VERDUN OFFENSIVE IN THE THIRD ACT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2722, 17 March 1916, Page 5

VERDUN OFFENSIVE IN THE THIRD ACT

ENEMY LINES PUSHED FORWARD

FRENCH LOSSES AT VERDUN VERY SMALL

■ By 'Teleffraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Reo, March 16, 5.30 p.m.) I . Amsterdam, March 15. A Berlin communique saysSuesian troops, with a strong swinging onslaught, pushed forward their lines west of the Crows Wood. Four French counter-attacks were unsuccessful, and were repulsed with very considerable losses.

COMPARATIVELY SMALL FRENCH LOSSES AT VERDUN.

("Times" and Sydney ."Sun" Services,)

(Reo. March 16, 6.5 p.m.)

m, „m. , , London, March 15. _ lhe"limes" says it has the best authority, for stating that the total French Josses at Verdun were less than twelve thousand, while ouly eightyfour pieces of artillery were abandoned after being rendered useless. THIRD ACT OF THE BATTLE OF VERDUN IS BEGINNING. Ti • - n. .i, , , Paris, March 15. . Uis semi-officially announced that the third act of the Verdun battle is beginning.

. The<whole effort of the'enemy is being directed to a section fronting Morlhomme, the pillar of our resistance in this region. The conquest of this singularly obstructive position'has tempted German ambition, but it will not sueceeu. '

FRENCH RECAPTURE PORTION OF A LOST TRENCH.

awl ■ m , ' Paris, March 15: A ifrencn. communique says:—The enemy has made no fresh attempt west of the Meuse. Our counter-attacks afc Bethincourt and Cumieres recapturcd portion of a trench. We hold Bethin court and Morthonjme. and the southern edge of Cumieres village. .

COUNTER-ATTACKS WITH BAYONETS AND GRENADES

London, March 15, 8.50 p.m

The High Commissioner reports'' West of the Meuse the-enemy made no fresh attempt in the course oi the night. Between Bethincourt. and Oumieres counter-attacks with bayonets and grenades' enabled the French to retake part of trench elements occupicd by the enemy yesterday, at Hill 265. .The French hold Bethincourt heights Oumieres Wood, and the village of Cum ieres. The bombardment continued with intensity alone the whole sector, and was energetically countored by the French artillery. There is nothing fresh to report on the right bank of tho Meuse or in the Woeuvre, where there is intermittent cannonade on both sides. ' , PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS VERDUN. \ By l'elcgraph—Pxcbb Association—Copyright The Parliamentary delegation has returned from Verdull nllon, aro ' l Tho members were impressed by the difference between the French and German transport systems. During tbn last few months the Germans have built eleven strategic railways behind the Verdun front. The F-ench relied un a single railway, but the motor transport service worked faultlessly and proved vastly superior owing to its flex ibility. The delegates were profoundly impressed by the defenders' confidence in their ability to keep the.enemy at bay, General Petaia's last words were- \ load'is off my mind; lam certain of our final success."

THE FRENCH RESISTANCE AT VERDUN AFFECTS GERMAN PLANS.

("Times" and Sydnt>> "Sun" Services.)

"11 Secolo" says the Germans held a War Council in September in' r small town in tlio Ardennes to considov how to shorten the ivar. but concluded that a solution was impossible befoi e the summer. Therefore Germany immediately began the organisation of masses of men destined to break through the French lino. , The troops were specially drilled, armed, and equipped a great effort, which was ,intended to bo a widespread offensive on the Wov front, but the French resistance at Verdun obliged them to alter their plans" and the using of all the units of the new army before Verdun lessened tlio possibility of the other projected attacks.

AUSTRIANS STOPPED FROM REINFORCING THE GERMANS,

(Rec. March 16, 11.45 p.m.)

. ct , ~ Rome, March 16! Owing to the Italian offensive hfty thousand Austrians about to reinforce the Germans at Verdun woro stopped at Innsbruck.

FINANCIAL EFFECT OF THE FAILURE AT VERDUN

_ ' , ~ New York, March 15. There has been a-sensational tlechno in the German exchange rate to cents to the four marks.

The "New York Herald" says:—"The decline continues, despite the efforts of the German financiers to check it. This_ reveals to the world's perception the Germans' impending financial and military collapse."

("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.') Copenhagen, Match is, The German mark is 30 per cent, below normal.