WESTERN THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 17658, 16 February 1916, Page 5

WESTERN THEATRE

nUCSH TRENCHES BETAKEN. COUNTEB-ATTACK REPULSED. ONE COMPANY DECIMATED. PERSISTENT ATTACK BAST OP TAHUBE. ENEMY GAIN IN ALSACE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) PARIS, February 14. Received February 15, 8 p.m. Communique: South of Frise on Sunday evening we occupied portions of the German trenches, and repulsed the coun-ter-attack, decimating a German company. During the enemy’s attack on Sunday east of the Tahure-Somnepy road, we exploded three mines under the advanced sections where the enemy pushed the attack as far as our supporting trenches, where the attack completely failed. But notwithstanding serious losses by the explosions and artillery fire the enemy maintained himself in these advanced sections.

In Upper Alsace, after a violent bombardment, the enemy gained two hundred metres of trenches. Our counter-attack regained most of the ground. Artillery actions in this district have been very violent. ENEMY EXPLODES SEVEN MINES. SMALL INFANTRY ATTACK FRUITLESS. LONDON, February 15. Received February In, 10.15 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy exploded seven mines south of La Bassee Canal. A heavy enemy bombardment south of Fosse preceded the mine explosions, which were followed by a small infantry attack. / A few Germans entered our front 1 Stenches and were driven out. FRENCH COMMUNIQUE. VARIOUS ACTIVITIES. PARIS, February 14. Received February 15, 10.15 p.m. Communique: Wc blew up an ammunition depot northwards of Boesinghi. Our curtain of fire stopped the enemy's attempt to debouch on the Terny road and the right bank of the Aisne. The enemy, eastward of Seppois, carried out an intense bombardment, -and advanced to the trench elements which we had retaken and had evacuated, because they wore eventually wrecked. Our curtain of lire caught the enemy reinforcements advancing from the direction of Niederlarg. GERMANY’S INCREASED ACTIVITY. THE TOPIC OF THE HOUR THE POSSIBILITIES DISCUSSED PARIS, February 15. Received February 15, 11.45 p.m. The rapid, increase of activity on the western line is the principal topic. The men throughout the line are girding their loins for the struggle. The question is asked: Arc the Germans trying to find a weak spot or arc the various attacks preliminaries to a larger offensive anil intended to conceal its direction. The Crown Prince's presence in Alsace encourages rumours of a big offensive there, but Lc Temps' military correspondent believes that the great attack must necessarily he directed on the centre of tlic French line.