Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-06
Germans Lose Large Portion
of Their Positions North
of Avocourt.
WAGE BITTER FIGHT
Kaiser's Men Are Showed
Back During Battle of
Day and a Night.

Paris, April 6, (2;1O p. m.)-The war
Office announced this afternoon cap
ture by the French of a large portion
Of the position north of Avocourt,
known as Bots Carre or square
woods" This ground was captured in
the course of fighting which went on
all Of yesterday afternoon and last
night in the Verdun region west of the
Mouse on the Avocourt- Bethincourt
line.
At one point along the Avocourt-
Bethincourt line the Germans succeed
ed in penetrating French positions.
Two attacks were made by German
troops against French positions north
of Caillette woods but they were with
out result.
French War Report.
The text of the communication fol-
lows:
In the Argonne district sharp at
tack by US this morning on one of the
enemies trenches near the highway st.
Hubert resulted in our inflicting
heavy loses on our adversaries and
taking back to our lines some twenty
prisoners.
During this attack our artillery in
the next sector violently bombarded
that portion of the Avocourt woods
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
to the west of the Mouse a lombard
men. of extreme violence in the region
between Avocourt and BethincOurt.
This was followed by a series Of at
lacks in which large numbers Of men
took part against the two principal
salients of this front. All the efforts
Of the enemy against the village of
Bethincourt we're checked by our fire.
During this same time the enemy
delivered a furious attack on the CEN
ter, against the village Of Haucourt.
In spite of repeated checks and Of
bloody sacrifices they were successful
in getting a footing during the night
in this village. We now hold the VIII
Iage under the fire Of our dominating
positions.
con our side after a short prepare
tory artillery fire, we delivered spir-
tied attack, our men coming from the
redoubt Of Avocourt, their purpose be-
ing 10 connect this redoubt with one OF
our works situated on the boundary
line Of the wood TO the north Of Ayo-
court. During this operation which
was In all respects successful, we &C.
Cupied a large portion Of the country
known as the lie Cervny and took bO
prisoners. To the east of the river
Mouse TWO attacks on the part Of the
enemy directed against our position TO
ths north Of the Caillette wood result
ed only in serious losses to he Ger
mans.
There is nothing to report from the
remainder Of the front"
German War Report
Berlin, April (via London, 3:40 p.
m.l-German troops have stormed the
village OF Haucourt on the Avocourt-
Bethinco0rt front, northwest Of Yer
dun, the war Office announced today
The statement follows:
Western front: There was great &C
ttytty vest Of the Mouse during the
day chiefly the preparatory fire which
We directed against the district Of Hau-
court During the afternoon the &C
ugity of our infantry became more
pronounced. II stormed the village OF
HaUcourt and the strongly fortified
French point Of support east Of the
village. In addition TO very consider
able losses in killed and wounded the
enemy lost 542 unwounded prisoners.
"On the right bank Of the Mouse the
French renewed the attempt against
positions we captured in Caillette for
est and northwest thereof on April 2.
This attack was checked quickly"