FIGHTING IN THE VOSGES.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13824, 20 July 1915, Page 5

FIGHTING IN THE VOSGES.

FRENCH EYE-WITNESS* ACCOUNT.

LOSS AND RECAPTURE OF

HILL 627

Parts, July 18

A French eye-witness, regarding the fighting in the Vosges, deficribes the attack on Hill 627, dominating the region of Fontenelle and Laumois..

The Germans, by many saps and exploding powerful mines, approached to within 20 metres of our position.

The hill was then assaulted at the cost of very heavy losses- They succeeded in establishing themselves on tho summit on June 22nd. The Germans then endeavoured to traasform it into an impregnable fortress.

The French preparations for recapture were completed by July Bth, when three colmuns, supported by numerous artillery, scaled the height and carried it after two days' fighting.

The whole garrison and two battalions of the Fifth Bavarian Ersatz Brigade were killed or. taken prisoner. Thanks to the rapidity of our- movement tho French losses were barely a quarter of those of the Gerraanß. The principal .attack against the centre of the hill was successful in less than ten minutes. The chief credit is due to the artillery.

The prisoners were all suffering from nervous shock, due to the bomhafdment. They expressed horror at the shelling to which they were exposed.

The German defences were practically wiped out, though they comprised five lines of trenches and dugoufe, and extremely deep flanking works, which cctild have enfiladed the- position if we had got a foothold. The,.works were protected with branches of trees, while corrugated iron and gun-shields formed the embrasures.