A THRILLING STORY OF THE VERDUN BATTLE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 55, 4 March 1916, Page 5

A THRILLING STORY OF THE VERDUN BATTLE.

GERMANS ADVANCED AT THREE IN THE MORNING

SINGING THEIR GUTTERAL WAR HYMNS

THE FRENCH LAY SILENT AND MOTIONLESS

TILL MACHINE GUNS MOWED THEM DOWN

FRENCH FELL FAST, GERMANS FELL PASTER

MEN WEEP WITH RAGE AWAITING ORDERS

fßecd. 5.50 a.m.)

PARIS, March 3

Figaro publishes a thrilling story of the .Verdun battle. The Germans, were reported to the eastward at three in the morning. Flares- and rockets lit up the battle field, and as broad daylight came the enemy were clearly seen advancing in serried masses singing gutteral War hymns. ,We lay motionless and silent in the presence of the stirring spectacle, but when our machine guns opened fire, the Germans fell in rows, but they Continued to advance through quite a hurricane of shot and shell. We were stupified on learning that the enemy had penetrated the fort, and our serge'ant wept with rage and demanded to know what we were waiting fox’. Soon the order came to fibayonets and we leaped over the sodden ground 'Shouting. The bayonet fight seemed interminable. Our men fell fast, but the Germans /ell faster. Wo cleared them out, however, then gladly rested. Our uniforms were Caked with mud and blood.

A German communique states; We advanced south of Douaumont fort,

taking and . prisonering 1000 and capturing six heavy guns

A YOUNG FRENCH CAPTAIN’S EXPLOIT,

A FRENCH DETACHMENT ISOLATED.

THEY FIGHT A WAY OUT.

THE CAUSE OF CESSATION IN FIGHTING

THE GERMAN NEED FOR RECONSTITUTION,

(Rocd. 9.5 a.m.)

PARIS, March 3.

,When the French evacuated Samogneux two companies of infantry became isolated in a group of houses. -The youthful captain organised resistance against overwhelming odds. Two Prussian battalions twice attempted to rush the position, but were repulsed, losing 2>'oo fdlled and 500 wounded. When the defenders were seriously reduced and soon without ammunition they sent a message to the colonel that they intended to cut a way out. They made a sudden sally, momentarily disconcerting the Germing, and when the defenders were almost overcome reinforcements saved them. During a critical moment the struggle at Douaumout a regiment became dazed with five hours incessant shell fire, which weakened the centre, and they were about to yield at a portion of the front; they fell hack and threw themselves on the ground. Reaux, their commandant, seized a rifle and advanced amid a hail of shrapnel and stood alone on the crest and shouted, “On your feet, for m fours.” The men obeyed and Reaux led them back into the firing line.

Le Temps says a probable reason for relative calm at Yerdun is the necessity- for the Germans to reconstitute their units, and possibly it Is also $ question of munitions.

REDOUBLED VIOLENCE OF GERMAN ATTACKS

REPULSED AFTER SEVERAL FRUITLESS ATTEMPTS

THE VILLAGE OF DOUAUMONT PENETRATED

FRENCH FIRE SHATTERS GERMAN EFFORTS

HUGE QUANTITY OP GERMAN DEAD

(Reed. 9.35 a.m.)

PARIS, March 3

A communique states: The enemy’s attacks and bombardment continued yesterday evening with redoubled violence. . After several fruitless attempts they were repulsed with cruel losses. The Germans succeeded in penetrating the village of Douaumont, where' obstinate fighting continues. They attacked the village of Vaux at the same time. Assaults directed from the north to the north east were shattered by our curtains of fire and machine guns. The enemy had to retire leaving a great number of corpses in our barbed wire entanglements. Our curtains of fire at Woevre, during the night, prevented the enemy debouching after intense bombardment.