South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-01
Artillery SmaSheS FOrtifiCationS
in Course of Construction
and TeutOnS Lose Heavily in
the ArgOnne.
ARTILLERY DUEL FROM
SEA TO UPPER ALSACE
German Fire Along Center is
SiIenced to Save Cannon
From Destruction - Canad-
ianS RepeI LandSturm.

PARIS. Feb. 1.-Destruction of Ger
man trenches which were in the
course OF construction along the Aisne
river, by French artillery, is reported
in an official statement issued by the
war office this afternoon. 1t is stated
that the Germans have lost heavily in
the hard fighting which has been in
progress in the Argonne. Artillery
duels are reported from a number of
districts particularly west of Flaa-
ders
The official communique follows in
full:
Yesterday was marked by artillery
combats which were particularly in
tense in all the region to the north.
To the southeast of Ypres the Ger
mans attempted an attack on our
trenches TO the north OF the canal.
This attack was Immediately stopped
by the combined fire Of our artillery
and our infantry.
"All along the front Of the river
a me, from the junction OF his river
with the Disc and as far as Berry
Au-Bac, our batteries succeeded IN a
certain number of engagements IN de-
molishing some German trenches
which were being built, snelters Tor
m:tdailleuses and silenced IN seVerai
Instances the mine throwers and the
artillery OF the enemy.
In Champagne TO the northeast or
AIesnil-L es-Hurlas, we have conscll-
dated our position around a small
forest Of which we became masters
the day before yesterday.
fNn.n HnN
one OF real calm tlie Germans appar-
entity having lost heavily in the re-
cent fighting.
Ion the front at WOeyre. Lorraine
and in the VOsges, there is nothing
important 10 report.
Numerous artillery duels, from the
North sea to Upper Alsace are re-
ported in official dispatches TO the
war office Near Arras German ar
tillerv destroyed the belfry of the
catholic church at Fonquev- lers, be-
cause the Germans thought il was be-
ing used as an observation post by the
French.
Along the center the French guns
were predominant and several Ger
man batteries were completely
silenced.
IL is believed, however, that the hre
ceased to save the guns and that none
OF the cannon was destroyed.
on the North sea coast the Ger
mans are keeping up a continuous
bombardment against the Belgian anc
French trenches.
The French war office denies the
official claim of the German genera
staff that the French have lost Ango-
mont.
The following dispatch from st
Amer tells of the fighting at LaBassee
in which Princess Patricia's light in
fantry Of Canada figured:
German landsturm regiments at
tempted TO take the trenches OF the
Canadian troops by storm. but the
Canadians were ready for them. The
German charge suddenly came TO 9
halt in front of the trenches and the
Canadians leaped over the parapel
and began to counter charge. Then
trey found that the German soldiers
had become mired in the deep,sticky
mud and were crawling painfully back
toward their own lines. Four Canad-
ians were killed, but the German loss
was much heavier The next day
Lieut. Price OF the Canadians, was
killed while leading a relief company
60 the trenches Another officer
named Pearson. is reported TO have
been killed in the same way by q
German sniper. The Canadian troops
were bombarded by a German aero
plane at breakfast but despite theil
newness TO the war game, they be-
haVed like veterans