The Germans displayed placards on. May 0 saving: “The English are shooting down 'your wives and sisters.” The sequel is now published. Two officers and twenty-five men of the Munster Fusiliers were ordered to capture the placards. They crept out at night, and were halfway on Xo Man’s Land when the Gorman searchT'ghts found them. Two machine-guns opened fire. Several men were badly wounded, and the rest lay silently for hours. Then they crept on and cut the entanglements ami sprang into the trenches. The Germans were 1 so certain that the attack had been driven off that they became panic-stricken, and did not wait for cold steel. The Ministers then brought hack the placards in triumph to the Irish trenches.