The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-01-28
Germans Cling to Hold on
Hill 30l-French Re-
new Attacks.
BRITISH MAKE BIG RAID
Celebrate kaiser's Birthday by
Dashing Over Frozen "NO
Mans Land"

LONDON, Jan. 27.-Uncertainty clouds
the situation at verdun. which is now
become the centre Of interest on the west
ern front. Activity which seems to fore
cast important fighting there is re-
ported by the French and German war
offices but in statements that disagree.
The German statement says that the
French. after attacking in vain last
night, tried again this morning to retake
the lost ground on Hill 304. The morn
ing attack likewise broke down san
gunarily," the statement says. The
French statement last night said a
counter attack had been largely sue
cessful. and to-day no counter attacks
are mentioned by Paris.
That more French counter attacks are
in preparation. however, is indicated by
the announcement in both the day and
the night statements from Paris that
the French artillery have focused upon
the Germans. who cling to parts OF Hill
sOi. The nre was destructive" the
report says.
Field of Action Brondens.
The sphere OF activity at Nerdun has
broadened and artillery fighting is 60
ing on also near Dead Man Hin. two
miles east of Hill 30i, and across the
Mouse, near Iouvemont and the Cau-
rieres wood. the big guns are thunder
ing. During the night there was spirited
firing at Les Eparges, ten miles south
east of Nerdun citadel. and there Ger
man surprise attack is said by the
French to have broken down under the
French fire. The Germans, however. say
a raid near Les Eparges was successful.
The official statements announce no
fighting of consequence elsewhere on the
front. They follow:
German-"Army OF Grand Duke AL
brecht OF Wurttembeg Southwest OF
Dixmude Belgian outpost of ten men
was captured without loss to the captors.
Army group of Crown Prince Rup-
precht: South OF La Bassee Canal sew
eral advances by British detachments.
prepared for by artillery fire. failed
Southeast of Chilly, south OF the Somme
! French troops advancing against our
trench were repulsed. Our own recon-
noitring parties found near Barleux
[south OF the Sommel the French first
line empty.
Army Group of tpe German Crown
Pfince-A frutless night attack by the
captured by us was followed during the
morning hours by further attack
which likewise broke down sanguinarily
Near Manheulcs. in the Woevre, and
on Combres Heights and in the bend of
the Meuse west of st. Mihicl reConnoit-
ring parties entered French trenches
and took therefrom about twenty pris-
oners. Raiding detaChments OF Han
/ overian Reserve Infantry Regiment No
/ - distinguished themselves on this oc-
casion as on preceding days
: French Les. DeRnitc.
Frcnch-"Quite spirited artillery
actions have taken place on the lef,
bank OF the Meuse, in the region of Hill
30i and lie Mort Homme, and on the
right bank, in the sectors OF Louvemon,
! and Bois Caurieres.
I in Lorraine our batteries destruc.
lively shelled the German organizations
in the Parroy forest. There is nothing
10 report on the rest Of the front"
Belgian-"There has been great ar.
tillcry activity in the region of Dixmud,
during the night and day"
The French day statement says;
"On the left bank of the River Meus,
our artillery has directed n destructiv,
fire upon the German forces in the sec
tor OF Hill 304. At Eparges the agtil
lery firing was fairly spirited \ sur
prise attack on the part of the enemy
in this region failed under our fire. An
other attempt upon minor positions a
Massiges. in the Champagne district wa;
easily repulsed.
The night passed quietly on the re
mainder of the front"