LATEST PHASES OF VERDUN BATTLE

Nelson Evening Mail, 25 May 1916, Page 5

LATEST PHASES OF VERDUN BATTLE

STILL FAVOURABLE TO THE " FRENCH.-

(Rec. May 25, 9.10 a.m. ) / PARIS, May 24. A semi-official message says the battle of Verdun is becoming.bitter. The latest phases are favourable io us.

A furious counter-attack on the whole of our positions at Hill 304 failed despite f the infamous "ose of liquid fire. The assaults at Mort Homme were subsequently equally unsuccessful. The enemy's obstinate and desperate coun-tei*-offensive in the Handromont-Douau-mont sector led to further French gains and enormous enemy losses. The message concludes by pointing out that German coitirmmiques persist in representing that the Germans are in occupation of Hill 304, whereas the French have never lost the summit.

Repeated efforts to take the French trenches from positions on the . east side of the hill to those at Mort Homme failed- ' The truth is that the German offensive has been stopped and ii"is considered important to snow the German public by no matter what means thai the armies are still progressing.

GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. May 25, 12.20 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, May 24. A ' German communique says that strong English forces attacked our now positions south-west of Givenchy. A few penetrated, but fell in hand to hand fighting. All attacks were lepulsed "with very great English losses. There were also small atacks at Hulluch and Blaireville; Thuringen troops stormed and captured Cumieres villages, taking prisoner 300. The enemy renewed attacks - in the Douaumont sector, and suffered the severest losses, We regained ground almost everywhere. The fighting continues.