FORT DESTROYED BY FIRE OF BIG GUNS.

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

FORT DESTROYED BY FIRE OF BIG GUNS.

FRENCH WAITING TILL GERMANS HAVE EXHAUSTED THEMSELVES. MAIN RESERVES NOT YET MOVED. , i .'■ i . jCTlmes and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, February 29. German war correspondents at the front describe Fort Douaumont as having been entirely destroyed. The concentrated fire of 17in guns blew the steel and concrete cupolas to fragments. French prisoners were dazed, and stated that the terrific fire quickly made the fort untenable. The military correspondent of the London "Times," Colonel Repington, writes: —"The French have not been caught napping. General JofTrc never had larger reserves better placed. The Kaiser and Gen. yon Falkenhayn have adopted a desperate remedy for their imperilled interests. Opinion in France and England is calm. It is to be hoped that pubb'c and political clamour will not force General Joffre to a premature counter-offensive. It is probable the main French reserves have not yet been moved, General Joffre being confident that the local reserves are sufficient. After the Germans have exhausted themselves our time will come. Waiting will not lessen the weight of the blow. All France waits spellbound, but unafraid.