THE WAR

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 May 1916, Page 3

THE WAR

XSLSOBAI'ii—COrrBMHI. I tPBB PHKIS ABSOCIATION-'i THE ATTACKS ON VERDUN. Paris, May '24. A communique states Gel-mam counter-attacks have assumed a violeit character on the whole Verdun fro it. It is impossible yet to estimate whetiler very large effectives are used. Alter the morning's bombardment on the left hank of the Meuse the Germans several times launched masses in attacks on positions east and west of Morthomine. Our artillery andi machine guns swept away the first attack with sanguinary losses without the euemy reaching our lines. The second attack at sever*"©'clock in the morning gained a footing in one of our western trenches. A counterattack completely drove him out. All day the Haudromont-Douaumont region was the scene of a murderous struggle. The Germans multiplied assaults preceded ou each occasion Dy a powerful bombardment. Nevertheless wo held al> yesterday's positions ->ntii'oly, particularly Fort Douaumont. j Three enemy aeroplanes were brought down at various points on the other fronts. \ Park, May 24. When the French began the assaults on Fort Douaumont the artillery lengthened the fuses and increased the density oif the shell curtain cutting iff the German advanced lines from their supports. The assaulters wefe the pick of the French army. Tho French lines were only 350 yards from the entrance of the fort, but despite tho fury of the preliminary 'bombardment the German defence remained formidable andi it took tho French an hour to cover ilie distance. The Germans were dug in deep in two lines of trenches Defore the fort itself but the French cleaned up the first line in half an hour. Wave after wave streamed towards the Becond line. They were twice forced back from the broken entanglements. Then reinforcements were >rdered out and' wemt at the German line witli a dash. They carried all the fort where an admirably co-ordinated movement from west, east and *outh converging in the eastern column met with stronger resistance.

The advance from Oailette Wood was delayed and it looked for a time as though the whole position would be euirroundeff. So rapid wias the 1' rench western and southern movement that many of the defenders were caught in between flanking frontal attacks before they couldi retire. The fort was ruined, but the garrison put up a determined effort every corner and cellar. The French, witli the hnyonot and grenade, drove back the enemy towards the north-oaf,tern corner where the Germans made a successful standi all Monday night. The fiercest fighting continues.

THE BRITISH FRONT.

London, May 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports heavy bombardment on both sides about the Viiny ridge. The situation is unchanged. There lias been active enemy bombardment in trenches between Hooge and the Ypres-lioulers railway. RUSSIA'S REPORT. Petrograd, May 24. A communique reports:—Jn the region of Kuhockavolia we dirove back the Germans across the Voseluhu, tributary of the i'ripet, and smashed 'recently constructed trenches. Repeated Turkish offences south of Trsbizond were repulsed. We dislodged the Turks from a position on the northern siopes of the Taurus Mountains. We occupied Serdinht in the direction or Mosul on the Persian side of the frontier.

AUSTROJTALIAN FRONT.

Rome, May 24. A communique states:—The enemy is reportedi to be massed ibotween Lake Garda and the Adage. Enemy aeroplanes bom l bed different placets in the Venetian plain •without damage. A few person® were injured. Amsterdam, May 24. An Austrian communique claims the capture of 23,843 Italians, "Including 482 officers and 172 guns, further progress on the South Tyrol front, and the occupation of Cirnamadriolo and the height westward of the frontier.