IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

SOME LIVELY WORK. AROUND MALANCOTJRT. Received April 2, S.B p.m. ' '*''" Paris, April 1. A communique says: We wrecked enemy trendies south of St. Marieagey. A German aeroplane was brought down, I aflame, in the enemy lines north of Tahure. Artillery fire has slackened at Malancourt, where the enemy did not attempt to deboucli during the day. After a violent 'bombardment of Mort Homme the enemy strongly attacked the positions north-east of Hill 295. Accompanied by a curtain of fire and shell tiie Germans succeeded momentarily in setting foot in the first line of our elements, but were driven out by & sharp counter-attack. The enemy later abortively attacked further westward. During a lively aerial fight one of our airmen brought down an Avintik within our lines at Soppe, near Belfort, Received April 1, 5.5 p.m. London, March 31. The desperate attacks on the ruins of Malancourt were due to the Germans' exasperation at the French offensive at Avocourt- wood, where, correspondents narrate, the French made a holocaust of the grey-green waves of German reinforcements, necessitating the Germans bringing up a Bavarian brigade. Malancourt formed a salient, supported on the right by Mort Homme heights and on the left by Hill 304. These were the pillars of the French resistance. Despite the German capture of the village, a French semi-official message states: The "bite" of our troops is unaffected, while the enemy is losing his sharpness. GERMAN REPORT. A Berlin wireless says: At the village of Malancourt the French defence establishments on both sides of the village were taken by storm. Brief encounters at close quarters developed in the French trenches B outh of Fort Douaumont. The British lost three biplanes in an aerial fight at Arias.

| VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT. THE NEW FRENCH LINE. .. Received April 2, 5.5 p.m. IParie, April 1. A' communique states: The bombardment last night was extremely violent between the woods southward of the Haudremont and Vaux region. The Germans at the latter point launched two attacks in large numbers. Our curtain of jifle fire checked the first; but the second enabled the enemy to gain a footing in the western portion of the village.

Semi-official: After stubborn street fighting all night long the Malancourt battalion, constituting the whole garrison of the advanced position, were compelled to retire, overwhelmed by a brigade of the enemy, on whom we inflicted enormous losses. The French line now passes just behind Malancourt. The Haucourt position could well be abandoned without tactical inconvenience, but the essential thing is that we hold Hill 304, from whence we can enfilade the positions from which the enemy launches his attacks.

GENERAL HAIG'S REPORT. THREE AEROPLANES MISSING. Received April 2, 5.6 p.m. London, April 1. General Sir Douglas Hiag reports: There is much aerial activity' on both Bides. We have carried out successful work, but three of our machines are missing. We easily repelled an attack near Neuville St. Vaast. An enemy attack south of St. Eloi broke down under our fire. AN ATTACK REPULSED. Received April 2, 11 p.m. Paris, April 2. A communique says: A German attack beween Douaumont fort and Vaux village was completely stopped. AT ST. ELOI. HAPPY PRISONERS. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, March 31. Mr. Beach Thomas writes that he has spoken to German prisoners taken at St. Eloi. Some who had just been dug out from the mess caused by the earthquake were wearing the green coats of the original Jager battalions. They were dirty and unshaven, but in fighting fettle. They wore extemporised or new, metal helmets, and were fine, well-clad and booted men, smiling and happy, and without a prejudiced view of the war, which they thought would be over this year, as the side with most guns and men would win.

The Times' correspondent at British headquarters Bays that the majority of the St. Eloi prisoners are Danes, who are grateful for British treatment. THE FIGHT FOR MALANOOURT. Paris, Marcsh 81. A communique says: The bombardment at Malancourt was redoubled in violence and the Germans launched a series of attacks debouching from three sides simultaneously against Xlalancourt village. There was a desperate struggle all night with heavy enemy losses. We evacuated the ruined village, but still hold the exits. DEAF AND DUMB. FROM THE VERDUN ATTACK. London, March 31. Swiss frontier reports state that 1500 unwounded Germans arrived at Blotahum from Verdun with tleir nerves shattered and unable longer to stand the strain. They were deaf, speechless automatons, and ba/i to )» jarried from 'the Ifflijk/'