TO-DAY'S NEWS. THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8463, 31 May 1916, Page 5

TO-DAY'S NEWS.

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

THE SLAUGHTER AT VERDUN.

DESPERATE GERMAN OFFENSIVE."

TEN ASSAULTS REPULSED

. (Received May 31,, 10.35 a.m.) PARIS, May 30.V "Le Petit .Parisien" states that a new German offensive'at Mort Homme and Cumieres bogan on Sunday evening. An unusual movement was noticed in Crow's Wood, and the enemy debouched in columns, but artillery fire stopped them before they reached the French trenches. The Germans redoubled the bombardment for several hours, and thea attacked again and again after midnight. All the assaults failed. The bombardment was resumed during the entire morning with unprecedented intensity. A whole division emerged from. Crow's Wood during the afternoon.' The first waves were forced to take r refuge in shell craters. .Then reinforcements crept up on hajads and knees, and some reached the trenches., but i wore annihilated.

The obstinacy of the struggle nearer Cumieres was even more marked. The enemy attacked 10 times, but was repulsed with bayonets and grenades. The Germans' eleventh assault occupied 300 yards of trenches,, but their situation is precarious.