The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-30
FRENCH REPULSE
GERMAN ATTACKS
Three Drives Frustratcd-Vcr-
dun Battle Believed Vir-
tually Ended.
BATTERIES WITHDRAWN
Special rabie Despafch 10 Tne srs.

Special Cabie Despatch TO TINS sus.
PARIS. April 2~o.-Thrce attacks were
Initiated by the Germans yesterday at
tcrnoon against tho French positions In
the Veriun region. The first Of these,
on the west bank Of the Meusc. WIS
frustrated before the attacking troops
had been able to leave their trenches.
The two others. on the east bank of
the river, broke down under the fire
OF the French artillery and machine
guns. Thus the first offensive attempted
by the Germans in this region for some
days failed.
French observers detected tho pres
cncc of massed Herman troops in the
German communicating trenches north
q! Hill 30i. between the Buis d'Avo-
u and lie Mort Homme yesterday
afternoon. II was evident that AN at
tack Oh the French lines was contem-
plated. french bomb throwers went
forward at once. checked the projected
assault and the French artillery dis
pcrsed the German troops which were
t. take part in il. While this action
was going ON French guns also blew
W ~ munitiun depot behind the German
lines III this region.
Tho main attack OF the east OF the
river MAS made cast Of the Thiaumont
farm. south Of ,le village Of Douau-
mont and a little west Of the Douau-
n~out-F1cury road. The German art,l-
l,ry opened the attack with "a very
heavy preparatory fire on the first line
French trenches. Then flaming liquids
were thrown out and a fire curtain II
great Intensity was added as further
protection TO the advancing troops.
Heavy 1Ossrs 20 Germans.
The French artillery and machine
guns held the Germans well back from
the French positions and he attacking
forces were driven back with heavy
losses. The other attack on this side
Of the river was made between the ruins
81 the villages Of Douaumont and Vaux.
This attack also was held in check by
the French guns.
TIN afternoon communicate Was as
follows:
In the Argonne a surprise attack
executed last night at "A point to the
north OF lie -Four de Paris made IL
possible for us 10 clean UP some OF
the enemy trenches. and bring back
some prisoners.
On the left bank of the Meuse yes
terday at : o'clock in the afternoon
German troops were inassed in the
communicating trenches north OF Hill
w WIN ~ AA'a - ~
lines. They were AT once attacked
with hand grcnsdes and prevented
from coming out, and then dispersed.
our artillery caused the explosion OF
a depot of munitions In the same
egion
During the night there vas a zen
cral bouhardmcnt IN this sector. the
tre being particularly spirited in the re-
gions of Avocourt. Esnes and Hi 304.
n, ,h. Y,pl, ,.,L ~ th, Nalss N.S-
terday afternoon. after "A violent pre-
paratory artillery fire directed against
our first lines. together with q curtain
OF fire of great intensity. the Ger
mans delivered an attack against our
trenches east of Thiaurnont farm. in
which they employed flaming liquids.
tit down by the shells Of our artillery
aud the tire ~ our machine guns, the
encmy Was rrpulsed with hs,vy losses.
Al the SAM hour AN attack upon our
positions bctwcen Douaumont and
NauN also VAS checked by our lire.
Tie remainder Of the night passed in
relative quiet ON this part of the front.
In Lorraine we rcpulsed a strong
recommending parry OF the enemy in
front Of the Bois de Ranal. south OF
humeNre.
In the Nosges a small German at
tack with grcuadcs against one OF
our trenches at LA chapelotte was
effectively checked by our curtain of
fire.
The activity northwest Of Eerdun to-
day Was confined to the artillery. The
Germans bomharded the French lines IN
the liuis Il Ayocourt and IN the region OF
Hi 3Oi, on the west bank, n the re-
siun south Of Haudromont on the east
bank, as we'll a. the position. at the foo
of the M.use heights.