New-York tribune., 1916-01-11
Champagne Battle Was TO
Begin New Drive,
Says Paris.
TRENCHES CAPTURED,
BERLIN ASSERTS
But Paris War Office Says Lost
Ground Has Been
Regained.
lEv Gable 10 The rTihuns !

London. Jan. 10 What may he the
first attack Of the long heralded Ger
man offensive in the west has been
thrown back with heavy losses, accord
ing to the Paris olical statement is
sued tonight
The Germans succeeded in penetrat-
ing the French first line trenches at
two points. north of Massiges and near
La Courtine. Paris admits.
Berlin claims that an observation
post and trenches several hundred
yards in extent were captured, to-
gether with 42S prisoners, seven Off
GERS and seven machine guns. The
French assert tonight that most OF
the lost ground has been rcgained.
German Attack on Large Scale.
at is confirmed that the German
attack" SAYS the Paris statement. twas
IS much by the Importance Of the cf-
fectives engaged as by the means ON
ployed an action on large. scale, des-
tined 10 produce important results. but
it has ended IN a very abrupt check.
We know from an indubitable source
that one entire brigade was launched
against a SINCE point of the extensive
front OF the attack
For two days the Germans prepared
for the attack with an intense bonn
bardment. The heaviest artillery was
brought TO bear on the sector and
shells Of sufocating gas used with
more prodigslity tnan for many
months.
No less than four attacks were
launched during the night along front
of eight kilometres. but the French,
who had prepared for the assault,
moved down the advancing lines.
The French also claim 70 have
opened breach iu the German
trenches in the Bois des Chevaliers,
along the Mouse. The bombardment
here has been Of the severest kind,
hut as vet the oilcial communications
are silent as go any infantry attacks.
SufTocating Gas Used.
"In the Champagne the enemy devel-
oped the attack which he had prepared
yesterday" says the French statement,
by q violent bombardmeht. notably
with suifocating gas shells, during the
course Of the day and throughout the
night. lie attempted no less than four
concentric actions on a front eight
kilometres long, running from La Cour-
tine 70 Mont Tetu (west and east of the
Butte du MesniD.
Everywhere our fire decimsted the
adversary's force and stopped his Of
fensive operations short. The enemy
succeeded in gaining foothold mo-
mentarily only al two points of our
first line, 70 the northeast of the Butte
du Mesnil and 10 the west OF Mont
Tetu. A vigorous counter attack by
our troops promptly drove him out. At
the present hour he occupies only two
small elements Of advanced trenches"
later report said:
an Champagne the battle continued
during the course of the day. 4 series
of counter attacks enabled US 20 re-
occupy sucoessively almost ali the Sec
tions lost"
Berlin, on the contrary, asserts that
the French counter attacks broke down
and that the ground captured was re-
tanned. says the OHlcIdl repOIt'
"An attack developed by US to. the
north of Massiges. in the neighborhood
of Maisons de Champagne farm, re-
suited in the capture by our forces. OF
an enemy observation post and trenches
several hundred yards in extent, as
well as 423 prisoners, including seven
officers and seven machine guns ana
one large and seven small mine
throwers. A French counter attack 10
the east of the farm broke down.
German air squadron attacked enemy
warehouses at Furnes."