THE FAILURE AT VERDUN

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 146, 21 June 1916, Page 7

THE FAILURE AT VERDUN

NEW TONE IN GERMAN PRESS

"FRANCE HAS BEEN BLED WHITE"

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) {Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, 19th June. ' Mr. H. -Werner Allen, the British correspondent on the western front, reviewing the Battle of Verdun, says : "After the' failure of the great, assault, by which it was hoped to produce a -decisive effect by bringing about demoralisation and revolution in France, the Germans have now settled down to the slow and methodical wearing away of. the. French, defences. Their heavy artfl-. Jery ■work'at'Verdun represents; tlie highest conceivable effort of a great manufacturing country, but the German press has now changed its tune, declaring that though Verdun has not been taken, France has been bled white. But,/ whereas the French have continually relieved and rested their Verdun troops, ' "the Germans have not attempted to economise. They have drawn every man available from the depots, and have heavily drained the new war contingents of the ages of twenty. Altogether 39-j divisions—about 880,000/ me been hurled at Verdun, representing half the German forces available in France. The Germans have failed to capture the fortress, or demoralise France, or interfere with the Allies' plans." • , I (i'resa Association.) OFFICIAL REPORTS. ' . PARIS, 20th June. A communique states : After a sharp bombardment, an enemy detachment attempted to approach our lines between the Avre a-nd the Oise, but was repulsed. ■ 1 There was a violent bombardment north of Thiauniont and in the Vaux, Chapitre, and Souville sectors.. '■■'■. .The enemy's aii l squadron bombed a village/ south of Verdun, killing and wounding several German prisoners who were camped there. , (Received June 21,< 11.15 a.m.) PARIS, 20th June. A communique states : Three German attacks on Hill 321 on the riglft bank of the Meuse were smashed. FRENCH ATTACKS REPULSED. . AMSTERDAM, 20th June. A German official communique states: The enemy's attacks at Thiaumonfc Wood (north of Verdun) were repulsed; also repeated night attacks on the Fumin Wood. . ■ ' Two English biplanes were destroyed,' and the aviators killed. Our air squadrons attacked the railway station, military works, and factories at Beccart, Raoue, and Etape. -,