Increased Violence at Verdun

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 166, 27 June 1916, Page 5

Increased Violence at Verdun

Enemy Captures Thiaumont

By a Supreme Effort.

Enormous German Losses.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYBIGHT.]

Paris, June 26. Semi-official.—The battle of Verdun has been resumed with sudden brutality and infernal violence, heavy gunfire, and extremely fierce "infantry assaults. This indicates that the Germans are delaying us at Verdun, and wish to foil our plans, whose approaching realisation threatens them, or to distract attention while they transfer troops to Russia. The capture of Thiaumont (north-west of Verdun) was Germany’s supreme effort. It is evident that the Crown Prince was desperate, and was reinforced by heavy artillery from Metz, massed-on the right bank of the Meuse. Both Sin. and 15m. shells and tear bombs rained for 50 hours on a front of 3f miles north of Fleury village. After the bombardment the enemy attacked with at least six divisions, working out at the fantastic figure of 27 attackers to each yard of front. The enemy’s objective was Fleury village and the adjoining Chapitre Wood, which would enable him to attack, both frontally and in the rear, Souville Fort, which is the last defence but one on the right bank of the Meuse and only 1200 yards from the new German position. Throughout Friday morning the French infantry' and artillery held back the Germans, inflicting the heaviest losses on the storming parties. Prisoners estimate the loss of the attackers in the forenoon as at least 60 per cent. After twelve charges the Germans were reinforced and made a breach in the French line east of Thiaumont work, wherein they immediately flung all available reserves, submerging the work under German assaulting waves. The French then evacuated Thiaumont. The advance enabled the Germans to drive a wedge between two main French positions. Elated with their success at Thiaumont, the Germans surged on to Fleury, but were met with such a determined resistance that progress was impossible. The French at the critical moment made a bayonet attack and drove the enemy to the northern confines of Fleury. The net advance during the day was 700 yards. IS IT TIME FOR A DIVERSION ? London, June 26. The ‘ * Daily Chronicle ’ ’ says that unless the slow but steady German advance on Verdun is interrupted, it must end in the fall of the town. The French commanders value the ground solely as a means of bleeding the enemy. The Germans rely on the superiority of their heavy guns to neutralise their loss in infantry attacks. We cannot accurately determine which way the balance may be inclined in the last chapters of this bloody rivalry. We should all like to see some diversion which would ease the growing strain of this gruesome contest upon France. Other newspapers give prominence to Berlin and Sir Douglas Haig’s communiques reporting a heavy night-long bombardment on the British front. REDOUBLED ARTILLERY VIOLENCE. [HIGH COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE.] Paris, June 26. On the left bank of the Meuse, there is intense artillery fire in the region of Hill 304 at Morthomme and Chattancourt. On the right bank, the bombardment was redoubled in violence in the sectors at Froide Terre and Fleury. (Received 27, 8.30 a.m.) London, June 26, 3 p.m. In the Argonne, the enemy attempts on small posts at Fille Morte were repulsed by grenades. On the left bank of the Meuse, artillery duels were particularly lively at Morthomme. On the right bank, a German attack on the west work at Thiaumont failed, owing to our curtain and infantry fire. Between Thiaumont Wood and Chenois, during the course of a local operation, the French took some elements of a trench. Elsewhere there is heavy artillery fighting. NICHT ATTACKS WEST OF THIAUMONT FAIL. (Received 27, 8.50 a.m.) Pans, June 26. A communique states:—A German night attack on our positions west of Thiaumont completely failed. We gained during local operations some enemy trenches at Fumin and Chenois Woods. MR. LLOYD CEORCE’S HOMACE TO FRANCE. GERMANY’S MILITARY POWER MUST BE CRUSHED.

London, June 26. The Paris "Journal” says that Mr. Lloyd George, Minister for Munitions, interviewed, rendered a glowing homage to France, her army, and the French nation, which has risen to the greatest height of moral power during this war. "She has,” he said, "utilised her material resources and physical forces to the utmost possible limit. I cannot think of Verdun without emotion. I bow before the gallant heroes whose almost superhuman courage and tenacity has held the Bosches at bay. The defenders had not anticipated such a persistent and prolonged onslaught, involving such terrible sacrifice at the enemy’s expense without any military advantage. It is not the ground gained or lost in a short distance that matters on the western front. It is the lives lost. Verdun is the greatest battle in this war, and will prove decisive.