IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

ON THE YSER LINE. BIG BATTLE EXPECTED. Received April 9, 5.5 p.m. Paris, April 8. A communique says: Repeated German efforts to dislodge us east of Haucourt failed, our murderous fire inflicting heavy losses. The Germans gained a footing on two small works south of Haucourt. The Daily Mail's correspondent at Rotterdam says that a big battle is expected on the Yser shortly, the Germans having made most extensive preparations. Heavy arid light guns and an immense quantity of ammunition have been sent from Obtend, and the whole line has been strongly reinforced with hospital accommodation. AN ENEMY ATTACK CHECKED. Received April !), 5.5 p.m. Paris, April 8. A communique says: Our curtain of fire checked a powerful attack from the Haucourt front, along two kilometres, and the Germans were obliged to retire, leaving many corpses.

OIVE AND TAKE. OPERATIONS NEAR ST. ELOI Received April 9, 5.5 p.m. London, April 8. A German wireless claims: We captured the English craters south of St. Eloi that were held by the Canadians. The enemy north of Four de Paris, in the Argonne, attacked, using flame projectors, but were repulsed. Repeated enemy attacks north-east of Avocourt broke down, and wo also repulsed an attack on our position at Bois Caillette. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy yesterday succeeded in regaining portion of the ground captured at St. Eloi on March 27. Fighting continues. A small raiding party entered the British trenches north of the river Ancre, but were quickly driven out.

A GERMAN SUCCESS, Received April 9, 11 p.m. Amsterdam, April 9. A German communique states: We have captured the French positions at Termitten Hill, south of Haucourt, for a width of two kilometres. THE SWAY OF BATTLE. GERMAN LOSSES AT VERDUN. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received April 8, 5.5 p.m. London, April 7. The Times' correspondent at iParis says that the pendulum of the battle lias swung back west of the Mcuse, to a hollow that is dominated by French guns. A trustworthy estimate puts the German losses at Verdun at one hundred and fifty thousand fallen, in th e first line, with fifty thousand casualties caused by artillery and sickness.