FIGHTING AT VERDUN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2706, 28 February 1916, Page 5

FIGHTING AT VERDUN

FIERCEST BATTLE OF MODERN TIMES

HUNS ATTACK VIGOROUSLY AND SUFFER HEAVY LOSSES ' ■ A NAVAL BATTLE OFF THE COAST OF JUTLAND RUSSIANS. 1 ASIA MINOR MORE TOWNS AND VILLAGES CAPTURED '

The great battle at Verdun, described as tlie most terrifio of modern times, shows no signs of Blackening, and it is claimed by the Germans that thoy have captured Douaumont, one of the permanent forts on the northern 'front. As yet tho claim is neither confirmed nor denied by the French, but a late report from London states that the defending army is meeting the assault in field-works, just outside the permanent forts. Both in Paris and London high confidence seercs to reign, in the ability of Verdun to withstand capture. ■ Tho London "Spectator" is of opinion that the Verdun battle is the opening scene in tho final .act of the great drama of the

war. There is a report, as yet unconfirmed, that the Russians have opened a general offensive in Galieia and Poland, and a forward movement is said to be imminent also on the ftalkan fronts. The Russians have made further headway' iff Armenia, notably towards the Black Sea coast, and in Persia they have captured Kermanshah, after dislodging tho Turks, during a storm, from strong hill positions. Sensational developments are reported in America. President Wilson is holding out strongly against a movement in Congress, said to be inspired pro-German lobbying, in favour of warning American citizens against travelling in belligerent ships. He declares that he will not consent to any abridgement of the rights of citizens 1 in any respeot.

MOST TERRIFIC BATTLE OF MODERN ' TIMES

■ THE FIGHTING NEAR VERDUN . GERMANS ATTACK WITHOUT THE LEAST REGARD TO LOSS OF LIFE Br T«loEraph—Presa Association-ConyriEht (Rec. February 27, 5.5 p.m.) i Paris, February 26. The latest news shows that the battle raging near Verdun is the most terrific of modern times, and though there has been twenty-four hours of snowstorm, it abated in ferocity in some seators only on Friday. Eye-witnesses narrate that tho German cannonade was such that all trenches and fortifications were completely overturned. A surgeon present on February 22 narrates that he saw a whole German brigade advancing in massed columns, which were suddenly caught by the converging fire of several French batteries, and .were annihilated almost to a man in a moment. Eight successive attacks on Haumont were repulsed witli enormous losses. Two Baden regiments were shattered by the fir.e of three batteries of seventy-fives, which were suddenly unmasked. The survivors were seized with a mad panic, and fled. Out of 2500 in one regiment, 70 answered the roll call. THE FRENCH CAPTURE THE ENEMY'S SALIENT. (Rec, February 27, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 26. i A French communique says: "We attacked and captured the enemy's salient south of St. Marie-Py, taking prisoner three hundred. There is snow in abundanoe at Verdun. The activity of both artilleries is extremely 'intense on the whole front, especially east of the Meuse, where the fighting is being pursued with the same vigour. , "Several German attacks, with large bodies of effectives, were carried out with nnparalloied yiolenco at Poivro Hill, but wore 'unsuccessful. We stopped an attack on the Vauche Wood. has been no infantry fighting west of the Meuse. ' GERMANS CLAIM TO HAVE STORMED A FORTRESS. (Rec, February 27, 5.5 p.m.) . LontTon, February 26. A German wireless claims that a Brandenburg Regiment stormed the armoured of Douamot, the north-eastern corn ok pillar of Verdun s permanent main line of fortifications, and says: "Douaniont is now firmly in our hands." FRENCH TROOPS ARE HOLDING THEIR POSITIONS. (Reo. February 27, 5.5 p.m.) . . Paris, February 26. A French communique says: "Severe fighting continues north of Verdun. The enemy is still directing his efforts against the front and east of the Meuse. _ According to the latest information, our troops are holding the positions against repeated enemy onslaughts, which are being made regardless of sacrifices. 'I he fighting in the Douauinoni region has been particularly fierce. Wo brought ouv advanced lines from Ornes-Hennemont nearer to the foot of tho Meuse Hills without fighting. Our artillery on both banks of the Meuse replies •unceasingly to the enemy's bombardment." .OFFENSIVE TAKEN AFTER THREE MONTHS' PREPARATION. 4 London, February 25. Paris newspapers state that tho Crown Prince has been organising his offensive for three months. The points of attack do not form part of the real dcfcnccs of Verdun. After profiting by the favourable terrain, the Germans now. face elevated and open country from the Meuse to Beaumont. Tho newspapers marvel at the prodigality of the sacrifice of Germany's best troops. The French put forward only one-seventh of those who might have been thrown into the action. s THE FINAL OFFENSIVE AGAINST FRANCE . Paris, February 25. The poiufc of the attack at Verdun—tho "wooded hills around Brabant — was well chosen, because of the equality of elevations there. Further east the Germans would have had to scale the edge of heights from the plain of Woovrc. Tho French were obliged to evacuate the hamlet of Haumont on Tuesday, but Goueial Humbert holds a high hill to tho south. The magnitude of the operations was revealed on Tuesday, but the enemy's effectives wore only fully developed on Wednesday, when dense masses of the Fifth German Army were fiur.g rank after rank, in the old phalanx formation, against tho Frcnch trcnohes between Brabant and Ornes. As a result of tho lighting two dangerous French salients were disclosed, duo to tho evacuation of Haumont. Tliroilghouf©Vedncsday night fighting was incessant. Attack after attack was launched against the village of Beaumont, without result. In"' order to avoid useless waste of life, General Humbert ordered the French front to be straightened out. Brabant was evacuated at midnight, so quietly that |he German infantry was not drawn from tho trenches. " Since then successive German Attacks have been delivered on tho villages of Snmogneux and Beaumont. All tho attacks were ineffective. Prisoners admit that some Gorman units wore completely wiped out. General von Deimling, on the eve of the battle, in an Army Order to the Fif-

teentli Corps, wrote: "A final offensive against France is commencing. I hope tho corps will distinguish itself as hitherto." The French losses were surprisingly small, despite gas shells, which were used, in great quantities, the French generals not exposing their men. The element of surprise was entirely wanting. The French had been bringing up reserves, and had ample artillery and enormous reserves of shells. Tho only thing feared is fresh devilry, like tlio first attack at Ypre-s. „ mmMIITEINT AKTILLERY ACTIVITY. London, February 25, 4.40 p.m. The High Commissioner reports:— In Argonne east of Vauqnois tho French have executed a fresh bombardment of enemy works in the region of Bois de Cheppy. There is intermittent artillery activity between Malaucourt and the left bank of the Meuse. Tho cannonading in the region north of Vordun is less violent; the enemy is not directing any attack on our position. In tho course of the night the French established a-line of resistance behind Beaumont, on the heights stretching from east of the Champ de Neuville to south of Ornes. The night has been calm on the rest of the front. COMMENTS BY FRENCH NEWSPAPERS ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. February 26, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 25. The "Matin." states that the Germans brought to Verdun all the available 42 and 30 centimetre heavj artillery, used against Serbia. The "Petit Parisien" says the Kaiser arrived at the front on Saturday and assured himself that everything was prepared. He ordered a general rehearsal of the reserves, manoeuvring them as though they were in the presence of the enemy. The Kaiser personally ordered the attack on Sunday. The "Actione Francais" declares that if the Germans wish to impress neutrals by launching an attack after sounding all parts of the French line for three weeks past, they must not persevere long by continuing tho offensive against the lines, and the entrenched line and camp at Verdun, for they will equal their losses in Hie attempt to break the Yser front. Another comment says the German army is like a bull which dashes forward with lowered head to battle with brute force. We did the Crown Prince too much honour in failing to consider the possibility of His Imperial Highness utilising such a primitive instinct. GERMANS DIRECTED NOT TO SPARE LIFE. ("Ernes" and Sydney "Sun" Services,). (Rec. February 26, 5.5 p.m.) ! London, February 25. The "Daily News" Copenhagen correspondent states that German officers informed neutral correspondents that the new offensive was a desperate effort to break the French fortress lino, thus opening the road to Paris. The General Staff has directed not to spare life. 1 THE PROCEEDINGS AT A WAR COUNCIL IN BERLIN. (Rec. February 27, 5.5 p.m.) ' Petrograd, February 26. The "Russky Invalid" states that, the War Council in Berlin was summoned to discuss tho best methods of dissipating the bad impression created by the fall of Erzerum. The German and Bavarian Crown Princes and Generals Hindenburg and Mackensen wore present. The Crown Princes hotly advocated nu advance against Verdun, which the field marshals opposed, urging that it would be better to develop the operations planned against Russia, where General Hindenberg said the chances of' success were greater. The Kaiser supported the Crown v Prince's, and orders were immediately given to complete the transport of reserves of men and material westwards. RAID ON NEAR LILLE. . London, February 25, 10.20 p.m. The High Commissioner reports Yesterday our aeroplanes carried out a successful bombing raid against an enemy aerodrome near Lille, all machines returning safely. Our artillery is active against the enemy trenches at Ypres, Comines Canal, and east of Boesinglie. London, February 26, '2.50 p.m. In the Champagne district we attacked and captured an enemy salient south of St. Mane-a-Py, making prisoner three hundred. North of Verdun the snow is abundant. Artillery activity is intense, particularly east of the Meuse, where the fight continues with much bloodslfed. Several German attacks were made with excessive violence, but without success. The action at Bois Delavanclie was likewise checked. There has been 110 action west of the Meuse. . SEVERAL FORTIFIED VILLAGES SAID TO BE CAPTURED BY THE HUNS. (Reo. February 26, 6 p.m.) , „ . London, February 26. A German wireless message says:—On the Meuse we exploited previous successes, and captured the fortified villages and farms of Champ Neuville Cote de Lette, Marmont, Beaumont, Chambrettes, and Ornes; in addition' the enemy's positions to the ridge of Longemont were captured by storm The enemy s losses were extraordinarily heavy. The total number of prisoners is above 10,000. ihcre is no information as to the booty or materials captured. FRENCH ABANDON ADVANCED OBSERVATION TRENCHES. „ „ . . , London, February 26, 5.50 p.m. JLhe High Commissioner reports:— . . Thero is severe fighting in the region north of Verdun, the enemy continuing to push his efforts from east of tho Meuse. According to the'latest information, the French are resisting in tho same positions'the repeated enemv assaults; the Germans are no longer able to count the sacrifices. In the region of Beaumont during the course of the day the fighting as sumed a sanguinary character, particularly on the Woevre front. The advance trenches which the French held smco last year as an observation line from Ornes to Hernemont, were withdrawn to the foot of the slopes of the Mense by commandant's orders, and not occasioned by enemy attack. The Frenol! bardinent° n b ° tJl banl?6 ° f MeUSe contiimed to the'enemy bomUNPARALLELED LOSSES OF THE GERMANS ON THE WEST FRONT. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. February 26, 5.5 p.m.) m. ( ,n ; M i) ji x n > London, February 25. The Daily News correspondent at Copenhagen reports that well-informed sources state that tho Germans suffered unparalleled losses durinc.the recent attacks on the West front. The Belgian towns have been clearaffor the re ception of tho severely' wounded, and are now overcrowded. Hospital trains are passing uninterruptedly into Germany. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S LATEST REPORT. . . London, February 27, 2.36 p.m. ihe High Commissioner reports:— There was a mine contest in the Artois district, to our advantage. The enemy's attack on our salient at St. Marie-a-Py was repulsed, resulting in three hundred and forty prisoners being captured. In the region around north of Verdun the bombardment continues. Our counter-attacks completely discomfited the enemy attacks. On Hill Dupoivro wo arc firmly established, and tho enemy has been repulsed. There lias been fierce fighting around the fortress of Douaumont, which is a portion of the advance position of our defence works. Tho position captured this morning by the enemy after' several fruitless assaults, which cost him heavily, has been captured afresh and repossessed by our troops, whom the enemy endeavours, but fails, to drive back. A French aviator brought down two German machines by machine-gun fire. A squadron of nine aeroplanes dropped three hundred and forty bombs in the station at Metz Sablon, and another squadron bombarded the enemy works at Chambley. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY AT YPEES. (Rec. February 27, 11.10 p.m.) London, February 26. Sir Douglas HaiV reportsWe sprang three mines on Friday night in the neighbourhood of Loos with satisfactory results. We repulsed this morning a raid on our trenches south-east of Marcourt. There was artillery activity on both sides about Ypres during the day. ANOTHER GERMAN 'WIRELESS MESSAGE. (Reo. February 27, 11.10 p.m.) London, February 26. A German wireless message claims considerable advances owing to the Kaiser's presence. East of the Meuse we captured the hills to the south-west of Louvemont, also tho fortified positions east thereof. Tlio enemy's resistance on the plain of ' Woevre broke down on tho entire front to Marphovillo, south of tile ParisMetz high road. Wo are closely pursuing. The reported capture of Champ Neuville proves erroneous.

OPENING SCENE OF THE FINAL ACT OF THE GREAT DRAMA (Rec. February 27, 11.10 p.m.) London, February 26. > Experts are discussing whethor the Verdun move is only a local or a win-or-lose effort to break through. The "Spectator" believes it is the opening scene of the final act of the great drama, and adds: "Verdun, on which hinges the defensive door, continues to hold. The Allies cannot bo beaten." Various estimates of the Crown Prince's forces range from a quartor to three-quarters of a million. . Most of the northern salient fell o'i Monday night. Since then village after villago has been stormed and captured at the cost of ghastly slaughter. The French have withdrawn to a line of Hold works on the high altitudes ust outside the permanent forts. The German outposts are within seven miles of Verdun, but the German attack covers not more than one-fifth of the perimeter, the rent of the defences being only subjectod to artillery fire, and it is onl,v the recently-couutructed earthworks that liav.e been captured,

Experts consider that the battle will break the French line, and not th# German offensive in the Champagne. Friday night shows that the hill attack was only of a temporary nature. The French artillery firing over measured ground accounts for enormous German losses, but the woightof the German artillery obliterated the field fortifications. The German claim of ten thousand prisoners is remarkably 6inall for five days' fighting on an advance of four miles and the capture of several small towns and villages. l'lio French are in high spirits. They are holding the town, and bringing up many reinforcements. The attack on Verdun forestalled the Franco-British offensive in Flanders. The Kaiser's presence is reported from many sources. He pitched his tent on the inclement slopes of Cotes Demouse, where he liberally harangued the troops. DOUAUMONT FORT CAPTURED BY THE ENEMY (Rec. February 28, O.IS a.m.) London, February 27. A French communique says:—A desperate struggle rages round Douaumont fort, which was captured by the enemy this morning after very great fosses. ■ ,