The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-17
Three Days of Aggressive Charges Net Nothing
 to Enemy
VIOLENT ARTILLERY
 ATTACKS FREQUENT
Gas Bombs Used on Infantry With Little Damage-Gas Cylinders Belch Deadly Fumes for
 Half an Hour

London, May l6,-(5:45 D. m)-Renewed attempts by the Germans to break through the British lines near Ypres Mon day. Tuesday and Wednesday last there being only artillery engagements on the last named day. are described by the British official observer in the field in the following narrative:
 "on Monday fighting was confined to the Ypres salient where 1t continued to rage with the same intensity as on the day before Smelling was maintained in the morning but no infantry attack was delivered until afternoon when the can nonade increased The enemys apparent purpose was to wear us out and so bat ter our trenches by high explosives that an easy passage would be secured for his infantry.
 Along the eastern face of the salient our line runs from the Ypres-Zonnebek road .a little to the east of Verlerenhoek, in g southeasterly direction to the Menir, high road, skrting the eastern edge of the Belewarde woods. south of the Men in road it continues through the center of the woods for about 1900 yards and then cmerges and runs outside to Swart- eleen and Hill 60.
 After their artillery had done it's worst the bombardment being the most violent up until now, experienced on that DOT ton of the front the Germans brought their gas cylinders into play After all lowing time for the gas to produce its expected result, their infantry advanced to assault our trenches. held as they thought by stupefed or dead men. Un- luckily for them, however our men were very much alive.
 Strange Scene Witnessed
 "A strange scene was witnessed Through the scattered woods and acros the cearings streamed a loose and dis ordered mob of attackers, some of thos in front. according to report, in Brit ish uniforms to put us off our guard Suddenly our infantry poured in rapi' fire on the advancing crowd, who threy themselves fat on their faces. That wa the chance for our guns They poured il heavy shrapnel fire and in a few mo rnents the ground was thick with dea and dying Germans.
 At one point the Germans gained portion of oar position but apparent were forced to retire by the gas.
 "Another effort to drive us from ou trenches by means of gas was made mort of the Ypres-to tonnines canal. The Ger mans here had two batteries Of cylinders placed SD that their nozzles projected owe the parapet and for half an hour clou of white gas belched forth It was s dense that when standing in it ma could not see his hand and it's fume bleached the grass.
 No Infantry Attack
 "No infantry attack was attempted am although our trench had to be evaeuate for time, II soon was reoccupied Ou troops on the flank prevented any advanc on the enemys part. From the move ments that could he observed in thei lines il is probable the Germans sui fered equally from the effects of the ga and had to leave their own trench
 About this time third attack too place north of the Menin road and tn enemy for time occupied our trenche in the outskirts of Bellewarde woods, bu was criven out by a counter attack.
 "Tyus another day of this prolonge battle had passed and still our positio was secure. The enemy's infantry wei beginning to show signs of exhaustio and the sight of the ground that lay bt tween the hostile lines, filtered mol thickly every day with their comrade corpses. could ha rdly have been encoul aging to, the endorsements brought Ill None the less they were not yet beatel
 'On the morning of the nth host