IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

AT HILL 304. CONTRADICTORY REPORTS, Received May 9, 10.40 p.m. Amsterdam, May 9. A German communique claims the capture of the whole network of French trenches on the northern slopes of Hill 304, and states that the German lines have pushed up to the hill itself. iParis, Mav 9. A communique reports: The bombardment of Avocourt Wood and in the whole region of Hill 304 has continued With undiminished violence. Our curtain of fire stopped an attack on Hill 287 west of Hill 304,

A DELUGE OF METAL, TRENCHES BATTERED OUT OF SHAPE. FEROCIOUS GERMAN ATTACKS. THE FRENCH HOLD FIRM. Received May 9, 11.45 p.m, Paris, Mav 9. Since Wednesday the German' batteries have concentrated a deluge 'of metal on Hill 304 and Mort Homme, and the slopes of the little valley between. The French front line of trenches v/as torn and battered out of shape. The communication saps were filled up, and neither food nor munitions could be sent to the men holding >he advanced post. » The late bombardment exceeds in ferocity anything yet seen. After forty-eight hours the French advanced. The trenches no longer e.vist, all that is left being an isolated shell crater, wherein the remnants of the front line of troops sheltered, carrying with them machine-guns and ammunition. They dug-in themselves, and finally the hail of missiles ceased. The Germans, believing that nothing living existed, advanced, but they had no sooner emerged in the open than from a dozen directions the French machine-guns opened, and the assault soon spent itself. All the Germans could claim was a footing gained in a couple of shell-swept salients. The Crown Prince, on Sunday, delivered two sledge-hammer blows, one on the west, and the other on the east bank of the Meitse. Forty thousand men were sent again the eastern declivities of Hill .304, which is separated from Mort Homme by scrub-covered ravines. The French subjected the slopes of Hill 304 to such a fierce fire that the Germans deemed it prudent not to attempt an attack on the east bank. Three violent German assault: resulted in the capture of five hundred yards of the French front line between Haudromont and Douaumont. There was most desperate fighting throughout Sunday night. Fresh German regiments were brought up and launched, one after another, but they were powerless to beat down the stubborn defence. At daylight the French made a fierce ;ounter-attack and cleared the Germans from the ravines between Hill 304 and Mort Homme, and also from the Haudromont area.

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. Paris, May 8. A communique states that there was fierce fighting during the night on the left bank of the Meuse. Furious enemy attempts to capture Hill 304 were smashed, and the German losses were extremely heavy. A sharp counter-attack enabled us to drive out the enemy from the communication trench taken on Sunday. Fifty were taken prisoner. We expelled the enemy from the majority of the first line elements captured southward of Haudremont Wood. Thirty were taken prisoner. Two German aeroplanes were brought down during an air fight in the Verdun district.

GENERAL HAIG'S REPORT. RAIDING THE TRENCHES. Received May 9, 8.40 p.m. London, May 9. General Sir Douglas Haig reports:— East of Thiepval Wood the enemy, after a heavy bombardment, entered our trenches and caused some casualties before they were driven out. North of Thjcpval we raided the enemy's trenches, driving the occupant-; from their dugouts, which were effectively bombed. Near Fromelles we entered the enemy trenhces and inflicted considerable casualties.