IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

GERMAN ATTACK FAILS. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY CoimNtJtS. ■ Wellington, Last Night. The High Commissioner reports from L»ndon, under date March 27, 11.45 p.m.: Between the Somme and the Avre, in the neighborhood of Malcourt, after an intense bombardment, the Germans tried a surprise attack on the French first line of trenches, but it completely failed. In tlie Argonne there wns crnitiniud artillery activity against various points of the enemy front, notably in the Cheppy Wood sector. West of the Mens,! a fairly intense bombardment was maintained on our front at Bethineourt, Mort Homme, Cumieres, and east of the Meuse in the Vaux and Douaumont region. There have been several artillery gusts in tlie Woevre, byt no infantry action. Wellington, March 2S. The High Commissioner reports from London, under date March 27, 3.40 a.m.: In the Argonne mine fighting was to the Allies advantage at La Fille Morte. There was bomb fighting in the sector Courtes-Chausses. West of the Meuse the night was relatively calm. East of the Meuse there was an uninterrupted artillery duel on the front DotiaumontVaux. In the Woevre there was a veryviolent bombardment, notably in the region of Moulainville and of Chatillon, without infantry action. GERMAN TRENCHES BLOWN

!A SUCCESS FOR THE BRITISH. Received March 28, 9.35 p.m. London, March 27. A Berlin wireless message states: A British mine damaged our position at St. Eloi, Ypres, blowing up over a hundred yards of our trenches and causing casualties. The English again shelled Lens. A BRITISH ASSAULTCAPTURE OF GERMAN TRENCHES. Received March 28, 11.45 p.m. London, March 2S. General Haig reports: We were successful in crater lighting near Ho'ienzoilern. The enemy opposite Hulluci exploded mines, damaging our trenc'ios. anil we established ourselves in the crater. The Northumberland Fusiliers and the Royal Fusiliers, after a mine explosion, assaulted the German salient at St. Eloi, successfully taking the first and second lines along ai front Of six hundred yard::. The enemy sustained heavy casualties. A VIGOROUS BOMBARDMENT Received March 23, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 27. A communique states: There were no infantry actions during the night, but a vigorous bombardment and milling operations at Argonne and Woevre.

HEROIC FRENCHMEN. ONLY THREE LEFT, Times and Sydney -Sun Services. London, March 27. Lord Northcliffe states:—During the fighting at Verdun two French machineguns defending a ravine jammed. The Germans were preparing an attack and other guns were not available, so the lieutenant called for fifteen men and directed that the gap should be filled by one at a time, who was 'to fire like the devil till disabled. None hesitated. The first fired three shots and dropped with a bullet wound in his head. The second followed and fired five shots and fell. The third emptied his magazine before being winged, getting ton Germans. By the time assistance arrived only three volunteers were left.