WHY GERMANY THOUGHT IT IMPORTANT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 177, 26 May 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

WHY GERMANY THOUGHT IT IMPORTANT.

("Pall Mall Gazette"' Special). In view of present events it becomes of immediate interest to enquire why the Prussian Staff regarded Verdun of such supremo importance in the campaign of 1870. Two important reasons were given by Colonel Von Tidemann in a book dealing with the siege. First its occupation was important for the armies before Paris, and for th'i lorces operating in the west of France, because the fortress barred the direjt line of railway from the Middle Rhine to Metz I»y Chalons and Pans. This line was incomplete in 1870, end Verdun was a terminus, and it was a matter of some chagrin to the besiegers that it had not been competed to Metz.

The second reason was +hat Verdun was a " barrier," in the military sense, on the road from the Middle' Rhine, through the Argonne, to Chalons and Paris. Although these reasons are hi some respects less forcible than in fB7O, they cannot entirely have lost their validity. A TALE OF OLD TIME.

The story of the siege of 1870 reads to-day like a chapter out of the history of primitive warfare. Forty-six years ago the modern science of fortification had not come into being. There was no reason why it should, since modern guns throwing huge projectiles twelve or fifteen miles were unknown, and the destructive power of high explosive shells remained to lie discovered. When the Prussians invested Verdu ntowards the end of August they found it still defended by the simple fortifications prepared by ,'auban, with what they themselves described as ■ "formidable citadel.'' The high walls and deep moats of the city made it "impregnable''- the word is'tnnt of no ■ 'son than Marshal von Moltke himself.

It was defended by 1-10 guns, and the garrison did not exceed 6000 men. The first bombardment failed entirely, and as the enemy could not wait on his way to Paris, be crossed the Mouse simultaneously above and below the fortress, leaving behind a containing force. | Yet so accustomed to victory had the Germans become that one of their provision trains, taikng it for granted that tho place had already fallen drove straight into the city, and was taken prisoner. When, later on, 200 German shells were fired at the, citadel, it was thought to be a. terrible bombardment. Later on the besiegers were reinforced from Metz, and opened fire with fiftytwo guns, but in a few hours several of their batteries were silenced and fifteen guns put out of action: yet no sooner was a French gun injured than it was replaocd. THE SURRENDER.

Eventually the German guns had to cease firing for lack of ammunition. When, however, at the end of ten weeks, large numbers of fresh guns were got into petition, and ostentatious preparations made fr a regular sjegc, the French commander surrendered "in order to avoid bloodshed and the destruction of the town."