THE WESTERN CRISIS SAFELY OVER

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2729, 25 March 1916, Page 5

THE WESTERN CRISIS SAFELY OVER

WANING EFFORTS AT VERDUN COMMENTS ON THE OUTLOOK By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright The Higli Commissioner reports: London, March 23, 4 p.m. "West of tlio Meuso the bombardment was relaxed during the course of tlio night, tho enemy not renewing his attempts. In tho AVoeuvre, a violent bombardment continues at several points of our front." Lowion, March 24, 0.40 a.m. "North of tho Aisno wo directed a destructive fire on the German works on the plateau of Vauclerc. "In the Argonno an effective bombardment was carried out on tho enemy's railways and the Malanconrt wood. ''West of the Meuse, tho bombardment continues in the region of Malancourt to Bethincourt, at Mort Homme, and at Cumieres. "East of tha Meuse and in tho 'Woeuvre, intense artillery activity continues."-

FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE.

(Rec. March 24, 9.50 p.m.)

v Paris, March 24. !A. communique states: "We have carried out numerous concentrations, firing upon t-lie enemy's organisations on the roads and railways in tlie Kastern Argomie and in the Malancourt Wood. " There vwere 110 infantry actions to-day."-

THE CHECKMATE AT VERDUN POSITION ABSOLUTELY SHELTERED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Sorvices.) London, March 23. The "Petit Parisian" says: "Verdun is now absolutely sheltered. The infantry is in better form than ever, the artillery is well placed, and our ammunition will not fail. The enemy is extending the field of battle, because lie is unable to penetrate the Bethincourt-Vaux front." A semi-official message says: "The failure of the surprise attack on Malancoiirt and Avoconrt proves that henceforth we will ho able to receive any, and more violent, attack at whatever point it may occur. Our offensive and defensive power grows daily. Jflie enemy may multiply his battering-ram blows anywhere; our present successes are a sure guarantea of the issue of future fighting."

HEROES OF VERDUN-A THRILLING INCIDENT.

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

.ffiec. March 24, 5.50 p.m.). London, March 24.

Mr. Warner Allen (the British wai correspondent on tho Western front) describes the heroic rosistanco which was offered by two regiments at Verdun. They were fourteen days under fire, and repelled repeated furious attacks. Then,they dug in under a terrific bombardment, and finally the enemy flung heavy masses of his infantry at them in aai attempt to break through their thin line. "It was like a battering-ram," said a French officer, describing it. "We used every a;un possiblo against them, particularly our seventy-fives and machine-guns, and it was over in half an hour. _ Thousands of German corpses covered tho ground, and we still hold tho positions which had been entrusted to us. General. Jo'ft're specially congratulated us."