GALLANT FIGHTING.

Northern Advocate, 19 July 1915, Page 3

GALLANT FIGHTING.

FRENCH SUCCESSS IN THE

VOSGES

HILL 627 RETAKEN

RAPID ADVANCE,

(Press Assn.—Reed. S. 15 a.m.) PARIS, July 13

with

•The French "eye-witness the" fighting in the Vosges, describes the attack on Hill 627 dominating the region of Fontennelles and Launiois. The Germans by saps exploded powerful mines and approached within 20 metres of our position on the. hill. Then they assaulted at the cost of very heavy losses and succeeded :r< establishing themselves on the summit on June 22. The- Germans endeavoured to transform the hill into an impregnable fortress. The French made preparations and the recapture was completed on July 8, whan three columns, supported by numerous artillery, scaled the height and carried it after two days' fighting. The whole garrison, two battalions of the Fifth Bavarians and the Ers-taz Brigade were killed or taken prisoners.

Thanks to the rapidity 01 our movement the French loss was barely a qnarter of those of the Germans. The principal attack against the centre oi the hill was successful in less than ten minutes. Chief credit is due to the' artillery

The prisoners are all suffering from nervous shock due to the bombardment. They expressed horror of the shelling to which they were exposed. The German defence was practically wiped out, though it comprised five lines of trenches, dug-outs and extremely deep flanking works from which they could enfilade the position if we got a foothold. The works were protected with trunks of trees, while corrugated iron and gun-shields formed the embrasures.