South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-08
FRENCH TAKE TRENCH,
WIPE OUT DEFENDERS
q
Capture All Who Were Not
Killed in Assault on Fortifi-
cation Southwest of CarenCy
ARTILLERY Duel Continues.


BERLIN (by wireIess). Feb. s.
Further success for the German troops
operating in the Argonne is claimed
in an official report from the German
general staff issued here this after
noon. II admits a slight loss south
west Of LaBassee, but declares that
part OF a short trench taken there
was subsequently recaptured.
The official report follows:
In the western thcater the battle
for our positions on the canal south
west Of LaBassee continues. We have
recaptured part of a short trench
taken by the enemy.
'In the ArgOnne we took part of
our opponents fortified positions yes
terday. Nothing else of importance
occurred.
Eastern theater-On the east
Prussian frontier, southeast of the
plain of the lakes and in Poland, on
the right bank OF the Vistula. "a few
successful engagements of local i'm
portance occurred. Otherwise there
is nothing to report"
CAPTURE GERMAN TRENCHES.
PARIS, Feb. S.-The capture OF a
German trench to the southwest OF
Carency, which lies northwest OF
Arras, is the chief announcement
ment made in this afternoons official
communique. Blowing up the trench
with a mine. the French immediately
thereafter made a surprise attack
All the Germans in the trench were
killed or taken prisoners
In the Champagne region, north or
Massiges, a tentative German attack
was checked yesterday by the French
artillery, as was also another in the
directory of FOntaine Madame in the
ArgOnne.
The official communique follows
From the sea TO the Oise there
was an artillery duel yesterday. This
was rather violent in the region OF
Cuinchy. west Of LaBassee.
TO the southwest of Carency we
succeeded in a surprise attack upon
German trench which was blown up
by a mine and its defenders were kill
cd or taken prisoners.
"On the Aisne front and in Cham
pagne there were intermittent bonn
bardments. The efficacy of the artil-
lery tire was demonstrated at several
points.
'.To the west of Hill No. 191, north
OF Massiges, our batteries checked an
attempted attack.
I'm the ArgOnne an attack by the
enemy in the directory of FOntaine
Madame was repulsed. At Bagatelle
the Germans began a violent infantry
we were maintaining our position.
Ion the rest of the front there is
nothing 10 report
Austria sends Men.
Despite the critical situation in the
eastern theater Of war Austria Is
sending reinforcements to strengthen
the German army in Alsace-L Lorraine.
Artillery is also being transported
from upper Austria and Bohemia. In
the fighting east of st. Die and near
AItkirch number of Austrian artiI-
ierymen were taken prisoners 10y the
French. These prisoners told their
Captors that a large number of heavy
Austrian guns have been concentrated
near Strassburg and Metz and also
at Muelhauseu.
A severe artillery duel has been in
progress along the Disc and Aisne
rivers Further 10 the north the Ger
man guns have been hurting lyddite
shells OF terrific power against the
trenches captured by the French near
Arras on Feb. 4. Fighting Is reported
from the IlaBaSse district where the
German and British infantry were at
grips south of Eesnubert and Guinchy.
The German forces in Champagne
defending the railway line running
through Bethonville and MOntpOis are
hard beset by the French operating on
the Perthes-BeausejO jour MasSigeS line.
Attack and counter attack come in
ouick. succession in that district where
neither side is giving the other any
rest
In Alsace the French lines now lie
north and south OF Muelhausen as
well as 10 the west OF that German
stronghold. The country has been
devastated by warfare. Farms are de-
serted and towns and cities are in
ruins from shell fire or COntagrations
set bv the bST1bardment.