VERDUN.

Evening Star, Issue 16050, 29 February 1916, Page 6

VERDUN.

ENEMY’S OFFENSIVE SUITS ALLIES’ BOOK. COLONEL REPINCTON OPTIMISTIC. LONDON, February 28. (Received February 29, at 8.20 a.m.) ColoneL Repington, in ‘The Times,’ .=ays ; “ Verdun ia the real thing at last. The enemy’s decision to put their fortunes to the touch will be received with fierce delight on the west front. The appointment of Prince Henry of Prussia to the High Naval Command heralds a German offensive on the water as well as on kind. ■ “There are now 118 German divisions on the west front, and of these 25 divisions aro nttucking Verdun. crsnornl .security of tho allied lines is not seriously menaced, nor would they be even if the whole right bank of the Meuse at Verdun fell into German hands. If the enemv are prepared to pay the price, we shall exact it.” Colonel Repington expects a fresh German offensive elsewhere, possibly in tho Champagne. THE DOUAUMONT STRUGGLE GERMANS CAUGHT IN TRAP. PARIS TACTICS REPEATED. . HIDDEN FRENCH ARMY CORPS.

PARIS, February 28. (Received February 29, at 10.55 a.m.) M: Briand, tho Premier, in the lobby of the Chamber .of Deputies, told a graphic story of tho French counter-attack at Douaumont- Ho said i “The enemy advanced from Champ Neuvillo and occupied Douaumont Tort, but the very moment the Germans thought they had obtained possession of this formidable position, after an enormous sacrifice of life, a French army corps held in reserve made a violent counter-attack. The Germans were caught between frightful curtains of fire, and were swept by our machine guns from all sides. Then the sudden appearance of our fresh divisions surprised them, and it stopped the German attack dead. Tho fighting assumed titanic proportions. Tho Germans thrico gained the fort, and were thrice driven out, our heroic Frenchmen fighting with absolute frenzy.” DISCREET SILENCE. London ‘ Times ’ and Sydney ‘ Sun ’ Services. LONDON, February 28. The German Press have evidently been instructed for the pres Bit to adopt a most cautious attitude in regard to Verdun. Tho ‘ Frankfurter Zeitung ’ merely savs that the French reports admit that the Germans havo initiated a big and successful operation. Tho ‘ Cologne Gazette ’ claims a great German success, . MORE GERMAN ATTACKS. , NO SUCCESS ANYWHERE. LONDON, February 28. . (Received February 29, at 12.5 p.m.) is little news of Verdun, except •the communiques, though tho public in England and Franco cheered M. Briand's (glowing etory of the recapture of Douau.mont. Other hopeful signs are that the (Germans have not issued any further special headquarter statements announces they did on Saturday. J-Jio belief that General Joft're lias the (situation well in hand is confirmed by the ifact that he has not found it necessary •to apply a counter-irritant elsewhere. > It js understood that General Von . Beleser, the victor of Antwerp, is direct.mg the German heavy artillery at Verdnu. 1 The Germans at the end of yesterday lhade several attempts to carry the villagedf Douaumont, but their efforts broke against the resistance of our troops, which remained unshaken by their most furious assaults, :• The situation _is unchanged at Fort Douaumont, which remains closely, surrounded, • lighting is less furious on the plateau • northward of .Vaux. The enemy on tho Woevre plain havo •assumed a more active attitude. Xh© rail-"' ■way station at_ Eix was taken and retaken, • and now remains in our possession. All the German efforts to capture Hill 255, south-east of Eix, failed. A German attack on M.anheulles failed completely. PARIS, February 28. • A communique states i—Tho enemy in the Champagne region Navarin Farm, • northward’ .of Souain, by a coup-domain succeeded in penetrating elements of our advanced line and support trench. An intense bombardment continues northwards of Verdun, especially on the central sector and, the right. ‘ No French (? fresh) attempt has .been mado against Poivro Hill. Tho High Commissioner’s cable contains ; the following additional information, dated .London, February 28 (5.25 p.m.);—ln Belgium the batteries have bombarded the German works on the face of \ Steensteaate. In tbo Voges the Allies "bombarded several enemy cantonmepts in