THE BLOODY STRUGGLE AROUND VERDUN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 123, 25 May 1916, Page 5

THE BLOODY STRUGGLE AROUND VERDUN.

WAVES OF GERMAN CLOSE FORMATION ATTACK. ■f TERRIBLE ARTILLERY FIRE IN PREPARATION. tub GERMANS COMPLETELY BEATEN OFF. PARIS, May 24. In the region of Verdun German counter attacks, are extremely violent along the whole front. On the left hank, after bombardment ith large shells all the morning, the Germans launched a succession of massed attacks east and west of Mort Homme. The first attack was mown down by artillery and machine gun fire and repulsed with sanguinary losses before they were able to reach our lines. The second was a stubborn attack in the evening which gained a footing to the west, but a counter attack immediately completely threw out the enemy. The right bank, in the region of Haudromont and Douaumont, was an all day scene of a murderous struggle. The Germans multiplied their assaults and each was preceded by powerful artillery preparation. Despite all efforts the positions we conquered on Monday were entirely maintained, notably in Fort Douaumont. We captured 300 prisoners. GERMAN OFFENSIVE AT VERDUN STOPPED. FRANCE TAUNTS GERMANY WITH LYING. GERMANS NEVER HELD HILL 304. DESPITE UNTRUTHFUL GERMAN COMMUNIQUES. (Reed. 9.10 a.m.). PARIS, May 24. Semi-official: The battle at Verdun is becoming more bitter, the latest phases being favourable to us. Furious counter attacks on the whole of our positions at Hill 304 failed, despite infamous use of liquid fire. The assaults on Mort Homme were subsequently, equally unsuccessful. The enemy obstinate and, desperate counter offensive in th© Haudromont and Douaumont sector, led to further French gains and enormous enemy losses. The report concludes by pointing out that German communiques persist in representing that Germans are in occupation of Hill 304, whereas the French never lost the summit, and repeated efforts, to take French trenches from positions on the east side of the Hill to those of Mort Homme, failed. The truth is the German offensive has been stopped, and it is considered important to show the German public that, by no matter what'means, that their armies are still progressing. (