The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-13

'F''tAt W " HN
LoNpoN. May 12.-The strongest blow
directed at the British front IN France
since the Germans concentrated their
attention on the Verdun front was struck
sudd, My last night northeast of Yer
melles.
artillery bombardment. Some 500 yards
of the first line Of British trenches were
occupied by the attacking German forces
as u result OF the assault. Later In the
night the British. by counter attacks re-
gained Il portion Of the lost trenches.
The net result of the nights fighting
has not been announced.
Thc following report from British
Headquarters in France vas issued to-
night by the official press bureau:
Yesterday evening, after a heavy
preliminary bombardIneut. the enemy
succeeded IN capturing about "uO
yards of our front trenches north
east of Ncrmelles. We Icgaincd "A
portion of the ground lost BY counter
ATTACKS during thu night. To-dty
there was no further infantry action,
but there VIC considerable artillery
activity in this ,ghborhood.
Further north. opposite tuinchN, we
bomharded an enemy position. ttli"r-
wise IN, re was nothing but MINOR
artillery du.ls al various points Of the
front. principally In tn regions OF
Th.cpyal, Ncuvllle-St. Vast, Mes
sincs. Noorcmez,elc, ST. I,oI and 10
IN" East OF 1pres.
The German War Office Ia It's state
meut to-day says that several lines of
BRITISH position were taken by storm IN
tine attack and that ny TO the time the
report was received ~ unwoundcd
prisoners and several machine Suns had
been brought in. \ counter attack made
by the British was described as futile
and the statement says that the BRUSH
forces suffered heavy los -.
The German statement said
southeast Of the iIu"ei.zollcrn re-
doubt. near Iiuliuch. German oatta.ioiis
from the Rhcui.h TtlatiuHtCr st"rined
several lines OF = I'ritlsh position YES
| terday. Ia to this tim" ~ u~nw"Inded
prisoners hay. been brought ia. several
machine guns were taken. The neiny
suffered heavy losses, especially dirlIS
4 futile counter attack.
In the Aigunre III. French attacked
1t File Morte. using flame throW"r@.
! The attack failed.
IN the Meuse district ,hcr. has been
lively artillery fire by both sides. Aside
from "A feeble atteu.pt hN thu French
! IN the Boi. 81, Thidumo,t Their, has
been no important infantry action,
The from; on which the Germans mad,
their gain II the hotly contested sector
between the liphenzUllern rrioubt auo
the tIulluch quarries. Advances Wrr,
made by the British in this region. Whici
Is north ~ Lo"s. in IN" offensive ln'
auguratcd last September. The Hoh"n
zoilern Iedouht was on" al ia, positions
.hcn wrest-d from the Germans. who %
a heavy attack all along this sector oi
October = r~-cdptur.I the position. Tci
DAYS later. in IN, course ~ another at
tack, ia, liriiI~u recovered Tho Nti'
french o' the rcd ubt. since tGtt an
There ha- u.,r Intermittent tsu'ir-
throughout it, r.s OF. chiefly 20 tu'
form of mine lighting aud hand GRENADE
Colnhats.
Heavy attacks on the British section
Of the front hav. been looked for II,
tiritish military writers for weeks. thrt
theory being that there would he q trans
ference Of the German nfteu>iy" iron
the Nerdun region 20 the western 0ar
Of the 'front.'. and the several protruct,'
lull~ in the ac;,y:'y before Nordun haV
been pointed out - a p~o~~ihl" indication
that heavy artillery Wa~ being sent q
IN" west. pu April - In. 'irrUa't~ dis
played marked activity an along IN
british front, with heavy attacks in TIA,
Loos soc or. but after twonty-tpur h"ur
the offensive was dropped for 'hc tm
being