FIGHTING ON THE AISNE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15830, 29 January 1915, Page 5

FIGHTING ON THE AISNE.

GERMANS ATTACKING.

HEAVY ASSAULTS FAIL.

SHELLS CAUSE LANDSLIDE

TROOPS TRAPPED IX QUARRY.

Wellington-, January 28. The High Commissioner reports from London, January 28:—" Paris reports that the enemy attempted a coup-de-main in the Saint Mard wood, near Tracy 1c Val, in the Aisne region. After a sharp fusillade they exploded a mine which wrecked the allies' trenches on a front of 50yds. The enemy were unable to establish themselves,there owing to the allies' artillery. The trenches were reoccupied and reconstructed.

" In the fights of the 25th and 26th, near Craonne. a landslide caused by heavy projectiles imprisoned two companies of the allies who formed the garrison of an old quarry which was being used as a magazine shelter at La Creute.

" The enemy having gained a footing crept into Foulon wood, and rendered thg neighbouring trenches untenable. Brilliant counter-attacks restored a good part of the lost ground.

"The ardour of our troops was beyond praise. The enemy left a thousand dead in addition to prisoners.''

4RDOUR OF THE ALLIES.

"BEYOND ALL PRAISE."

fß«ceiTed January 29. 12 5 a.m.)

Paris, January 28.

An official communique states: "The enemy blew up 50yds of the allies' trenches in the Tracy le Val district, but were unable to seize the positions owing to our artillery fire. We subsequently reoccupied and reconstructed the trenches.

" Our counter-attacks recovered most of the ground previously lost west of Craonne, where a landslide had cut off two of our companies. "The ardour of our troops is beyond all praise. The enemy abandoned 1000 killed. Prisoners taken belonged to four different • regiments."