FRENCH BRINGING UP MANY REINFORCEMENTS

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

FRENCH BRINGING UP MANY REINFORCEMENTS

ENEMY CLAIMS CAPTURE OF 10,000 PRISONERS. TOTAL ADVANCE OF FOUR MILES. LONDON, February 27. A Frenoh communique state*:—"A desperate struggle rages round Fort Douaumont, which was captured by the enemy this morning, after very great losses." The French artillery firing over measured ground accounts for the enormous Gernran losses near Verdun, but the weight of the German artillery obliterated lield fortifications. The German claim of 10,000 prisoners. is remarkably small for five days' fighting and an advance of four miles and the capture of several small towns and villages. The French are in high spirits, and arc hdding their own. - They are bringing up many reinforcements. The attack oh Verdun forestnlied-a Franco-British offensive in Flanders. The Kaiser's presence is reported from many sources. He pitched his tent on tbe inclement slopes of the Cotes de Meuse, where he liberally harangued the troops. A German wireless message states':—"We made considerable advances, in the Kaiser's presence, cast of the Meuse. We captured hills south-west of Louvemont, east of Champ Ncuvilie; .also fortified positions to the east. The enemy's resistance on the Plain of Wocvre has broken down on the entire front to Marphoville, south of the Paris-Mete high road. We are closelj pursuing. The reported capture of Champ Nenvflle proves to be erroneous." Snow has fallen in abundance in tlie Verdun district The activity of artillery on both sides has been extremely intense, on the whole"" front, especially east of the Meuse. where fighting has .been .pursued with the, same vigour. Several German attacks with large effectives were carried out with unparalleled violence at Poivre Hfli. They were unsuccessful. The French stopped an attack at Vauche Wood. There has been no infantry fighting west of the Meuse. A French communique states:—"Severe fighting continues north of Verdun. The enemy is still directing his efforts against the front east of the Meuse. According to the latest information our troops are holding their positions against repeated enemy onslaughts wbich hare been made regardless of sacrifices. The fighting in the Douaumont region has been particularly fierce. We brought our advanced lines from Ornes and Hennemont nearer to the foot of the Meuse hills without fighting. Our artillery on both banks of. the Meuse replies unceasingly to the enemy's bombardment."