HOW DOUAUMONT WAS TAKEN

Taranaki Daily News, 10 January 1917, Page 3

HOW DOUAUMONT WAS TAKEN

FORT CARRIED BY AFRICANTROOPS, Under the eyes of General Joffre the French army won their dashing victory at \ oi'dui!. T,he artillery preparation u 'as in proportion to the object to be attained., On October 23 a 'fire broke out at Fort .Douaumont in consequence of the explosion of a 10-inch shell, the defences at the Hardaumont quarries were overthrown, as well as tie Damloup battery, and .the ravine was searched and hammered. The enemy, being uncertain at what point we were going to attack, owing to the wide extent of our action, gradually unmasked all his batteries, which were observed to number over 130, and more than GO of which were successfully silenced, hi the evening a German pigeon which was capturedrevealed the disorder of the troops of the first line, whose leaders iverc urgently asking that their men should be replaced. About 100 Germans voluntarily .rave themselves tip, saying in melancholy tones: "We shall no more take Verdun than you will recapture Douaumont from us." The troops which had to lead the attack belonged to three divisions which alrea'dy knew the sector, whore they had operated previously. Great mutual rivalvv animated these excellent troops, who were nil anxious for the most difficult task—that of retaking Douaumont. General Passage •terminated the order (o attack on the eve of the assault by these words: ''On our left will fight the already 'famous division composed of Zouaves. Moroccans, Algerians, and bluejackets. Ton are disputing for the. honor of risking Foift Douaumont. Let these pioud comrades he sure that they can oount on lis to support them, to open the door for them, mid to share (heir glory. Officers, noncommissioned officers, and men, you will know how to earn the lieno'- by affixing the Croix de la Guerre on your flags. At the first hi iw you will enhance your renown and that of our regiments and battalions, the most famous in France, and the country will i)le=s you." In the mist, wljile the artillery was lengthening its fire, observation became difficult. However, some aeroplanes went out. flvinsr very low, to follow the operalions. The telephone WIRES WERE BROKEN AT EVERY . MOMENT,

but connections by moans of runners, pigeons, and observation posts where the acoustics worked well enabled us to follow the progress of the battle. In a few hours the victory was complete. What seemed an interminable p;r,cession of nri-.oners, with the odiccrs at their hijnd, passed through Verdun. It was like an ironic:'! revenge for the days of the end of February. The glory of taking Fort Douaumont fell to i.lie lot of the Xieolai battalion of tl:e Colonial I'egiment of Morocco. Some enemy parties who had taken refuge in n casement of the fort ivere compelled to surrender on Tuesday night. Tlicy amounted to about .30 men, including some officers and the commandant of the fort. Th • fort was entirely cleared of the enemy, who Heft to the victors a considerably amount of booty, consisting of arms and ammunition,' guns, and engineering tools. Turret No. 515 remained abso'.utely intact, having resisted all bombardments, which says much for the good work of the French engineers who constructed it. The French losses throughout the operations did not exceed half the number of prisoners, which are stated officially to exceed 5000. With General tloffre throughout the battle was General Potato. General Xivelle has addressed the following proclamation to the officers, non-commissioned officers, :,nd men of General Magin's troops:— In four hours, in a magnificent assault, you seized from ycur powerful enemy, at one blow, ground bristling with obstacles and fortresses northeast of Verdun, which lie lias spent eight months in taking from you in thin strips at the cost of desperate efforts and considerable sacrifices. You have added dazzling glories to those which cover the flags of the army of Verdun. In the nam: of this army, I thank you. You have deserved well of your country.