AN ORGY OF BUTCHERY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 52, 1 March 1916, Page 5

AN ORGY OF BUTCHERY.

ATTACKS MELT UNDER PITILESS HAIL OF FRENCH FIRE. KAISER WATCHES DEFEAT OF HIS PICKED TROOPS. DEAD HEAPED HIGH ON THE HILLSIDE. DASHING COUNTER-ATTACK BY THE FRENCH. (Received 8.3.5 a.m.) LONDON, February 29. The French eye-witness, continuing his story of the fight, says:— "Tbe wave presses on, the whole valley is converted into a volcano, its exit stopped by a barrier of the plain. After a series of attacks this nature ridge 345, in front of Douaumont, was carried, and the bloody tide of battle lapped the base of Douaumont. Attack after attack melted under tbe pitiless French fire, but ultimately t..c seventh wave carried the 24th Brandcnburgcrs up to the crest, and they form at this white heat point of the furnace. All notion of the losses seems to have been engulfed in an org}' of butchery. "Then a famous French corps, which has always been at the point of danger, launched a successful counter-attack. Infantry and Zouaves bounded forward from Beaumont fort and Vaux, on cither side of Douaumont. and converged on the plateau held by the Germans. Brigade after brigade dasher! up, but instead of making straight for the ruined fort, separated into two columns and enveloped the position, cutting off and ultimately taking prisoner a few of the Brandenburgcrs. "From the heights on the other side of Orncs the Kaiser watched wave after wave of German infantry breaking helplessly against the impassable wall. The losses were terrible, but as fast as they fell fresh reserves were brought u p- ;;.-;; • •; ;. - •;.;;-"- "The final attack was against the extreme edge of'the French'positions at Hardaumont, where fearful carnage was wrought. The Glrmans withdrew, leaving thousands of dead heaped high on the hillside. The Kaiser witnessed his broken and dispirited brigades retiring under diabolical fire. "The German losses to February 27 are estimated at 130.000."