ATTACK ON VERDUN WANING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2711, 4 March 1916, Page 5

ATTACK ON VERDUN WANING

CAPTURE OF MANHEDLLES NO STBATEGIC GAIN TO, THE GERMANS t.' • i By Telegraph—Press A66ociation—Copyright Sefni-official.-—Tho latest news shows that the German attack at^Verdun °I' $ V UI SS. has not made furtho r progress. Though the enemy has ca£ tured Manheulles, he has gained no strategic advantage, as tho re4on is Tim r new line is stronger and our artillery commands Manb?ullcs German lnf , a^ r y at Douaumont have ceased. Our troous continue to surround the rums of Douaumont. "oops Our line.frqm Douaumont to the I'oivre Hill has been solidly reor-ani-ised and is now ready to resist themes t violent efforts of the enemy ° .Uie m the Oliampagne is confined to Jooal onprifinnc ft i not appear, likely that the enemy will extend this offensive Having sustained a prolonged check, the enemy realises t lie futility of the Verdun effort and is resting troopTLtoetain Tw',,7 if wc * h;,li oertainly know tho e " e<m - Y '^ LIVELY GERMAN ATTACK AT FRESNES. ' - doning ft ° tr ™ Ch el6mentS * her ? tW. . bad hioSarify SITUATION REGARDED AS STILL CRITICAL. 1 80110c > writing in'"land and Water" "Tim™ 1 ' 2 ' has launched a great offensive, upon wli ich will turn tV« ' *fi enom y It is another proof'that numbers wil brthe Ltermi. f T -° f warpaign. The result will have a great moral effect " S - Cai ?- inflict such losses as will render the enterprise whatever tho r object is to gic German defeat.' The Germans cl&im that K can n ain t' f rain of irresistible density, weight, and momentum Tho Vrm, i Mattering main ridge at.Louvemont, covering Verdun" whew the *trn,~ h Wt lB tided. Had tho enemy not occupied Douaumont the whole nd™ u° 1 been French, but in taking Douaumon t .tho. enemv carried t.fcn hi 1 + •! the . rMg., rfiicb ,».ition I« ol pal voh.o, Tl. sito.tioii J, J| c J™.' sua SffiZig" ty » *«AAS» CROWN PRINCE RECALLED FROM THE FRONT The Geneva correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" save has been summoned to General Headquarters, and the Duke <?f W W f 7" Ce has taken over the Crown Prince's command; of Wurteml ™rg. BOMBASTIC ARMY ORDER ISSUED, BY THE CROWN PRINCE" (Rec. March 3, 9.50 p.m;) The "Echo de Paris" states'that the Orown Prince on l?phr!f»r?^ 2 ' ■. an Army Order demanding the troops to make a new and decisive Jffn t ISS ing tnem that, he expected to review tliern in Verdun at the onA nf t? 1 assUr " and that the blow would compel the French to agreeto' peace ° f Feb ™''y> PREPARING THE GERMAN PUBLIC FOR A TRIUMPH The Kaiser has returned to Germany. His staff ers, photographers, kmematograpli operators, artists, and noots tn witnLc +1 opening attacks at.Verdun, and their accounts are being utHisorl l?v +h« t> and the cinemas to prepare the public for a great friSnnl Pl ' ess are evidently reticent about the later st ages of the battle! lhe news P a P ers ■ DISORGANISATION IN THE GERMAN STAFF. The "Daily Chronicle's" Geneva correspondent states fL Mainz disclose disorganisation in the German Staff as the result of the Verdun operations. Several Generals are advising that the offensive should nni- hi continued. The Chief of Staff, von Falkenhayn, continue, to send rei force ments. VERDUN IS PROBABLY A DIVERSION. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) , v • . London, March 2. bencial Verrau:;, in command 111 tlie Woeuvre, says"Probably Verdun is only a diversion, but wo have an uinvcakened line.elsewhere. The offen-ive 111 the Woeuvre is unimportant; the enemy is not likely to attemnt lareo movements in these soaked marshes." POUNDED TO DEATH BY THEIR OWN ARTILLERY. A I, ffi uo- n ■ PaHS ' March 2 - A I'rench omcer says:—"Six German companies were pounded to death bv their own artillery near Cliampnouvillo- 'Bm nnjn worn chain' armour vesta ind steel shWKUards. and carried avluidors for liquid lire."

ESTIMATE OF GERMAN CASUALTIES AT VERDUN. ~n ~ , „ Paris, March 2. I lie "Petit Parisian ' states that the German casualties at 'Verdun aro estimated at from 120,000 to 100,000. „„ . , , „ _ , London, March 2. Jno Daily Chronicle's Geneva correspondent states that an officer of the General Staff estimates tho losses from Friday to Monday at 75 000. GERMAN DEAD CREMATED IN"BLAST FURNACES. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) , , ' London, March 2. Amsterdam reports say that the Germans are clearing' the battlefields with masterly though soulless, efficiency, TRey are heaping tho dead in cat-tle-trucks, and sending them to blast iiirnaces to the north and the east. CONTINUED FALL IN GERMAN FOREIGN EXCHANGE. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ! „ ~ ~ , . , ', „ London. March 2. .Despite the German claims of a success at Verdun, the value of the mark continues to decline. - .VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT PURING THE NIGHT. . . London, March 2, 4.45 p.m. J.lie High Commissioner reports: — t In die Artois, tho French blew up a mine under an old crater occupied by the enemy, taking possession of the new crater. At Verdun tho' enemy violently bombarded during the night Dead Man ? :", r .. bo °r >s Hllls > between Malincourt and Forges; also the principal passages of life Meuse. East of the Meuse there has Deen slight artillery activity. At Woeuvr'e, after intense preparation by artillery, tlio enemy yesterday evening made a lively attack on positions at Fresnes, being immediately driven back by a counter-attack from some elements he liad penetrated. „ In Lorraine a bombardment lasting several hours was directed on the St." Marie Farm, west of Bezange; the enomy attack following completely failed. t ; „ Iu Alsace, attempts by strong German patrols on small posts in the Lauch Valley were-repulsed by grenades. JUBILANT TONE OF THE GERMAN PRESS. ' By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ' (Rec. March 3, 6 p.m.) The German Press is jubilant over Verdun, claiming expected success and all asserting that the German losses arfnot hea™. lour long-range shells destroyed Douaumont Fort. The "Eokal Anzeiger" says: "What has Mr. Asquith got to say to this?" nnitv. ' ■ - Sne Gaz ? ttc .' S!, >' S Germany has given the answer to Mr. Asquith a surprising speech with overwhelming emphasis vi le ' ,^rau^ lu 'tei'. Zeitnng" says: "We are risking everythin E for it is the life or death of Germany among the world Powers. Germany's answer' -,'i 1 ,v? t i gre h er vlol f ce > and the abandoning of chivalry, because -we are dealing with robbers and-murderers." . LUGUBRIOUS COMMENTS BY THE "COLOGNE GAZETTE." • ! ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. March 3, 6 p.m.) The tone of the German comments. indicates that ed because the peace feelers have been rejected. Therefore the Germans are wagmg the most savage offensive and maicmg desperate efforts to force a victory, but no paper-' predicts that Verdun will decide the war ' ' The "Coiogno Gazette" lugubriously comments on Mr." Asquith's and M Sazonoff s speeches, and complains that they used the language of conquerors' (lictating terms of peace to a defeated enemy. Germans must realise that the mww aiKllliort 111110 support the leaders, because the speeches were vigBRANDENBURGERS STILL IMPRISONED. V' " ' (Rec. March 3, o p.m.) ''The "Daily Paris correspondent says That 5S USt ' bo refiarded " n The extraordinary situation at For t- Douaumont has not changed 'J'hn Brandenburgers are still' imprisoned in tho ruins. ° DESPERATE STRAITS OF THE BRANDENBURGERS. . (Rec. March 3, 9,55 p.m.) The "Daily Telegraph's" Paris co respondent says the "tho JJrendenburgers aro hemmed in on all s ides. They cannot obtain food and ammunition, and desperate attempts to relieve tJieni failed. CONSIDERABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. The High Commissioner reports:- L ° niion ' 3 ' 2 ' 35 a-m ' In the. region -north of .Verdun artillery activity, which recently abated, has liov developed considerably, and is increasing in energy, particularly at ■Morthomme, l'oivre Hill, and Douaumont. The latter plaie was very violently attacked several times, but the attacks were repulsed with heavy losses We bombarded the station at Vigneulles, causing two fires and hit tine trains, exploding an engine. fa We air-bombed the station at Chambley, doing extensive damage We also dropped forty bombs on the station at Beauxdort. ° - 'GREATLY INCREASED ACTIVITY ON THE WHOLE FRONT. (Rec. March 3, 9.50 p.m.) .. ■„ , . m , , Paris, March 2. A French communique says:—The enemy's artillery fire' northward of Verdun and in theJVoeuvre has greatly increased in activity on the whole'front, cmeny against Morthomme, Poivre Hill, and Douaumont.' Here, several tantry attacks of extreme violence were driven back, our fire decimating the enemy s ranks. ■ Our batteries everywhere vigorously replied to the bombardment, and cannonaded the communication roads. Our long-range guns north-eastward of St. Mihiel bombarded the station of Vigneilles. There were t\vo outbreaks of fire. Several trains were struck/ ana a locomotive burst. There is great artillery activity in the Seppois sector. A French air squadron dropped forty-four bombs, and greatly damaged the Chambley Station. The aeroplanes also dropped forty bombs at Bensdorf station, and nine projectiles on the enemy establishment at Avrecourt. COURAGE OF THE PRUSSIAN GUARDS WINS* ADMIRATION. (llec. March 3, 9.30 p.m.) _ .London, March 2. The "Daily Chronicle's" Paris correspondent states that owing to the frightful earlier losses_ the more recen r. attacks wore made with fewer men. In the attempts to relieve the Brandeiburgers 'at Douaumont the Prussians charged eight times, but the assaults broke against the fire of mitrailleuses and seventy-fives. . The Germans would not admit that they were beaten, but resumed the attacks after midnight on Monday, and the "Liberte's" correspondent adds: *'I must admit tho couiuge of these crack troops of- Guards und tho Fifteenth- Corps, who must have known they were marching to certain death. Tlioy advanced- as if on para deytill within sixty feet, when' they ran crying "Vorwaertsl" We waited withoiit budging. Then a salvo of ma-Vhine-guns tore through the first ranks. Wo then charged, and repulsed the enemy. The shock of collision in the darkness was terrible. Tragic mistakes we're made, and many Germans were transfixed on their comrades' bayonets. The approaches to Douaumont are covered with dead and wounded."SLACKENING OF INFANTRY OPERATIONS. (Rec. March 3, 9.55 p.m.) \ ....... Paris, March 2. The newspapers agree that the slackening of infantry operations at Verdun is only an entr'acte, and that the Germans will come on again. It is estimated that the Germans have already lost 150,000. The Brandenburgers-aro securely trapped, and the French, to avoid useless slaughter, are waiting for famine to do its work. , 'EFFECTIVE WORK OF THE FRENCH SEVENTY-FIVES. (Rec. March 3, 9.55 p.m.) Paris, March 2. A wounded French soldier states: "The, Germans' love of close formation delighted us. My regiment was six times ordered to retire, so,as to get tlia enemy within range of seventy-fives, Hecatombs were piled up each time." PRELIMINARY B9MBARDMENTION. (Reo. March 4, 0.45 a.m.) Paris,' March 3. M. Poincare, French President, visited Verdun and congratulated the troops. ' : Tho Germans' preliminary bombardment lasted 120 hours, and was almost wholly with heavy guus. The French front was terribjy battered. The fire on the second line made it difficult to get food up. A 15-inch shell burst near a battery of 75's in tho little wood near Fleury, ,and all the gunners were killed or wounded... _ * On*p German army corps north-ward of Verdun was reduced to three thousand. Tho French losses in ten days was slight compared with the Germans; the proportion of killed, wounded, .and prisoners is estimated at five Germans to.ollo French. FRENCH EVACUATE A POSIT WITH HEAVY GUNS.(Rec. March 4, 1.15 a«m.) 1 Paris, March 3. I Tho French have evacuated Somognen. . AWFUL EXPERIENCE OF THREE FRENCH SOLDIERS. * (Rec. March 3, 9.45 p.m.) . . March 2. Tils "i'otlt Journal" says tlirea 11 1 pji«H soldiers, who Jii'.d completed laying 0 mine Bais da tavauche, while roturmoc, were buried hi r, terrific ex-

plosion. The roof and gallery collapsed through' a German shell, and for hours the men waited until their own mine exploded, then, ■with trowel, and lianas, began to dig a way out. Soon the narrow gallery began to drip with a warm liquid, which they discovered was blood. As tlioy dug, the rivulet ot blood increased, and a soldier ci awing frantically, struck a mass of human ilesh hist, and then a huge heap of German bodies, which rolled to tiie bottom of tilei crater after the mine was sprung, annihilating a whole German company. through this mass of distorted corpses tlioy slowly hacked their way to freedom. i ■ * BRITISH .RECAPTURE TRENCHES AND A SMALL ' SALIENT! 'm 'n- i n ■ ■ London, March- 2, 11.30 p.m. JHe High Commissioner reports:— I.his morning the British attacked and recaptured trenches on the bluff o the Ipres-Conmies Canal which were lost on February 14; in addition they also captured a small salient of the original German line.' The enemy's coun-ter-attaclc some hours later was repulsed. Tho German mine' galleries in captured trenches were destroyed, and .180 prisoners taken. There is much artillery activity on both sides from Vierstraata to Boosinghe.