OPENING SCENE OF THE FINAL ACT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 50, 28 February 1916, Page 5

OPENING SCENE OF THE FINAL ACT.

POSITIONS TAKEN AT COST OF GHASTLY SLAUGHTER. FRENCH WITHDRAW TO LAST LINE OF OUTER FIELD WORKS BATTLE WILL BREAK FRENCH LINE OR GERMAN OFFENSIVE. LONDON, February 27. Experts are discussing whether the Verdun move is only local, or a win-or-lose effort to break through. The "Spectator" believes it is the opening scene of the final act of the great drama. It adds:—"Verdun, which is tho hinge of the defensive door, continues to hold, and the Allies cannot bo beaten." Various estimates of the Crown Prince's, forces range from 250,000 to 750,000. The most northerly salient fell on Monday night Since then village after village has been stormed and captured at the cost of ghastly slaughter. The French, have withdrawn to the line of field works at high altitudes just outside the permanent forts. The German outposts are within seven miles of Verdun, but the German attack covers not more than one-fifth of jtbe perimeter. The rest of the defences are being only subjected to artillery attack, and only the recently-constructed earthworks ljave been captured. Experta consider that if the battle does not break the French line it will break the German offensive. According to the latest information, the Germans are no longer able to count their sacrifices. The advanced trenches which the French have held since last year as an observation line from Ornes to Hennemont were abandoned, and the French withdrew to the foot of the slopes of the Meuse by the commandant's orders. This was not occasioned by the enemy's attacks.