VERDUN

Nelson Evening Mail, 7 August 1916, Page 5

VERDUN

FIERCEST FIGHTING RENEWED. THIAUMONT SOLIDLY OCCUPIED. PARIS, Aug. 5. The Verdun fighting is of the fiercest, character. The artillery on both sides is so packed' that- mass movements are. impossible. GenfarS-l Niivelle adopted infiltration methods, an advance by small parties enabling the advance on Fleyry. A communique states that the fighting at Thiaumont lasted all day. All the attacks north-west and southward of Thiaumont failed to dislodged us, and we resumed "the offensive, inflicting most severe losses and carrying the Thiaumont work for the second time in 12 hours. We retain possession of it, despite many counter-attacks. The fighting was equal in fury- at Fleury, which we evacuated after many attacks We retook the greater part of the village with the bayonet in the afternoon, capturing 400 prisoners.

The Germans continue to offer a stub bom resistance.

We dropped bombs on railway stations at Stenay, Montmedy and Sedan, and on bivouacs at Danvillers. PARIS, Aug 5. A communique states that the Germans attempted by furious counter-at-tacks to drive us out of the Thiaumontworks, which we have solidly occupied. The fighting lasted from nine in the evening until the morning, causing heavy losses to the enemy, who were repulsed- at each attempt without gaining the slightest advantage. The fighting was also lively in x-he village of Fleury, where there is no appreciable change. Our aeroplanes on the Somme had 17 combats, in which two German machines fell headlong. Three others were brought down elsewhere.

FURTHER: GROUND GAINED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.\

(Rec. Aug. 7. 12.30 p.ni,) PARIS, Aug. 6.

A communique say.-i: We gained ground north-west of Thiaumont Work. Aviators bombed numerous rail waxworks and military depots.

(Reuter's Telegrams.)

PARIS, Aug. 6. A communique says we- hold all the. southern part of the village of Fleury. The Germans after an all day bombardmei:* n ade two powerful attacks at Vaux and Cliapitre Wood. One was repulsed. The other penetrated portions of our trench, but the enemy were immediately ' driven out. Our front remains intact.