THE STRUGGLE IN THE VOSGES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 307, 27 December 1915, Page 5

THE STRUGGLE IN THE VOSGES.

ENEMY CONCENTRATING IN ALSACE. CLAIM THE RECAPTURE OF HARTMANNSWEILERKOPF. LONDON, December 25. A French communique states: "We hold all the ground captured in the centre and the right over a front of one and a-quarter mile south-east of the summit of Hartmannsweilerkopf, in the Vosges. X)ur forces on the northern slope retired to their original position after a violent bombardment and an enemy counter-attack. The Germans launched a violent attack between the summit of Hartmannsweilerkopf and Wattwiller. They were everywhere repulsed." Unofficial accounts state that the attack here is important, as the enemy is c.n..ntrating large forces'in Alsace, with a view to taking the offensive. A German communique states: "We completely recaptured Hartmannsweilerkopf. The 82nd Landwehr Brigade recaptured the summit. The enemy suffered extraordinary and sanguinary losses. They left 23 officers and 1,540 men prisoners. We are now clearing the northern slope. Our losses were 1100."