The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-07
FRENCH HOLD GERMANS.
Latter Unable 90 Leave Trenches
Despite Artillery Preparation.

PARis, April s.-By means of a series
of small engagements the French troops,
which are slowly recovering ground be-
tween the caillet,e wood and Douau-
mont. regained to-day zoe meters t2l9
,ards) Of positions on u front OF 500
meters ,5A1 yards).
The gain was made by hand to hand
fighting \ German counter attack
which was started toward night broke
down under the French fire.
The Germans appeared TO be about TO
make an attack Oh this side of the river
to-day when they directed violent
bombardment against the Cote du
Poivre. north Of Bras. but the French
artillery at once concentrated heavy
fire on the German positions ana the
German infantry was unable 10 leave
its trenches.
Germans Held In Trenches.
The official communiaua issued bv the
French war Office tonight follows:
In the Argonne we exploded mine
in the region of Vauquois.
West Of the Meuse the Germans con-
the salient of Bethincourt and the VII
lages of Esnes and Montzeville.
East OF the Meuse the Cote du
Pojyre was submitted in the course OF
the day to violent bombardment
which appeared To presage an attack
but our barrage fire prevented the en-
emy from leaving his trenches.
Southwest Of Fort Douaumont
series Of small combats which de'el-
oped into hani 10 hand hghtihg
enabled our troops to make progress
in the enemy communicating trenches
and works on "A from, Of 500 meters
,541 yards) and to depth of more
than ZOO meters t219 yards). coun-
ter attack launched 10y the enemy at
the end OF the day was completely
checked.
In the WoeNre our batteries exc
cuted concentrations of fire on various
points Of the enemy front
In Lorraine our artillery was active
to the east of Luneville and between
the Vezouse and the Nosges,
There was no important event to re-
mort on the rest of the front. aside
from the customary cannonade.
4 heavy German attack on the west
ern bank OF the river last night Sainet
a foothold in the village OF Haucour'
two points Of the ANocourt- Bethincour
front Haucourt and Bethncourt, ano
continued through the night, The at
tack at the latter point failed completely
Haucourt, which is In hollow DOM
mated by the heights to the east. is nov
under the fire of the French guns of
these heights, the communique ISSUED
this afternoon says.
simultaneously with the German at
tack the French forces at the Avocour
redoubt made n successful sortie Tor tn'
purpose of connecting up their own po
s!tion with another on the edge OF tn
wood to the north In the course of thi
operation the French occupied I'M
greater part Of the Bots .Carre and tool
fifty prisoners.
Two German counter attacks las
night on the positions retaken 10y TN
French north Of Caillette wood. east o
the river We're repulsed.
GermRns Repupsed.
THE afternoon communque was a
follows.
In the Areonne district Il surprise
attack delivered by ny this morning
on one OF the eneiny's trenches near
the highway OF st. Hubert resulted in
our infiicting perceptible losses on our
adyersaries and in bringing mack 10
our lines some twenty prisoners.
During this attack our artillery in
the next sector violently bombarded
that portion OF the Bois d'Avocourt
occupied by the Germans.
, In the region of Verdun the enemy,
| after the relative calm OF yesterday
| afternoon, gave evidence OF very great
| activity during the evening hours. As
the night progressed there took place
west OF the Meuse a bombardment or
extreme violence in the region be-
tween Avocourt and Bethincourt This
WAS followed by series or attacks In
| which large numbers OF men took part
against the two principal saiients OF
this front All the enorts OF the
enemy against the village OF Bethin-
| court were checked by our fire.
| Al the same time the enemy de-
| uvered "A furious attack on the centre,
AGAINST the village OF Haucourt. In
| spite OF repeated checks and OF bloody
| sacrifices they we're successful In get
! Tin. a footing during the night in
| this village. We now hold the village
under the fire of our dominating posi-
tions
French Gain GrOund.
ON our side. after a short prepara-
tory artillery fre. we delivered a
spirited attack, our men coming out
from the redoubt of AvOcourt. there
nurpose being to connect this redorbt
Nth one of our works situated on the
boundary line Of the wood to the
north Of AvOcourt. During this opera
tiop, which was IN all respects sue
cessful, we occupied large portion OF
the territory known ~ l.e BOis Carr
| ana tO0k nfty prisoners.
East Of the Meuse two attacks on