IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

THE NEW OFFENSIVE. \'i PROVES ANOTHER FAILURE. SITUATION AS BEFORE. ' Paris, May 9. XTie enemy on Monday, despite a decimating cross fire, repeatedly renewed . the assault on Hill 304. A 'Pomeranian regiment, regardless of terrific losses, fought obstinately and fruitlessly for hours. Finally, after their expulsion from the ravine, the enemy attempted to outflank up by an attack towards Hill 287, but failedf ompletely. The situation on both banks of the ' Meu&a ig now the same as before the last renewal of the formidable German offensive. A communique states: The enemy - maintained a night-long violent bombardment of the trenches on Hill 304. The attack at three in the morning was completely repulsed. Our counter-at-tacks oti the right bank of the Meuse droVe out the enemy from the remainder of thj first line elements north-westward of Thiaas&ont fsjrm. t ■ ■ . SOUTH AFRICANS IN FRANCE. AT MiiISEnXES "" Received May 11, 12.55 a.m. Paris, May 10. A South African contingent has been Welcomed at Marseilles. ESCAPE OF RUSSIAN /'PRISONERS. TO THE FRENCH LINES. Paris, May 9. One hundred' and sixty-three Russian »4s-aomnlißsioned officers and men, who ■ were prisoners in l Germany, were employed on various work on the French , front and escaped. They deceived an ovation on reaching the French lines, the women offering themflowers. < HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. . Wellington, May 10. The High Commissioner reports from London under date May 9, 4.10 p.m.:— Between the Oise and the Aisne we repulsed a coup-de-main directed on our Works wrath <jf Autreches. In the Argotme, in the region of Solante, we took 1 two small posts, the occupants of which had been killed. \\ e also"' occupied ' several craters in front of these posts. ■ ';On the. left'-bank of the Meuse the enemy during the night violently bombarded trendies at Hill 304. A German attack launehetf at 3 a.m. was completely re- ■ pulses. Ob the right bank oui counterattacks during the night enabled us to drive out the Germans from some of our first line elements, which they occupied, north-west of Thiaumont farm. There has been an intense bombardment of our lines between Douauraont and Vaux, in the regions of Eix, and Woevre. A lively exchange of grenades took place in the forest of Apremont and in the Fecht valley in the Vosges.

CANNOT BREAK THE LINE. ARTILLERY FIRE LESSENING. deceived May 10, 9.40 p.m. - !Faris, May 10. A communique aavs: The artillery > bombardment ib less violent. Our curtain of fire checked an enemy attack west of Hill 304, the Germans being unable to debouch. Details of the attacks on the night of . May 8-9 show that they cost the enemy he&vjr lossejs. Our artillery swept toe revictualling convoys and enemy detachments on the road between Essey and BayonvUle, north-west of Pont-a-Meusson. FORLORN HOPES. , WORLDS GREATEST BATTLE. Received May 10, 9.40 p.m. London, May 9. Th« .Dajly Telegraph's Pari? correspondent gays that the German artillery at V««kta. was the most powerful yet enpkiyed; tint it is waning.. The German infantry was unable to hold the ground, and tiros cleared the face for the French infantry's furious counter-attack. "He Pomeranians, to which forlorn y hopes 'are'alfbttfid, h<tve been withdrawn |4rqnt ti»e Champagne,, where they had ' bem tibe offentiw.