IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

THE ATTACK ON DOUAUMONT, GERMAN TACTICS. ♦ Paris, April 12. Lc Petit Journal's story of the latest fighting at Douaumont states that a furious bombardment by heavy artillery during the entire morning suddenly ceased, and the French troops took their places to await the German rush, but the bombardment was resumed with greater violence and asphyxiating and lachrymatory shells made it impossible to breathe. Two German attacking columns then advanced simultaneously and succeeded, by a vigorous rush, in reaching the battered trenches at certain points. The French, however, launched a counterattack so vigorous that all the enemy forces were repulsed. It is estimated in .veil-informed quarters that the Germans lost 30,000 men at Douaumont last Thursday. OFFICIAL REPORTS. FROM FRANCE AND GERMANY. Paris, April 12. A communique says: The Hermans, using liquid fire, attacked Caurettes Wood between Mort Homme and Cun> Series, but were repulsed everywhere. It is now confirmed that the German losses at Douaumont on Thursday were particularly heavy. A Berlin communique says: The French fruitlessly attacked north-east ot Avocourt. Three French counter-attacks, prepared by violent fire upon Pepper Hill, resulted in heavy enemy losses and were without result. Twice the stormers failed to pass om curtain of fire, and the third attack collapsed in front of tile entanglements. GENERAL HAIC'S REPORT. GALLANT CANADIANS AT ST. ELOI. Received April 13, 8.35 p.m. i London, April 13. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: We made a successful small raid on the enemy trenches at Richebourg-la-Voue. The enemy on Tuesday made three successive attacks west of the Pilken-Ypres road. The first gained a footing in our trenches, but the enemy were quickly driven out, and the other attacks were repulsed. It is now an established fact that the gallant fighting of the,, Canadians nt St. Eloi last week inflicted} bjaty losses. ON THE MEUSE FRONT. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. Received April 13, 11.55 p.m. Paris, April 13. A communique says: Our artillery wrecked the trenches west of Parvillies, between the Somme and the Oise. We exploded four mines at Killemorte, Haute Chevanchee, and Vauquois, and occupied the southern tips of two craters. There is a violent and continuous, bombardment ot Hill 304, at Esnes and Mort Homme, and moderate artillery work east of the Meuse. NOT AT VERDUN. THE AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY. I Received April 13, 8.25 p.m. London, April 13. Mr. Warner Allen authoritatively denies that the Australian artillery forces are fighting at Verdun. CEMENTED BY BLOOD. ANGLO-FRENCH FRIENDSHIP. Paris, April 12. An article on Britain's friendship says: "The blood of the Bfitisb subjects of the Jnited Kingdom is mingled everywhere on the West front with the blood of Frenchmen. At the beginning of the battle of Verdun, when Germany was collecting her best troops against France, our ally relieved us of one of the most difficult sectors, namely, that of Artois. To-day in the trenches at Ablain, St. Nazaire, Careiicy, and Souchez, and in every village in Artois, English, Scottish, Canadian, Welsh, and Irish soldiers mount guard or prepare for the fray." FRENCH SOCIALISTS. THEIR VIEWS ON /HE WAR. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Paris, April 12. The National Council of the Socialist 'Party, by 199fi votes to 900, decided to continue its efforts for national defence, to safeguard Frnace, which had been attacked and invaded, and restore to the Serbians and Belgians their independence. It was considered inadvisable to hold a universal conference while disunited. The conference suggested that the various international bodies should compile opinions regarding war problems, allotinj; the responsibility for starting the war. also suggesting a preliminary investigation of the iconomic problems iiiising out of the war.