THE WEST FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16668, 13 April 1916, Page 5

THE WEST FRONT

ATTACK ON BETEINOOURT SECTOR. FRENCH PROVE THEIR SUPERIORITY. GERMAN CONFIDENCE SHAKEN. PARIS, April 11. The moment that the Germans on Sunvday leapt from their trenches, rushing 'against the Avocourt-Bethincourt sector, the French artillery opened a furious fire against the' dense formations. The enemy came through the woods, over the plateaus, and along the ravines, dropping in hundreds. They immediately re-formed, returning to the charge. They were thrice repulsed, but - thrice they returned, the only result being futile carnage. Even more violent was the struggle waged simultaneously around the, village of Bethincourt. The Crown Prince's evidenii resolve was to carry Morthomme at any cost. His 30,000 men were here divided' into two sections, the stronger attacking frontally, and the remainder trying to force a passage between Cumieres and the Meuse. Both attacks developed into a desperate hand-to-hand contest, each side fighting like >ma<Lmen.. ,■ The Frenchmen again proved their superiority, and when the conflict subsided the Germans yielded, while their battalions attempting a flank movement by way of Cumieres were practically wiped out. General Petain's strategical withdrawal at Bethincourt heightened the enemy's hopes of finding a vulnerable point. The enemy were so confident that they reverted to attack in close formation in broad daylight, and gave the French artillery a splendid opportunity to.break the . advance before it became dangerous. The French artillery in their new positions covered the ground whenever the enemy were advancing. Three attacks, each on the grand scale, failed.