BATTLE OF VERDUN RENEWED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2712, 6 March 1916, Page 5

BATTLE OF VERDUN RENEWED

REDOUBLED VIOLENCE GERMANS ENTER THE VILLAGE OF DOUAUMONT By Telograpl'—Press Association—Copyright • , , m, , , Paris, .March. 8. A communique states: J.he enemy s attacks and bombardment continued yesterday, evening with redoubled violence. After several fruitless attempts, repulsed with cruel losses, the Germans succeeded in penetrating the village of Douauinont, where obotinate fighting continues. The Germans attacked tho villago of Vaux at- the same time. Assaults directed from the north and north-east were shattered by our curtains of fire from machine-guns, and the enemy had to retire, leaving a great number of corpses in our barbed-wire entanglements; Our curtains bf lire at the Woeuvre during the night prevented the enemy debouching after an intense bombardment. SERIOUS RECRUDESCENCE OF OPERATIONS. „ c „ . , Paris, March 3. Semi-official: The battle of Verdun was renewed on Thursday. -The enemy operations were marked by a serious recrudescence. As we foresaw, this is the second phase of the most violent effort the Germans have ever attempted against us. All the evidence shows that Verdun was chosen for the attack because it is a wooded region, and the forest hampered aerial reconnaissance. We were aware of tremendous German preparations for three months, but possibly did not realise their full importance. Yesterday's .attacks were extremely violent ; the enemy's losses over the broken ground, which, was •• already covered with corpses, was enormous. Nowhere did they gain a footing in our trenches. We took the fullest advantage of the three days' respite, and lie issue may" be awaited wittt*absolute confidence. The first act in the battle failed; the second will not meet with, better success. I GERMAN LINES ADVANCED WEST AND SOUTH. London, March 3. A German communique states: On the heights of the Meuse, after a vigorous artillery preparation, we cleared the village of Douaumont, and ad-> vanced our lines west and south of the village and fort into a nypre favourable condition. Our airmen bombarded the French troops in the fortress region of Verdun. . Another German communique states: Wo Advanced south of Douauinont Fort, making prisoner a thousand men, and capturing six heavy guns. SPECULATION'AS TO THE GERMAN COMMUNIQUES. „ • London, March 3. The newspapers spcr.late on the significance of the German communique. Some are of the opinion that the claim means that the Germans have driven iti a wedge, thus securing a salient south-west of Fort Douaumont, though the French still prevent the relief ■of the Brandenburgers. _ "Le Matin" states that the Brandonburgers have been able their resistance by means of a narrow communication path through a coppice north of the fort. " PROBABLE REASON FOR RECENT RELATIVE CALM. m ' Paris, March 3. "Le Tomps" says a probable reason for tho relative calm at Verdun is that it is due to the necessity for the Germans to reconstitute their units, and probably also there is. the question of munitions. 1 ' A THRILLING OF A GERMAN ATTACK, i.nv tv „ Parls > March 3. ine I'lgaro publishes a thrilling story regarding the fighting at Verdun. "Th' 6 Germans were reported to the eastward at 3 o'clock in the morning! Flares and rockets lit up the battlefield as if it wore broad daylight. The enemy could be clearly seen advancing in eerric-d masses, singing guttural war hymns. We were motionless and silent in the presence of the stirring spectacle. 'When our machine-guns opened, the Germans foil in rows, but continued to advance through the hurricane of shot and shell. We were stupefied on learning that the enemy had penetrated to tho fort. A. sergeant wept with rage, and domanded what we were waiting for. Soon we got the order to fix bayonets. Wo leaped over the sodden ground, shouting. The bayonet fight seemed interminable. Our men fell fast, but the Germans fell faster. We cleared them out, and then gladly rested. Our uniforms wore caked with mud nml V,Wld."

HOW THE FRENCH EVACUATED SAMOGNEUX. Paris, March 3. When tho French evacuated Samogneux, two companies of infantry were isolated in a group of houses. A youthful captain organised a resistance against overwhelming odds The Prussian battalions twico attempted to rush the position, but were repulsed, losing 200 killed and 500 wounded. The defenders were seriously reduced in numbers, and were soon without ammunition. They sent a message to the colonel, stating that they intended to out their way out. They made a sudden sally, momentarily disconcerting the Germans. 'When, the defenders were almost- overcome, reinforcements arrived and saved them. THE SITUATION SAVED AT A CRITICAL MOMENT: ~ , , , Pdris. March 3. During a critical moment of the struggle at Douaumont, a regiment, dazed by five hours' incessant shell-fire, weakened in the centre, and was about to yield. A portion fell back end threw themselves on the ground. Colonel Reaux, Commandant, seized » rifle, advanced in a hail of shrapnel, stood alone on a crest, and shouted, "On to your feet! Form fours!" The men obeyed, and Colonel Remix led them back to the firing line. HOT FIGHTING FOR THE VILLAGE OF DOUAUMONT. < (Rec. March 5, 5.5 p.m.) . Paris, March 4. A trench communique We carried out a destructive artillery fire on the enemy's works east of Neuville, south of Berry-au-Bac. •There has been hot fighting near Douaumont. AVo held the "upper part of the knoll on the northern slope pn which the village is situated. A sharp counter-attack enabled us to regain the ground l in the immediate vicinity of the village. The bombardment was maintained at an extremely violent pitch west and east of the Meuse, also in the Wocuvre. "\Ve concentrated our artillery fire on an enemy assembly near Beaumont, and dispersed l a column on the march. We brought down an Albatross in the vicinity of Douaumont, and took prisoner the occupants. We attacked and captured several German trenches east of Seppois, and the enemy's counter-attacks failed to dislodge us. Another communique says: There was a fairly active bombardment during the night at different sectors in the Verdun region. There was no infantry action on the enemy's part. We prevented the enemy occupying a crater formed by a mine explosion at Les Eparges. '' ' DEADLY STRUGGLE FOR DOUAUMONT VILLAGE. (Rec. March 5, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, March 4. Fort .Douaumont is perched ninety feet above the village'. "When the Germans were driven back on Wednesday enemy artillery resumed the shattering fire, ploughing the ground in all directions and reducing rocks to powder with thousands of monster shells. The Crown Prince ordered a last attack with fresh Prussian brigades, who almost shared their comrades' fate, but gained •a footing on the extreme edge of the plateau. The latest information states that the Germans hold one side of the main street of Douaumont aind the Frenchmen the other. Fighting is proceeding ivith bloody vehemence. First'the French 'and then the Germans gain a few yards in the deadly struggle for the possession of the village. FRENCH ATTACKS ON DOUAUMONT VILLAGE REPULSED. (Rec. March 5. 11 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 4. A German communique says the French attacked the village of Douaumont and the lines adjoining, and were repulsed partially at close range fighting, and sustained heavy losses. AVo made prisoners of a thousand unbounded men. The booty secured since February 22 oonsists of 115 guns and 160 machineguns.. / ! DESPERATE FIGHTING ■ CONTINUES FOR THE VILLAGE. (Rec. March 6, 0.10 a.m.) Paris, March 5. . A French communique says: "There was an intense enemy bombardment of the Hautremont wood, and the infantry attack failed. "The Germans regained a footing in the Douaumont village, from which we ejectcdithem on Friday evening. Desperate fighting continues for the possession of the village, with alternate ebb and flow. COMMENTS OF LONDON NEWSPAPERS. (Rec. March 5, 5.5 p.m.) London, March' 4. The "Daily Telegraph," in a leader, says: "Nothing could he more hopeful than the present position at Verdun. _ Firstly, because tho French, with indomitable gallantry and. persistence, which "has been the admiration of tho whole world, repulsed the attack; and, secondly, because tho costliness of the attacks tells tremendously against Teuton hopes for the future. The Gorman losses aro three times thoso of tho French. Tho aeries of determined attacks aro likely to continue north and east, and perhaps west of tho fortress. We anticipate a period of intense activity, which we shall watch with anxiety, but with strong nope." ' . ' The "Saturday Review" says: Some square miles of new territory pass into German hands, hut our Allies hnro broken this attack, and have gained in morale and confidence after too many months in the trenches. They have never been surer of victory. VIEWS OF THE VERDUN OFFENSIVE IN 'SCANDINAVIA. (Rec. March 5. 5.5 p.m.) , London, March 4. Dr. Dillon, writing from Christiania, says the tremendous onslaught at. Verdun is rightly construed throughout Scandinavia a 6 Germany's final desperate effort to score a victory before tho dejection now rapidly spreading among the peoples of the Central Powers paralyses their waning strength, which haa been strained to the snapping point. A decisive Gorman success would have a far-reaching political effect among certain neutrals. The repercussion in Sweden would he enormous, but Germany's failure has heen followed by renewed peace proposals, which, though unacceptable, are more moderate than any that have yet emanated from Berlin. DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT BY A GERMAN CORRESPONDENT. (Rec. March 5, 5.5 p.m.) . \ Amsterdam, March 4. i The "Lokal Anzeiger's" correspondent, writing from tho Lorraine heights, says: Even from this distant point could he recognised the fierceness of the battle, which he describes as "Hell." Continuing, he states: "On the height of the ridge on the left of Douaumont, where the French artillery jrere extended several kilometres, our heaviest artillery was directed upon them on Sunday. Columns of dust and smoke as high as a house rose from the bursting shells, and it is almost incomprehensible that men were able to live there. We could also follow the fight on the Woeuvre Vplain. Nnmerous wounded men passed us, and all looked confident and pleased that the trench was finally at aii end, and that the grand days of August and September. 1914, had apparently returned when our masses went crushing everything before them and flooding France." i ——— GERMANS' PRODIGAL USE OF PROJECTILES. (Rec. March 6, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, March 4. The "L'Eclair" states that during the first week's bombardment northward of Verdun the Germans expended upwards of 400,000 projectiles of every calibre daily. _ _ , . M. Clomenceau, writing in "L'Homme Enchaine," eays if Germany fails at Verdun tho issue of the war will then be decided. EIGHT TRAIN LOADS OF WORN-OUT ARTILLERY. (Rec. March 5, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 4. The "Echo do Beige" states that eight long trains containing artillery material rendered useless through the hard work at Verdun pasted through Cologne en route for Dusseldorf. GRAPHIC DETAILS OF VARIOUS PHASES OF THE BATTLE. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. March 4, 5.5 p.m.) 1 Paris, March 3. The German prisoners include wounded and those prostrated and dazed through the awful ordeal; many are nerve-shaken and cry piteously. They give the most graphio details of tho various phases of the battle. One regiment was ordered to advance over thick sticky clay. The men stumbled and fell helplessly, the mitrailleuses mowing them down. A number stated that they had been recalled from Serbia, and when they saw Verdun they were , told they were assisting in the final victory, and went into battle full of confidence. Their regiment which was attacking the ridge-crest south of Beaumont, had half their number killed as soon as they left cover, and tho remainder, who went into Hell's furnace, mostly fell, a fow being taken prisoners. THE FRENCH COMMANDER AT. VERDUN. (Reo. March 5, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, March' 4. General Petain, the commander at Verdun, is a picturesque figure. He rose from colonel to general since the war. General Petain did useful work in the retreat from Charleroi, and brilliantly handled his men during the Artois offensive in May and the Champagne offensive in September. MILDER TONE OF A GERMAN MILITARY WRITER. (Rec. March 5, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 4. Colonel Moraht, writing in the "Berliner Tagoblatt," commenting on the fighting at Verdun, says "the sad part of this sanguinary war is that two nations which could rule tho world together and promote kultur aro destroying oacli other. These two peoples have no gravo reason to attack each other. Tho German people cannot allow themselves to be blamed for bringing on the war, and must also not blame the French people, a few thousands of whom originated the war." INTENSE GERMAN ACTIVITY IN THE BELFORT SECTOR. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. March 4, 5.5 p.m.) Berne, March 3. There is intense Gorman activity on tno Belfort front, wince they are con« cuntrating numerous troops, anormou? quantltier Mid heavy artillery, presaging an offensive movement*

ENEMY TRENCHES IN UPPER ALSAOE CAPTURED, London, March 4, 3 a.m. The High Commissioner reports:— "North of Verdun there is fierce fighting at the village of Douamount. The French hold tho crest of Manelon, and aro regaining ground towards the village. Bombardment is violent west and east of the Meuse and in the AVoeuvre region. "In Upper Alsace the French attacked, capturing several portions of the enemy's tre.nches on the right bank of the grade Hurgue."GERMANS GAIN A FOOTING IN DOUAUMONT VILLAGE, London, March 5j 1.20 a.m. The High Commissioner reports:— "At Verdun there is a very violent cannonade on the left hank of the 'Meuse at Hill 304. On the rw'it banil tho enemy attacked several times at Handremont Wood and Hill Poivre, hut wore stopped by our machine-gun fire. _ During the mornng the Geimans succeeded in gainiug a footing at tho village of Douaumont, from whence we chased them the preceding evening. "The fight contiiries in the Loiiaine region at Thiaville Ponds. We captured several elements of the enemy's trenches, taking prisoners."

OPERATIONS ON THE BRITISH FRONT

ENEMY'S MAIN MINING SHAFT SECURED Br Teleeraph—Fresa Association-Oop jrlglit | (Rec. March 5, 5.5 p.m.) . , | London, March 4. | Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We exploded five mines near the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and occupied the craters. One contains the enemy's main mining shaft. We consolidated the positions on the Ypres-Comines Canal, taken yesterday, including two hundred yards of the enemy's original trenches. GERMAN ADMISSION OF BRITISH SUCCESS. London,,March3.. A German communique states: South-east of the Ypres Canal the English penetrated a position wheh we took on February 14. The British broke through on a small front to the advanced trenches, but were immediately, expelled. They, still maintain themselves at isolated places. BRITISH MAKE 254 GERMANS PRISONERS.:, . . V London, March 3,11.25 p.m. The High Commissioner reports:— During the evening of yesterday tho British exploded five mines near the Holienzollern Redoubt, occupying the craters, one containing the enemy'b main mining shaft. A hostile bombarding attack was repulsed. .There is considerable artillery activity on both sides in this neighbouhood to-day. At Ypres-Comines Canal the positions taken yesterday were consolidated, including two hundred yards of the enemy's original trenches. The prisoners taken total two hundred and fifty-four.

BITLIS STORMED AND CAPTURED BY RUSSIANS

DOUBLE WEDGE DRIVEN INTO THE TURKISH LINES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. March 5, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, March 4. A Russian communique says The Caucasian campaign is exceptionally difficult owing to the roads being impassable with snow. We stormed and captured Bitlis on Thursday night, capturing eis guns and. many prisoners. RUSSIANS COMMAND THE WHOLE VAN REGION. (Rec. March 5, 5.5 p.m.) •, Petrograd, March 4.' ' The capture of Bitlis is the second great wedge on the Turkish front, giving the Russians the whole of the Van region, and severs the Turks operating in the Mush region from those in the vicinity of Lake Urmia. ANOTHER POSITION CAPTURED BY THE RUSSIANS. , JSI. (Rcc. March 6, 0.10 a.m.) Petrograd, March 5. A 'Russian communique says: "We have occupied Dijar." TURKS DESPAIR OF BEING ABLE TO HOLD BAGDAD. Athens, March 3. The Turks an in complete despair at the probability of Bagdad being occupied. It is believed that Turkey will strive by all manner of means to arrange peace with the Entente. Talaafc Bey is already preparing the ground for a reapproachment with the Allies, and is using Rachmi, Vali of Smyrna; who, is endeavouring to ascertain terms of peace. Owing to the continued Russian successes in Armenia, all the Turks concentrated in Bulgaria have been recalled to Constantinople, and Bulgaria is re-* placing them with her own territorial. x ENVER PASHA'S VISIT TO JERUSALEM: (Rec. March 5. 11 p.m.) Athens, March 4.;' ; Enver Pasha visited the Omar Mosque and other holy places in Jerusalem, including those of Christians. He was welcomed by the Greek' Patriarch and Sheiks. ATTEMPT MADE TO ASSASSINATE ENVER PASHA (Rec. March 6. 0.10 a.m.) Athens, March 5. Advices from Constantinople state that an attempt was made to assassinate Enver Pasha, who was wounded. _ _ , Alarmed at the gravity of the situation,, the Duke of Mecklenburg .has telegraphed to the Kaiser urging that remfdrcements' be dispatched to Constantinople. ' DISLOYAL DETACHMENT OF TURKISH CAVALRY. (Rec. March 5, 11 p.m.) London, JJarch 4. The "Daily Chronicle's" Athens corrospondonfc states thai a detachment of cavalry sent to disperse anti-war demonstrators in Constantinople outside the Ministries joined them when the ringleaders arrived.