In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 57, 12 June 1916, Page 5

In the West.

CONTINUOUS ARTILLERY ACTION GERMANS' MINOR SUCCESS AT HEAVY COST. (tJtrmro Pkbab -3hßociation.l | (Received 9.15 a.m.) Amsterdam, June 11. The Tolegraaf states: The fighting" at Ypres was restricted to artillery all day and all night, and the bombardment was audible throughout Flanders. The Germans gained some ground southward of Hooge, and penetrated the hills dominating Dilleberke, but their losses were heavy. Belgian : civilians were compelled to dig holes, which already on Saturday were filled with corpses. The British were filled some of those occupied in the rear. GERMAN LOSSES AT VERDUN 450,000. (Received 9.15 a.m.) Paris, June 11. The notebook of a German staff-offi-cer contains an estimate of the German losses at Verdun to the end or May as 425,000, which was based on information from the reports of the general staff, but the figure is now probably 450,000. OFFICIAL NEWS. The High Commissioner's reports:— London, June 10 (4 p.m.) j In the Champagne, a strong enemy reconnaissance was dispersed by grenades west of Mont Tetu. Left of the Meuse, the bombardment continued at Avocourt Wood. On the right bank, there was violent action by both artilleries in the region of Thiaumont, Chapitre Wood, and Fumin. The bombardment was rather violent in the sector of Souville and Thakannes, but no infantry action occurred. London, June 11 (3.55 p.m.) Between the rivers Oise and Aisne, French artillery destroyed an enemy work in the region of St. Maard Wood. In the Argonne, a mine-conflict resulted to our advantage. North of Verdun there is intense artillery fighting on. both banks of the Mouse. On the left bank two of the enemy's coups de main on positions at Hill 304 j an danother* on the. .east of r the hill were completely stopped. In the Vosges, following on a violent bombardment, the enemy was able to reach our trenches south pf a-, hill St. Mane, but were immediately repelled by a counter-attack. THE LOSS OF FORT VAUX. London, June 8. The French press soberly comments on the fall of Vaux fort, and is undismayed. It points out that, there are further' strong positions between the enemy and Verdun. General Verraux writes that in the Woevre, in order to progress, the enemy must pierce<*Souville,»where the attacks are most difficult owing to the left flank of fire on Chenois and Lafauet fortifications. M. Gustavo Herve thinks that the capture of Vaux fort and the recap: ture of Pouaumont fort prove that-' the enemy is still able to nibble its way to Verdun. General Berlott, in Le Petit Parisien, says that since the beginning bt the war we have learned a lesson. The enemy's overweening confidence should warn us not to fall into the same, error. , A chasseur who was wounded at Fort Vaux relates that the violence of the bombardment was inconceivable. At least forty-eight llin. and 12in. guns were raining shells on an average of three a minute. The enemy made a third infantry attack on the glacis, and our machine-guns suddenly opened. Heaps of bodies rolled down the slopes, the living being carried away with the dead. The fight stopped at noon, as the trench was filled with German bodies. . General'Raynal, the commandaut, finding relief impossible,-decided to evacuate the wounded. There was a pathetic parting. He kissed us all and said, "The fight will go on as long as a single man remains." The Crown Prince permitted General Raynal, the captured French General, to retain his sword. BRITISH SUCCESSES. London, June 10. General Sir Douglas Haig reports that a party of Gloucesters entered the trenches south of Neuve Chapelle, and successfully attacked the garrison. Our heavy artillery destroyed the railway station at Salome, eaßt of La Bassee, setting a train afire, and damaging the track. Good results were afso obtained against strong points

behind the enemy's Hn«s north of Hul« luch. There is a good deal of ..rtillery fighting east of Ypres, our guns engaging the enemy positions successfully. We effectively bombarded the enemy east of Laventie, and exploded six successful mines at Hohernzolleni, Hulluch, Neuville, St. Vaast, and north-east of Albert. i ■ • ,-- .;;;•. VERDUN TACTICS REPEATED ACAINBT BRITISH. CANADIANS' SUPERIORITY PLAIN.' '•;> '; 0 . ■-.;.,.. (Received 9 ' : - '" v ; London*.; June.ll> r ••■.'.? }, A correspondent at General Haig's headquarters point crtit that the enemy is repeating in a .smaller degree .the tactics adopted at Verdun. The bombardment'also disclosed high explosive shells from long-range naval guns. The enemy being on higher ground in this zone gives them the preponderance of fire-command, which they are utilising to the utmost. When it came to a test of sheer human courage and endurance, the gallant Canadians' superiority was always demonstrated by results. ENEMY ENFORCED IN>CT#lt£ (Received 9 a4n.)_. f <: • \j : Paris, June lir: • A semi-official message, commenting, on the enemy's enforced inactivity ter the fierce struggle at Vaux fort, says it emphasises the Lokal Anzelger's admission that the fort was battered and the French artrlh?r£ made it untenable. Doubtless, f he-man? are preparing to further eihaufit their ( reserves. Altogether, there, wer,eV«-.. sacrificed outside; Verdun> nearly. MH»rH ' million killed, wounded, and missing, the number far surpassing the French; > HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES AT HOOGE. (Delayed in transmission). Amsterdam, June 9. The Telegraaf states: The German losses at Hooge were heavy* :•(;■ ss*? Red Cross activity llr'qealls ' pf October ApriL, 191&]; ,-.;-•, Many hospitals i&> the rear ; are JfijJr eti with wounded. 5.. •..". '~W$~ """ ' The number of;killea' is *., large. ><.?'f*'■*■'*#'•-, \ V'/V. '"' Mtuiy hospital traii#? : ar*':t .fearing Courtoai; nbrthwardsA