ON THE FIRING LINE.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 2918, 15 April 1916, Page 2

ON THE FIRING LINE.

EAST AND WESTERN REPORTS. Paris. April 13, A comniuniijue states: The night was .calm af Verdun. A Gorman attack prepared at dusk yesterday against Hill .'5Ol was unable even to leave the enemy's trenches, our curtain of lire enfilading them. Our lire on Oermaii columns assembled.at Malaneoiirt Wood rendered operations abortive. A Berlin wireless message states that the weather conditions arc adverse to observation generally, and hindered fighting during the greater part of yesterday. A French "gas attack north-east of Conipeigne was without result. Paris, April l-l. A eoininunif|!io states:' The bombardment of Hill .'3O-1. and the. Mor-thoniiue-Cu micros front continues. Our long-range gunfire started a fire at the Noveant-sur-Moselle station. London. April 13. The Germans claim to have captured 35,876 nnwonnded prisoners at Verdun between February 20 and April 10. Experts point out that this number exceeds the total French dead, wounded, and prisoners. The latter did not exceed 17,000.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enetny on Tuesday night, after a

heavy bombardment with a large pronortion of lachrymatory shells, raided our trenches near La Boisello. We drove him out on Wednesday night. The enemy thrice attacked our trenches north-east of Carney. Tbe attacks reaeh'od the trenches, but were drivan back.

Amsterdam. April 11. German troops and guns continue to arrive at the Yser front.

Ronie. April 14

A'communique states: The enemy, in a surprise attack, rushed our positions in the Ledro Valley, and also took Mount Sperone. In a counterattack, we recovered the positions, after a deadly hand-to-band struggle. We extended our occupation to the slopes of Mount Sperone.

We wrecked tbe enemy's trenches at St. Michele and San iVJartino with hand bombs. Artillery duels continue alone; the whole Carso front.

Petrograd, April 14

A communique states: After a violent bombardment, the enemy debouched at Mokriba. in strong columns. Our artillery - dispersed the Germans, who fell back to their trenches.

The Turks on the Caucasus front failed in their attempts to recapture the 'important sectors from "whence they were recently expelled. The enemy sprayed our" troops with poisonous liquid.

(Received April 15. 8.25 a.m.)

Paris,' April 11

A semi-official comment on the German explanation that "had visibility caused the slackening of the Verdun attack." says this excuse is far too simple. The truth is that the resumption of the offensive on the 9th, 10th. and 11th caused the Germans considerable losses, and they bad to reconstruct their decimated "units and fill the huge gaps in tbe ranks. Tlie only results of tbe offensive woro bloody hecatombs, tbe occupation of 500 metres of trenches, at: tbe foot of Morthoninie. contrasting with the 5 kilometres on a 9-kilometre front gained from Fehr'iarv 21 to 21. which was the only other offensive on the same scab?. Obviously the slackening wa.s due to the French defensive power increasing and the Gorman offensive power'deer rising , also fo the fact that the French material is constantly improving. Common sense justifies the belief thai tbe capture <>)' Verdun is beyond the enemy's strength. (lieceived April 15. 10.5 a.m.) Paris, April 14. Tho Kaiser issued the following exhortation lo his troops: The treaty of 1871 was-signed in Paris. Go forward, niv beloved soldiers. This time it is the end. Tbe treaty of 191.0 will be signed at Verdun.

A communique states: Events are relatively calm at Verdun. A small German attack south of- I ;niaiimont was completely repulsed.