South Bend news-times., 1915-07-10
FRENCH MAKE BIG
GAIN IN VOSGES
High Explosive Shells Are
Blamed For Loss of Hill No.
81, Near Ban-de- -Sapt, in
Berlin Report.

LONDON, July 1O.-A sudden
French drive which carried the storm
ing forces well into the German posi-
tions has crumpled for the time being
the offensive which the Germans have
been carrying on for weeks in the
Nosges.
Crushing the German trenches on
Ban-de-Sapt by a violent artillery fire.
the French troops swept forward
driving the defenders from the height,
and driving on beyond not only re-
gained all the lost positions. but broke
through the German front for a gain
OF 700 yards on a 6O0-yard front.
The German lines were pierced on
a line extending from the hill south
OF La FOntainelle to Launois-HOyen-
tier railway. Military critics declare
this the most important victory in
months on the western front.
Berlin officially admits the loss OF
hill No. 81 near Ban-de-Sapt the war
office asserting that the German
trenches were blown up by the French
high explosive shells.
In the action the French captured
767 unwOunded prisoners Nineteen
German officers, one a battalion chief,
fell into the hands Of the victOrs. A
cannon. two machine guns, several
bomb throwers and great quantity
of ammunition were also taken by the
French.
Open Violent Fire.
Following this great French ad
vance the Germans opened up Eio-
lent artillery fire on the lost positions,
but at last reports from Paris the
bOmbardment had been weakened by
the vigorous reply Of the French,
while their marriage fire preluded all
attempts at infantry cOuuter-attackS.
Another striking gain for the allies
is reported by Paris from the Ypres
theater where the British, holding
their recent gains southwest Of Pilken
against continued furious German
counteT-attacks, have succeeded in
driving still further into the German
lines. The German losses Il is stated
have been severe.
According 20 this French report the
infantry engagements on the whole
front have made way for artillery
duels that between the Meuse and the
MOsellc being especially lively. In this
region earlier the Germans recorded a
gain OF $50 yards of trenches adjoining
The positions they recently captured
from the French in lie Petre forest.
AAH0ntlS ~ lllt nkiIlnGA VI AcV dAAA
two machine guns we're captured.
Germans Feel Loss.
Dispatches from Geneva state that
it is beyond doubt that German con-
tingents of all arms have been draft
ed into the NOsges the object Of the
Germans being to drive the French
back from Metzerai. the village
around which such fierce sighting took
place q week ago. The Germans feel
keenly. these dispatches say. the loss
OF MetZeral. AlteenhOf and Steinbruck.
The Germans had withdrawn their
picked troops and replaced them by
French commander at once flung his
troops against MetZeral, which was
taken after a furious struggle. Since
then the Germans have repeatedly
attacked the French positions on the
wooded spur to the northeast. the fire
from which not only dominates Met
Zeral, but sweeps the defenses to the
far end of he valley.
Unofficial reports Of the fighting in
this region state that Munster, the
key TO the great German works at
ClOmar. already is under fire of the
French artillery and that a mill which
had been made over into a miniature
fortress by the Germans, has been de-
stroyed.
To save Munster. it is stated. the
Germans have fortified the entire val
ley of the Fecht and are rushing great
numbers there 20 preclude a sudden
blow by the French.