Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15560, 8 April 1916, Page 8

Progress of the War.

The detailed report from Sir Percy Lake of the successful operations on the Tigris , on Wednesday shows that the long delay since Major-General Townehend retired to .Kut-el-Amara in November enabled the enemy, under the direction of German engineers, to prepare a n exceedingly strong system of defences. As was explained yesterday, tho Turkish position necessitated a frontal attack, as its right flank rested on the Tigris and its left on the Suwaiclii Marsh, some distance to the north, thus preventing any outflanking movement. The enemy's trenches are said to have been nine feet deep, and they extended in successive lines to a depth of 2500 yards. It appears that Major-General Aylmer, who was in command of the British relief force, has been succeeded by MajorGeneral G. F. Gorringe who was reported to have been wounded some weeks ago. The fighting seems to have been very much on the same lines as that on the Western front. The British trenches had been pushed forward by means of saps to within 100 yards of the enemy's position. The attack was supported by concentrated artillery a n d machine-gun fire, and tho first three lines of the enemy's trenches were soon carried. An hour later the 13th Division, which gained fame in the August fighting on Gallipoli Peninsula, captured two more lines of trenches. On tho south side of the river, the 3rd Division took the enemy's trenches opposite Umm-el-Henna. In the evening a further attack on the north side of the Tigris completed the capture of what is described by the Turks as the Fclahie position. The captured positions were consolidated after the repulse of a strong counter-attack. This advance brings the relief forces within eleven miles of Kut-el-Amara, but further heavy fighting must be expected, and probably even stronger positions carried, before a junction can be eifected with the long-beleaguered troops at Kut-cl-Amara. The latter position is immensely strong, and provided that he has ample stores, Major-General Townshend is in no immediate danger. On the Western front there has been heavy artillery fighting in the Verdun sector. The Germans, after a series of violent. attacks, gained a footing in the village of Haucourt, at the cost of '• bloody sacrifices." The enemy was repulsed elsewhere, and the French gained a good deal of ground in the Avocourt Wood, further south. On

Thursday the enemy attempted an attack on Pepper Hill, between Fort Douaumont and the Mouse, but the French fire prevented his infantry from leaving their trenches. Hand-to-hand fighting nearer the fort enabled the French to gain ground along a front of over 500 yards. t<> a depth of an eighth of a mile. South of Ypres, the enemy, after a very heavy bombardment, strongly attacked the positions recently gained by tlio British at St. Eloi. Fighting started early on Thursday morning, and was continued all day, with what result is not yet known.