GENERAL WAR NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 62, 13 March 1916, Page 8

GENERAL WAR NEWS.

WV VERDUN WILL NOT FALL,

A REPUTATION STAKED. GREATER GERMAN DESPERATION SYDNEY, this day. Mr. Harry Gullett, who was the official Australian corespondent at the British headquarters in France, addressing the New South Wales Journalists’ Association, speaking of the probable result of the German attack in the West, said he would stake whatever reputation he had that Verdun woul dnot fall. It was rank folly, however, to .talk of an early ending of the war. When the Germans were right up against it they would not collapse but would fight with greater desperation. GERMANS WANT A BIG DECISION. TIGHTENING THE CHAIN. BATTERIES IN SECOND POSITION. LONDON, March 10. Colonel Repington, the “Times” military critic, says that it is necessary to remember that the Germans are out for a big decision on the west front. These temporary lulls and recrudescences of the attacks are only stages in their culminating offensive of the Avar. The recent capture of Forges and of Hill 265, west of the Meuse, and of Fresnes, east of the Meuse, are intended to draw tighter the chain Tound. the mafn fc|'tifiec| These isloated attacks will continue until the German batteries reach their second position, when' the whole of this front will 'be attacked. GERMANY DEPRESSED. BY LOSSES AT VERDUN. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES CALLED TO COLOURS. LONDON, March 10. Neutrals ariving through Switzerland from Berlin state that the German losses at Verdun are becoming ■public, despite precautions, and are degressing the population. There are widespread rumours of disagreements among the general staff, and it is said hat the Duke of Wurtemburg will oossibly replace the Crown Prince in the command at Verdun.

The “Daily Mail” correspondent at Rotterdam has been reliably informed that Germany has called to “the colours all the men between IS and 40 years cf age who have hitherto been employed on Government work.

OVER FORTY ZEPPELINS. NONE DAMAGED IN RAIDS. BRITAIN’S SERIOUS SHORTCOMINGS. LONDON, March 10. Lwd Montagu of B'eauleiu, a leading authority on aviation, raised a debate in the Lords on the subject of aviation. He said he believed Germanv had over forty Zeppelins, and that none of them had been damaged during the 25 raids on Great Britain. The British anti air-craft guns were feeble, and the shells burst two thousand feet below the raiders. He demanded the creation of a Ministry of Aviation, as air warfare was developing on a tremendous scale. Lord Lansdcwne said he recognised there were serious shortcomings, but he had great hopes of Lord Derby’s committee of naval and military advisers. Lord Beresford urged wholesale aeroplane attacks on Zeppelin sheds, and. incidentally, advised . Major Churchill to consult a specialist for his affected mentality.