GREAT BATTLE AT VERDUN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3170, 22 August 1917, Page 5

GREAT BATTLE AT VERDUN

BRILLIANTLY SUCCESSFUL ATTACK BY THE FRENCH

ALL OBJECTIVES CARRIED

POWERFUL ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

AUSTRIAN FIRST LINE CAPTURED

WITH 7,600 PRISONERS

As autumn develops the intensity of tho fighting on tlio great battle-fronts increases. To day comes the report of a great ami quite unexpected blow by iho French at Verdun. After an intense artillery duel, which has lasted for a fortnight, the significance of which lias not been disclosed in tho official communiques, the Trench infantry at dawn yesterday attacked on a front of, roughly speaking, twelve miles, and in a very short space of time carried all the day's objectives. From the reports which are coming in tho situation is highly favourablo to the complete, consummation of the plan of battle, with a large toll of prisoners, at a relatively small cost in casualties on the French 6ide. As these thrilling events proceed on the Verdun front, the British to tho north are exerting a steadx_presquro on the enemy, and tho line has been slightly advanqed. on the Ypres front, while tho French on the British left Iwvo improved their positions on '.lie Bixschooto front. Details of tho great Italian offensivo which was first reported in an Austrian communique yesterday, disclose n mighty conflict on tho lsonzo front, between ■Plava and tho sea, tho largest buttlc-line yet recorded for a 6inglo offensive by tho western armies. The wholo of the Austrian first line positions havo been taken, together with 7GOO prisoners. A feature of the new ofTousivo is the massed co-operation of tho air squadrons. Tho latest criticism on tho Papal peace effort is tho most noteworthy—it comes from tho Russian Embassy at Washington—definitely rejects the proposal for its inconsistency, and itp evasion of tho real principle which was the inspiration of the Russian revolution, namely, tho right of nations to determine the form and personnel of their Governments.

BRILLIANT FRENCH ATTACK AT VERDUN

ALL FIRST DAY'S OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED BAREFACED LIE IN GERMAN REPORT The High Commissioner reports:— .■ m ■ , , , , / London, August 20, 3.10 p.m. A trench official report states: "A now battle of Verdun has developed to our advantage' over a front of eighteen kilometres (about la miles), on the line be- ■ tween Avocourt Wood and Bczonvaux. MAGNIFICENT DASH OF THE TIIOOPS. (Bj Telejraph—Prwj Association—Copyright). it, ■ , , , London, August 20. A I'l'cnch communique states: "Our troops attacked in tho morning on both banks of tho Jleuso with magnificent dash. Early reports show that this new battle at Verdun is developing to our advantage on a front of eleven miles, from A_iocoun Wood to north ot Bezonvaux. Many prisoners wero taken. The bravery ot our inen is beyond praise. Tlicro is a fairly violent artillery struggle north of Bixschoote. —Aus.-NCnblo Assn.-Heutcr. bb LATEST NEWS OF THE BATTLE-SPLENDID RESULTS (Ivec. August 21, 10.30 p.m.) A French official communique states: "North of Verdau°"wo"iaTO*carrie"d'the r!L fi t w™j 011 n f 6ldes M e eU£o °x n a , f -? n,t of 18 kilometres (about 12 miles) to a depth at somo points of over two kilomotrcs (about a mile and a Uf U M f'rr left bank wo particularly hold Avocourt Wood, both summits of Mort Homme, and the Corbeau and Cumieres Woods. On the ri"ht bank wo have carried Talou Hill, Champeleu Villc, Hill 34-1, Moront Parm and Hill "JO To the north of Louvemont, on the right, we mado a considerable advanco" in the Hois d«s Posses, and the Bois Jo Chaumo. Tho total number of unwounded prisoners now exceeds four thousand. Tho Germans violently counter-attacked at Avocourt Wood, Mort Homme, and Hill 341, but our iiro cverywhoro nullified their eilorts. We inflicted heavy losses. Our aviators played a brilliant part in the operations, using their machine-guns on tho gatherings at low altitudes, thus contributing to tho icpulso of tho counter-attacks. Our pilota brought down eleven machines, and our special guns two."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn -Pouter

BRILLIANT ATTACK AT DAWN ALL THE OBJECTIVES ATTAINED. (Rcc. August 21, 9 p.m.) Aucrusfc ''l lleuter6 correspondent at French Headquarters reports: "At dawn f/wlnv flm French began another battle on tho historic field of Verdun. For over a fortnight tho batteries on both sides of tho Mouse have been hammering the G'ermaii lino on both sides of tho river from Avoeourt Wood on tho left hand f« IWnn vaux, on the right, a. front of fully sixteen miles. This morning the infantry leapt from the trenches, and a splendid rush within forty minutes carried them to the limits of their first line objective. All tho objectives of tho day were carried by seven o'clock, and reports are coming in showing that a satisfactory number of prisoners has been captured by nil tho divisions engaged. There is every reason to hope that splendid results will bo achieved with relatively small casualties."—Router. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT 'A! wireless German official report states: "At the opeilin^of'thtTattlo before Verdun, the French occupied without fighting the Talou Kid*e east of tho Meuse. Fighting is in full swing on a front of fourteen and a half miles After tho failure of the English attacks yesterday south of Langemarck the firine was less intense. Wo repeatedly repulsed English detachmeS in Strong French attacks opened early this morning on both banks of tho Monw ona front of 14 miles, after an artillery duel of the greatest intensity all night We brought down sixteen aeroplanes and four balloons."—Ans.-N,Z. Cablo Assn'.-Rcu-"BATTLE IS GOING IN OUII FAVOUR!" (Rcc. August 21, 9.50 p.m.) ss."s™'as™ M *•""""• '" ib "*«s"-."St | ON THE BRITISH FRONT LINE ADVANCED ON THE Y'PRES SECTOR. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Tliero has been sharp fHitim"' wTeomidotelv repulsed a counter-attack at night against the positions wo captured morning south-eastward of Epehy. We successfully raided the enemy's tonehe 3 south of Lens. Wo slightly advanced our line on the Ynres bittlofmnf «miHi east of St. Janshoek.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter »attlotront, eouthFIGHTING FROM LENS TO THE SEA. Tho United Press correspondent at Headquarters statestCtVlftmßMiUiliues at various pointe from Lens to tlm sea. Tho British, durinir tho nieht WnMifihod a new post on tho left flank of tho Yprcs sector.-Aus -N.z! Cablo Issn

"TANKS" PLAY A LONE HAND SQUADRON OF TWELVE "CRUISERS" CAPTURES A POSITION. (lire. August 21, 8.30 p.m.) . London, August 20. of SI- 'filill! '« sports: 'J- ho 'tanks attacked at dawn yesterday northward "Ti i "1 th , cy Jmvc ! 'i ccu em P'°y e d to capture a position alone, f , ll ' tlllor J' bi f! T ?S«' twelve'tanks crossed over the bad ground and ap-m-fr h,, °° so ; callc( ! fa ™ s . , reall y wor <> coucroto houses, mounting *l.hnluOf«n U ti '"V T'. VlSOn l d by ,!"? ,iCll , lueu, .iv-lio wore bravo, but whoso courage pitfipi- hm i tanks crept up, hring furiously. A number of Germans were I - f VO, T ie(l ' 'J l ' Ci >l !t » ral v tho 'tanks' sent a message to the s ie Lt ground - tu ° opei ' atiou ™ coi »- Kt ?nliln r 'vn^ rrCSpOIuIC "T, at Hcadquiirters, describing tlio "tank" attack in the iLi MM \ aays j„ h - e G »" Ila ?f sompilly lied before the 'tanks' reached tliein. ilio infantry, following the 'tanks, occupied a trian»le formed bv t'ho Mont Busibon, Cocker, and Ornt Farms, winch had given a lot of trouble The otal depth ol tho advance as planned was fivo hundred vards but Huns far beyond that line bolted, 'i'he wholo affair was a complete vindication of tho utility of tho 'tank' in this species of w arfare."-}}eutev " nQlontlon 01 tho NAVAL AIR RAIDS ON BELGIUM imi , , . ~ , „„„ . London, Ausruet "0 file Admiralty reports: "Tho air service on Saturday night dronnwl many tons ot bombs ou the Saint Pierro station, Ghent, the Thourout station ami hiWim! I '' 1 i° F^im 8 I! 1 ?? raidcd SneUegheu Aerodrome, directly hitting a laigo shed, Iho Uoyal Plying* Corps assisted. On returninc our nnchilies beat oil hostile aircratt. All our machines returned " —ins \ / p n ui Assn.-Kouter. ' ,a ' AIR SWARMING WITH FIGHTING SQUADRONS. • . United Press correspondent at tile British Headouarters'states "tint tho hottest air lighting continues all day and all the night, 'ilio enemy is ev d ntlv trying to conserve his nir fleets, and avoids battles in tho day time- but tho German aeroplanes swarm out under cover of darkness, bombing places indiscriminately behind tho British lines. As many as thirty aeroplanes lnve <™n« out m one fleet. At least one hospital has been damaged. In the meantime the British warplanes havo carried out offensive work far behind the German line* bombing stations, railways, aerodromes, and ammunition depots. The British airmen fight the Germany infantry in default of antagonists in the air even oharging machine-gun emplacements while barely skimming the earth —his -N Z Cable Assn. * - ENEMY VIRTUALLY BEATEN it * i i- ■ i i „ Paris > August 20. A Japanese officer, who participated m tho llusso-Japaneso AVar and has spent a long sojourn in France, stated in an interview in the "Matin" that iHied victory is assured, scientifically and mathematically. It "has-been 60 since the mid die of 1916. Germany to-day is merely a besieged fortress; Tho critical period ill tho military sense has pnssed. "lhero is only one way in which victory can slip from your grasp. It is that you should voluntarily abandon it."—.lus -N 'A Cable Assn.-Beuter.

ITALIAN ADVANCE ON THE ISONZO

HEAVY AUSTRIAN LOSSES GREAT AIR SQUADRONS CO-OPERATING .An Italian official report states: "North of Anliovo weovercame'thcf eneinv's resistance, threw numerous pontoons across the Isonzo, and crossed to 'the left bank. Wo crossed the enemy's first lino between Plava, and tho sea in suite of a desperate resistance. Two hundred and eight aeroplanes participated in the battle and bombed tho enemy's reserves. Infantry attacks and artillery lira vigorously proceeding. , "Tho enemy's losses were most serious, and considerable booty was c'antnred, including guus and machine-guns; "GOO prisoners have alreadv W» counted."—Ans.-N.JS. Cable Assn.-licuter. ■ AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL HE POUT. An Austrian official report states: "Tho great battle o^lllo'letnzolonUnues with iindnmiiisbcd iorce."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-lleuter.

AUSTRIAN DEFENCES PULVERISED. Many of tho enemy's positions on the Isonzo were reduced™' supports aro hurrying up—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. usuian A MILLION MEN UNDER FIRE ON THE WIDEST FRONT OF ANY AVAR. THEATRE. (Itec. August 21, 7.15 p.m.) . Tho new Italian offensive) occupies tho widest front of aiirWesteToffensive being approximately iorty4hreo miles in length. onensiie, Reports from Komo stato that numerous British guns are assisting in the bonibaidmont. Although tho Italian guu-hro can never be comparable in intensity it's effects Pl ' eVa ° n f ™ts, tho stony ground doubles Heports from Vionna state.that 'the Italians are specially concentrating on Mt Ilerinada, which dominates tho coastal road towards Trieste. It is estimXl that a million men are under lire, and another million in reserve. The whole battle-ground is a. series ot rocky and dcsolato hills.—The "Times." CADORNA'S STRATEGY PUZZLES THE AUSTRIANS (Rcc. August 22, 0.25 a.m.) f "n 1 ?- s . a^ s ' . tho importance of tlle'ndvaMO'is'tlie fact that tho Italians have definitely broken the Austrian resistanceonthe rfrht wW ™ I ™ n - eal ' rol T 0 ' cnaW i n B them to threaten the enemy's left wing. Iho oftonsivo is a simultaneous attack along tho whole front and the Austrmns aro perplexed regarding ho Italians' final objectives. The cCLon. dents aro unanimously of opinion that this second battle is tho most cXsTin Italy s war experience, and that tho ( fighting will develop to (he C ity Jho enemy vas expecting an attack in the Carso, and had concentatWhta best troops there, but ho had not reckonrf with tho Italian aeroplanes 'i*if Aus trians have been practically blinded.—A us.-N.Z. Cable Assn. J-ueAUS-ALARM IN AUSTRIA. (Bee. August 22, 0.10 a.m.) i-i . . Berne, August 21. A wireless message siatee ;hat fixe Austrian newspapers are publishing alarmist articles on tho Italian battle, but recommend the i;ublio to remain coi? fident in the wisdom of the High Conimand—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn

HEAVY PRESSURE ON RUMANIAN FRONT

RUMANIANS FORCED BACK SITUATION STILL VERY CRITICAL (Kec. August 21, 9.50 p.m.) « t. • , , . . „ rn . London, August 21. A Russian olhcial report states: "Tho enemy persistently attacked in the direction of Ocna and Onestchi, and pressed back tho Rumanians to the southwestern outspirts of Ocna. TJio enemy's attacks in the region of Grazestchi re" suited in tho capture of tho Stakleria factory. As the engagement proceeded tho enemy -unsuccessfully took tho offensive westward of the Focsani-Ajud Railway and compelled the Rumanians to retire eastward of the railway."—Aus -Jf Z Cable Assn.-Rcuter. ' ' GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. \ n «. • , , , , ™, . London, August 20. A (jerman official report states: "Tho Austrians and Germans drove back tliei stubbornly resisting Rumanians on both sides of the Oituz Valley, and took 1500 prisoners. There were stubborn struggles on the west bank of tho Sereth where were took 2200 prisoners. Wo repulsed strong Russian attacks southward ot the confluenco of the Rimmc."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS ON THE OUTLOOK .... . London, August 20. Hie situation on tho Russian and Rumanian fronts is generally satisfactory. The Germans at present are'not making serious progress in Poldolia or Bessarabia, while tho magnificent resistance of tho Russians and Rumanians is holding tho enemy in Moldavia. Tho Austrians and Germans liavo not yet reached Ocna, and liavo not inado much progress down tho Trotus Valley. A severe strii"glo is proceeding further south, in tho neighbourhood of tho Sereth—Renter. " SITUATION IN RUMANIA STI'LL CRITICAL. >w „r,v „ • , ~ London, August 20. ■llio umcs spccial correspondent with tho Rumanian Headquarters cables that tho situation is still very critical. The Germans havo mado a wonderful system of broad roads on tho mountains whero not oven pathways existed before, they aro forcing tho Rumanian population to work sixteen hours a day, by means of tho utmost brutality, and without consideration of age or sex. 'Tlio enthusiasm of tho Rumanian troops is beyond praise. Tho wounded contiimo to hght until decimated—The "Times." THE INTERNAL SITUATION. sihmlL W K^i P f llt^ srnd of the "Times," reviewing Russian rahstmnhnT , the sobering influences of the rebellion and tho military their v?vnl ni'l dissipated, and tho political parties are shouting LV hri^ S p mCS i TV.Prospects of agreement at the Moscow Conference v rV b „ r ' i Tr Gen T' Rorn, 'f t-" 9 , dc manled fuU military control of the rail?P2V Kormloff , s confidential report states that ho was able to rally the eTfn OM l, n if Pr T l,fc a l d S l Cr l l , m ? 9Urcs > but the drafts arriving from tho ow Util hi J lca 7 <l"o to the desertions are utterly unfitted for service, 2 i ° 'i's S'" P r ° < lbsenc » o' discipiino and training. The railways are in enomv fomnt n, ° W T th inllnill ent peril in the faco of great —Tho "Times" and fifty Jews havo been promoted to be lieutenants.

KORNILOFF REPORTS DEFINITE CHECK TO THE ENEMY /-•.it-.,. Petrograd. Aucust 20. i , - ICBC ™' Ivoniilofl reports ITiat tho morale of the Army has improved, and ueciares that the enemy movement on tho south-western front has stopped. Iho commander of the Tenth Army states that tho rumour of a threatened V,frl'ni 111 °? tel ! slv ® at Riga was spread by German agents. The bulk of tho enemy \esii ' S 1U mam "' ma king a Riga offensive impossible—Aus.-N.Z. Cable EX-TSAR IN SIBERIA. ■ , „„„ , Petrograd, August 20. unicia .— Jho ox-lsar has gono to Tobolsk (Siberia). His removal was dictated in the interosts of his safety."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. CONVOCATION OF CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY POSTPONED. . , Petrograd, August 20. J.IIO newspaper ' bvjet" states that an agreement has been reached to postpone the convocation of a Constituent Assembly till November 3 or 10. Tho Government has decided to admit women to the Civil Service. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ON THE RUSSIAN ASIATIC FRONT (Rec. August 21, 9.50 p.m.) , „ • n, ■ , , , , , London, August 21. A Russian othcial report stales: "Ylo have occupied several villages in th« region southward of Pclmir-Belumor, ill tho Caucasus."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.lieuter.