IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

ATTACKS NEAR VERDUN. GERMANS MEET WITH SOME SUCCESS. Paris, Feb. 23. A communique states that the French recaptured sonio parts of the trenches at Bois-de-Givenehy. Tlie infantry engagements northward of Verdun developed during the night over a front of fifteen kilometres. Violent fighting is progressing from the right hank of the Meuse to south-east of Kerberois. We evacuated the village of Hamnont, of which we retain the out skirts, after desperate fighting, in which we inflicted very heavy losses. A counter-attack eastward of that point enabled us to retake the greater part of llois-rte-Caures. in the salient occupied by the enemy. On Tuesday a curtain of fire stopped a strong German attackdirected against Herberois. According to prisoners, certain units were annihilated. GREAT BATTLE AT VERDUN. BIG GERMAN OFFEXSIVF. deceived Feb. 24, 9.25 p.m. Xondon, Feb. 23. A German communique states: We attacked north of Verdun on a front of six miles, penetrated 1% miles, and captured three thousand prisoners and considerable war material. Paris, Feb. 23. Le Temps says that German attacks on the advanced lines at Verdun are. being carried out on a five kilometres front, in order to test the defences: but the fortress is a big mouthful, as it is now reinforced by field forces under General Humbert and other most energetic leaders. A communique says that seven German army corps are engaged in the Verdun battle, which is increasing in intensity on a twenty-five miles front. There have been extremely heavy German losses.

AN IMPORTANT ACTION. INCREASING IN INTENSITY, Received Feb. 24, 10.5 p.ru. Paris, Feb. 24. A communique states that the German attack north of Verdun developed as was foreseen into a most important action, for which powerful preparation was made. The battle eontinues'growing in intensity, and is vigorously maintained by our troops, who have inflicted extremely high losses. A ceaseless bombardment ended at Malancourt, our artillery replied with equal violence. Successive German infantry attacks took place all day long between Brabant-sur-Meuse and Ornes, employing a very large number, comprising the troops of seven army corps. We repulsed all attacks at Haumont village and crushed the enemy's offensive in Caures wood. By counter attacks the enemy penetrated Wavrille wood, east of Caures, after a series of sanguinary attacks. Our counter attacks stopped the enemy's assaults north of Caure3. BIGGEST BATTLE SINCE LOOS. CROWN PRINCE'S OBJECTIVE. Received Feb. 25, 1.40 a.ra, ' London, Feb. 24. A French communique shows that the Verdun battle is the most important fighting in the West since the battle at Loo 6 and in the Champagne, and the battle is likely to equal the German offensive at Ypres last April. Paris, Feb. 24. Latest unofficial news shows that there has been a tendency recently to largely increase the Fifth Army. General Bonstang's four Metz army corps have been added to the Crown (Prince's original force, which has also been specially reinforced by five divisions and an immense quantity of artillery for the present attack. The Crown Prince's objective is not the forces, but the earthworks which General Sarrail constructed upon the heights, of the 'Meuse prior to the battle of the Marne, sweeping from Vanquols across the Meuse at Brabant and falling to the plain of the Woevre, thence to Etayn and Fresnes and backto St. Mlffiel.

IN THE ARGONNE. A GERMAN SUCCESS. Paris. Feb. 22. A communique says that the Germans, after a violent bombardment, made extremely brisk attacks between Brabant-sur-Meuse and Serbeloise and occupied the Bois d'Haumont and the salient north of Beaumont at the coat of considerable lsli<s