South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-08
ReCapture Trenches Taken by
KaiSer'S Troops on Mon
day-Counter At
taCkS Fail.
NO CHANGE NOTED
IN VERDUN REGION
Artillery Shells Road in Ar
come Where Auto
Transports Were
Plying.
International News Service:

ApNcfuhll0udA ANtNo 'FAfANts
PARIS. March 8.-Today's com
munique from the war Office an
nounced the recapture Of some
trench sections In the Champagne
region by French troops. These
trenches had been taken by the
Germans on Monday.
In the Verdun region, the COM
munique states. there was no change
in the situation during the night
The Germans continued their bonn
bardment on the west bank of the
Meuse without attempting any in
fantry attacks.
The text Of the ccmmunique fol-
lows:
I'm the Cham payne region. TO the
east Of MaisOns de Champagne. we
launched an attack which placed us
in possession of trench sections cap
tured by the enemy on March 8. In
ne course Of this action we took So
prisoners. Of whom three were Off
GERS. and captured "A machine gun.
"A counter attack launched by the
enemy shortly afterward against the
positions which we held. were re-
pulsed.
''In the Argonne our artillery
shelled roads In the region OF Mont
faucon on which automobile trans
ports we're reported.
I'm the region 10 the north OF
Verdun no change was reported dur
ing the night. The Germans have
continued their ombardment of our
front 10 the west Of the Meuse with
cut attempting any infantry attacks.
Our batteries have responded ener-
geticaliy 10 the enemy's fire in that
sector. as well as 10 the east Of the
Meuse. where the bonn bardment has
been intermittent.
I'm the WOevre region there was
a very violent artillery duel We
bombarded Blanzee, Grimaucourt
and the outskirts of Fresnes. An
attack by the enemy upon our rail-
ways and the Manhuelles road was
shattered by our curtains Of fire
from our artillery and our infantry
fire"
Think Kaiscr's Scheme Doomed.
Despite German gains at FORCES
and Fresnes. military experts are
confident that the kaisers grand
scheme 10 encircIe Verdun and cap
ture Gen. Joffre's army is doomed
10 failure.
The Germans are methOdically
trying 10 pound their way 20 victory
with masses of heavy guns. but as
they advance they find the French
positions stronger and stronger. and
fresh artillery has been going 10 the
front for a week 10 reinforce the
French batteries.
The fact that Verdun is nearly
two-thirds surrounded by German
troops is now regarded as significant
in military circles. for il IS believed
that the TeutOns have advanced
about as far as they viii be able to
go west OF Nerdun. which is the only
point where the kaiser's forces may
move forward 20 close the zap in
the circle.
II has been show. that the Ger
mans cannot advance from st. Mi
hiel 10 close the hole il. the ring
making IL necessary for them 10
move southwark along the west
gOnne II they are going 10 carry TO
a successful conclusion their enter
prise OF surrounding Nerduu
The southernmost point attained
BY the Germans in the Argonne is n
position south east of La ChaIade
and the distance from this place to
81 MihieI is 81 miles Hill No. g65.
south of FORCES. the farthest south
which the Germans have moved on
he west bank Of the Neuse. is IS
miles from -. Aiihiei
Thus If the Germans are 10 close
the gap from La Chalade they must
advance "a miles. driving the
french from powerful positions. If
they Try 20 forge the rims 10y moving
south from Hill No. 265 they not
only have to advance distance OF
IS miles. but % silence six or eight
OF the most powerful forts in east
ern France.
The total OF the German advance
on the west bank OF the Meuse yes
terday was not over 200 yards. ac-
cording TO dispatches from towns
behind the front
MAtlldtf men ANAN tAt capture Oh
FORCES was without any Importance
for the place holds no strategic i'm
portance whatsoever.
The military critic OF the Echo de
Paris. who is regarded as one of the
soundest writers on war matters in
France. says.
The Germans can triumph3ntiy
CONTINUED On PAGE FCyR.)