FIGHTING IN THE WEST.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 698, 6 May 1916, Page 10

FIGHTING IN THE WEST.

STRONG GERMAN ATTACK. ADVANCED POINTS OCCUPIED. (Received May 6, 10.10 a.m.) PARIS, May 5. A communique states:—"After a violent bombardment westward of the Meuse, the Germans made a strong attack on our positions northward of Hill 304.%, The attacks were repulsed as a whole, but the enemy gained a footing at some advanced points. THE OFFICIAL REPORT. CONSIDERABLE GERMAN ACTIVITY. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, May 5, (2.55 p.m.). South of the Somme, a coup de main attempted by the enemy on our trenches in the region of Cappy was completely checked. West of the Meuse, after a bombardment of extreme violence, the Germans began a strong attack yesterday evening on positions north of Hill 304. It was repulsed generally, but the enemy took foot in some points of our advanced trench. East of the Meuse and in the Woevre, there has been intermittent artillery fire. THE BRITISH FRONT. MANY MINES EXPLODED. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, May 5. The British official report says the artillery on both sides has been active at Maricourt. Near Monchy, the enemy, after a heavy bombardment, raided our trenches, causing some casualties. At "Double Crasher" (between Souchcz and Hulluch) the British followed up a mine explosion by making a small successful raid on the enemy's dug-outs, which were bombed, causing some casualties. At Hoogc (east of Yprcs) we sprang a mine, damaging the enemy's underground workings. Maricourt is just north of the Somme, about six miles east by south of Albeit, on the railway to Peronne. Monchy is about 12 miles due north of Albert, and about nine miles south by west of Arias. THE GERMAN REPORT. BRITISH ATTACK FAILS. BERLIN, May I. An official communique says:— "There has been vigorous fighting at some points between Armentieres and Arras The British, following up a mine explosion, attempted an at lack north-west of Lens, but failed." STRUGGLE FOR VERDUN. A VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, May 5. West of the Meuse there has been ■a verv violeni bombardment in the region of Hill 304. At Mort Homme a small German attack on the Irenches we recently conquered was stopped by our curlain of artillery and machine-gun fire. A FRENCH SUCCESS. | ADMITTED BY THE ENEMY. BERLIN, May 4. An ollieial communique says:— "Though the French attack on the western slopes of Mort Homme was repulsed, the enemy gained a footing in our advanced positions on the south-western slopes of Mort Homme."