WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1916, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

FORT VAUX OCCUPIED* | VERDUN XOW FIRMLY RIiLD. ' Paris, Nov. 3. A communique-states: Owing to the violence of our bombardment for several days, the enemy, not awaiting attack from the infantry, whose pressure was ever closer, yesterday afternoon evacuated Fort Vaux, in which the heaviest explosions were observed. We occupied it during the night without loss. The belt of exterior forts round Verdun is now entirely re-established and firmly held by us. RETAKING OF FORT VAUX. GERMANS' ABORTIVE PLAN. HINDEXBURG TURNS DOW.* CROWN PRINCE. 4 ' P.eceive Nov. 5, 5.5 p.rr. -. London, »v. 5. The Daily Chronicle's Paris correspondent states that after the evacuation of Vaux Fort early in the morning, the French, in trenches 40-0 yards away, heard explosions, marking the blowing up of tl>e casemates and material. They, therefore, wisely delayed their occupation of the fort. Explosion afver explosion in the afternoon rent the whole place. The eunnir.gly-'.aid mines would I'ave annihilated any troops that precipitately occupied. The explosions ceased at night, whereupon the Fjjench toot: possession. The episode is interpreted to itean that the Germans, besides being unable to repeat their former efforts, have abandoned all hope of resuming the assault at Verdun, Moreover, Hindenburg, whose eyes are now fixed on the east, is deaf to the Crown Prince's entreaties for more men to win back something of his lost prestige. BRITISH REPEL AN ATTACK. ' ENEMY LINES RAIDED./ ~j FRENCH ADVANCE AT VAUX ; j Received Nov. 5, 5.13 p.m. London, Nov. '4 General Sii Douglas Haig repo'ts:— We completely repulsed a count»i--ittack on the trench captured on Tbnr'.day eastward of Gueudecourt. We bombard ed the lines eastward qf Fouquissar'. and in the neighbourhood' of Biairvil'.e. We successfully raided the lines rcrtlvea3t of Armentieres, and expelled tU enemy. A counter-attack east of Gueudecourt iva3 repulsed with heavy losses. A French communique, states:—On the right of the Meuse, after the ccjv.uu of Fort Vaux, our infamtry cont'„i:v?d to advance as far as the outskirts of the village of Vaux, to the north of Vaux Lake, and gained a footing on the crest dominating the village. The ew-iin- did not counter-attack as usual, 'ouv'there was artillery activity e'.sovhers. BRITISH BOMBARDMENT. FRENCH PROGRESS EXTENDED. Received Nov. 11.30 p.m London. Nov. a. General Sir Douglas Haig reports; There is considerable 'hostile shelling around Lcs Boeufs. We bombarded the La Basse Canal in the nighbourhood of the Bois Eenier, Messines. Paris, Nov. 5. A eommun:qt:e states: A fierce attempt to eject us from the captured trenches at St. Pierre Vaast wood was defeated. We extended our progress on the right-of the Meuse. In the region of Vaux we hold the western part of the village and have advanced -savera! hundred yards, north-east of the fort on the slopes descending to the Woevre There is intermittent cannonade elsewhere. V.C. HERO'S A THRILLING STORY. ieceivod Nov. 5, 5.15 pm. London, Nov. 4 •A Serjeant who vitnasscl Private Thomas Jones win the Victoria Cross slates that the Cheshire* 'raptured a village on September 25, and commenced to dig themselves in. The" Germans started a brisk fire, and Jones suggestij a charge, but his officer declined, and Jones' neighbour fell. Jones exclaimed. •If I am "to be killed, I will be killed fighting." He reached the German trenches, four bullets piercing his clothes. Ten minutes later, two pals went over the parapet, say : ng: "He's gone. We are going too." They found Jone3 in a hollow threatening with bombs a group of 100 Germans with their hands up. Ho had mastered them singly, threatening instant death for disobedience. He later returned leading the captives. INTERMITTENT CANNONADING. Received Nov. 5, 5.55 p.m. Paris, Nov. 4. A French communique state'.••-I here has been intermittent cannonading on the Scmme, and at Vcidun. BRITISH SUCCESSES, London, Nov. 3. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We surprised and captured a trench east of Gueudecourt, and successfuiy raided trenches at Etrcnas.