RENEWAL OF ACTIVITY ON VERDUN FRONTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16169, 4 March 1916, Page 7

RENEWAL OF ACTIVITY ON VERDUN FRONTS.

GERMAN INFANTRY; ATTACKS DRIVEN .BACK.; : ? '■;■' FRENCH FIRE DECIMATES THE ENEMY'S RANKS. ; / • .., (Received March 3, 11 p.m.) ■■.' '■'.''?,.* •"'" • " . "-" ■ ■■' : \", • London, March,2. i :..;. The latest French communique states: " Artillery activity north of Verdun and in the Woevre, ' has greatly increased, particularly against 'Morthorame, Poivre Hill,' and Douaumont. '* Hero several German infantry attacks of extreme violence were driven back by our fire, which decimated the enemy's rankß. Our batteries everywhere vigor-/ ously replied to the bombardment. Our long range guns north-east of Saint Mihiel bombarded the station at Vigneulles. There were two outbreaks of:fire, and several trains were struck and, a locomotive wrecked." * . , ' ' ; An earlier communique stated: " The enemy violently bombarded during the night' Dead Man' and Goose hills, Malancourt and Forges, also the principal passages of the Meuse. East of the Meuse there has been slight artillery activity. In the Woevre, after intense preparation by artillery, the enemy yesterday evening made a lively attack on positions at Grenee, being immediately driven back' by counter-attack from somo of the elements he had penetrated."