Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-03-12
FRENCH REPORTS
TELL Of MONTH s
BITTER F FIGHTING
infantry Finally Make
Themselves Masters of
Strong German Positions
After Desperate Struggle,
tsv no"mno JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED w,ssi

tsY MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wlRsl
Paris, March II Gl:IG a. m.)-The
following official summary of recent
military activities in the Champagne
district, including the capture Of the
German earthworks at Beauseiour,
was given out in Paris today:
"A continuous action has been go
ing on in Champagne since the six
teenth of February The daily official
reports Of the war office have set
forth the developments in this fight
ing and the progress made. The very
strong pressure exercised upon the
lines of the enemy compelled the
Germans to bring to this point on the
front very numerous forces taken
from the reserves in other sections
and at the same time to make heavy
expenditures in ammunition.
Praises Colonial Infantry.
These incessant engagements, in
the course of which some Of the best
units of the German army have been
decimated, made it impossible for our
adyersaries to move any troops or
ammunition toward their eastern
front"
Among the numerous military
achievements, the capture Of earth
works at Beausejour was not the least
brilliant. our colonial infantry, to
whom this honor is due, gave proof in
this fighting Of a determination and
a spirit of sacrifice worthy of its glori-
Gus traditions.
"The earthwork or fort of Beause-
Jour is situated on rising ground be-
tween two ravines and it is surround
ed by deep trenches with communi-
eating trenches to the rear wide
enough to permit large numbers Of
men to advance
Counter Attacks Rcpulscd.
THE first attack was begun by our
colonial infantry, February %, under
cover of artillery fire. We first cap
tured the advance trenches. The
Germans made six counter-attacks,
but each time they were repulsed ana
forced to withdraw with heavy losses
We held our position during the night
but at dawn the attack was renewed
bv hand grenades and bombs. The
men withstood this attack, encouraged
by their officers, who, although
wounded, appealed to their men to
he brave and courageous in the face
of fire. This detachment, however,
was killed almost to the last man and
The survivors were forced to retire
in the face of overwhelming numbers.
Trenches Hcapcd With Dead.
"The attack was resumed February
! q by two battalions Of colonial IN
/ fartry who succeeded in capturing
the trenches. A brilliant bayonet
charge heaped the trenches high with
| German dead.
THE work Of fortifying the trench
es was Immediately begun with the
idea of withstanding heavy counter
attack. This expected attack was
made al nightfall A company OF
French infantry ordered in to assist
charged and beat off the German as
sault ...,
THE cannonading continued
throughout the night we Were
doubtful if the small band of defend
/ ers could hold out until dawn. When
there was sufficient light the German
attack was resumed with more ihlen
sity than ever. Guns Of various can
Der rained their fire on the posilloh'
The brave band still stood firm orlV-
ing back attack after attack un'li
nightfaI when the bombardmenI
ceased.
Under cover of darkness the posi-
ton was secured by advancing trehcii
infantry. The fort was now ours anu
the brave colonials were renewed