VERDUN BATTLES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17198, 19 June 1916, Page 7

VERDUN BATTLES.

WORTH OF THSAUMONT. SUCCESSIVE ATTACKS BROKEN. Tlio High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, June 16. A French official message says that on tlio right of tlio Mouse the enemy directed at six in tho evening :i powerful offensive to the north of the Thiaumont work from Hill 321 to the borders of Hill 320. Machine-gun and infantry fire broke successive attacks, costing the Germans heavy losses. GERMAN ATTACKS. NORTH OF FLEURY. (Received Juno 18, 11 p.m.) PARIS, Juno 18. A communique states:—We captured positions and trcncr.es northward of Hill 321, making prisoners. A French long-range gun bombarded the stations at V'igneuiics and Hattonchatel, causing a fire. A violent German offensive was launched against the lino from Hill 321 to near Hill 320, the latter a half-mile nor.hward of Floury and strongly held, s-.ghtly nearer Verdun than any point hitherto within the zone of infantry encounters. A stupendous artillery duel has begun in the sector north of Floury. (Hill- 321 is a mile north-east of Bras and a mile north-west of Hill 320.) ' WEST OF THE MEUSE. ENEMY TRENCHES TAKEN, The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, Juno 16. On both banks of the Meuso there is intermittent artillery activity. To-day, in confirmation of our attack yesterday on tho slopes south of the Mort Homme* wo captured enemy trencher, on a front of about one kilometre. All enemy attempts to dislodge us completely failed. The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, June 17. On the left of tho Meuse German grenade attacks on Avocourc Itccioubt and westward of Hill 304 wore easily repulsed. There was an intense bombardment at the Morthommo, without infantry actions. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. PARIS, June 16. A communique states that the enemy made several counter-attacks against lost trenches at the Mort Homme, but failed. Tho enemy commenced a violent offensive north of the Thiaumont works, but our lire smashed all attacks, inflicting heavy losses. The enemy attempted to attack the southern edge of Cailictte wood, but our artillery prevented tho iufantiy leaving tho trenches. GERMAN CLAIMS. AMSTERDAM, Juno 16. A German conmuniquo states:— Our counter-attack repelled tho French south of the Mort Homme. Ihe enemy repeatedly attacked our adjoining trenches, but tailed, with heavy losses. ' FORT VAUX. PARISIANS’ GALLANT FIGHT. HEROIC RESISTANCE OF ATTACKS. LONDON, Juno 16. One of the ’most heroic incidents of the defence of Vaux Fort was tlio defence ot the north-western outer works by the 101st Regiment, composed of Parisians.. A semi-official story relates that the position was difficult, but. important because it obstructed the German efforts xo encircle V’aux Fort. The Germans determined to capture the wortat any cost, and a bombardment with llin shells began on June 1 and lasted all night. The regiment was isolated, supplies were unobtainable, and the water was exhausted, but there were no complaints. Every man stood at a loophole with a stock of grenades, awaiting the infantry attack. Tho bombardment continued until the evening, and the infantry advanced at eight o’clock. A hail of grenades was loosed, and tho Germans turned and fled in disorder. The French fired a rocket asking for artillery to aid tho defenders with a curtain fire of shell. A rocket exploded the entire supply of rockets, deluging tho trench with red’ and green flames and the densest smoke, and the fire spread. Tho regiment worked heroically to extinguish it and save the stock of grenades, and succeeded after an hour.

Meanwhile tho bombardment had been renewed. The infantry returned to tho assault at 2.30 in the morning, and the defenders were ordered to let the Germans come close. Tho fire was withhold until they wore fifteen paces from tho trench, when tho officers and men hurled grenades at tho utmost speed, mowing down their assailants. One Gorman reached the trench, and received a grenade full in the face. Thus tho second attack was beaten off but the regiment was still isolated. Thirst became almost unbearable and they feared it more than they feared the enemy. Providentially rainstorms set in, and canvas sheets wove spread, and even drinking tins were put out to catch the. drops. The bombardment was resumed and all day tho trench was enfiladed by m neb. n e-gums on both sides. Wave after wave of Germans assaulted the heroic defenders, but all in vain, and the Gormans abandoned the attack. On June 3 the regiment was relieved under cover of night. Meanwhile^ 400 of tho thirst-stricken defenders of Vaux Fort held out amid the invested ruins, despite a pitiless bombardment. It is estimated that since March never less than 8000 heavy shells fell every day. ,A few men managed to creep out and bring in a scanty supply of water. Every window was held by ;a machinegun "and picked rifle shots, and not a, German was left in tho courtyard alive. Barricades were erected in every corner, and before each lay a pile of German corpses. Tho Germans sealed the roofs and lowered grenades in baskets and swung them through the windows. A stretcher-bearer named Vainer escaped through a grating and took out a last messago on June 6: “We are near the end. All have done their duty. Vivo la France!” Tho same day tho French witnessed heavy explosions within th® fort, and next day the G-mans announced its capture.