EPIC OF FORT VAUX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16259, 19 June 1916, Page 6

EPIC OF FORT VAUX.

GALLANT DEFENDERS.

FRENCH GARRISON CUT OFF.

GRENADES OF GOOD SERVICE

FIGHTING THIRST AND GERMANS.

LONDON. JUNE 16.

One of the most heroic incidents of the French resistance at Fort Vaux, north of Verdun, was the defence of the north-western outer works by the 101 st Regiment, composed of Parisians. A semi-official statement shows that the position was difficult but important, because it obstructed German efforts to encircle Fort Vaux. The Germans determined to capture the work at any cost, and a bombardment with llin shells began on June 1, and lasted all night, the regiment being isolated. Supplies were unobtainable, and the water was exhausted, but no complaints were made, and every man stood to his loophole with a stock of grenades awaiting the infantry attack. , All the Sockets Exploded. The bombardment continued until evening, when the German infantry advanced. A hail of grenades was loosed, and the Germans turned and fled in disorder. The French fired a rocket as a signal to their artillery to aid the defenders with a curtain of shell fire, but the rocket exploded the entire supply of rockets, which deluged the trench with red and green flames, and the densest smoke. The fire spread, but the regiment worked heroically to extinguish it, and save the stock of grenades. It succeeded after an hour. Meanwhile the bombardment was renewed, and the infantry returned to the assault at 2.30 in the morning. The defenders were ordered to let the Germans come close, and fire was withheld until they were within 15 paces of the trench, when the officers and men hurled grenades with the utmost speed, mowing down their assailants. One German reached the trench, and received a grenade full in his face. Thus the second attack was beaten off, but the regiment was still isolated. Thirst became almost unbearable, and the men feared it more than the enemy. Providentially a rainstorm set in, and canvas sheets were spread, and even drinking tins put out to catch the drops. The bombardment was maintained all day, and the trench was enfiladed by machine-guns from both sides. Wave after wave of Germans assaulted the heroic defenders, but all in vain, and the Germans abandoned the attack. On June 3 the regiment was relieved under cover of night. Making the Germans Fay. Meanwhile 400 thirst-stricken defenders of Vaux Fort held out amid the invested ruins despite the pitiless bombardment. It is estimated that since March never less than 8000 heavy shells fell each day. A few men managed to creep out and bring in scanty supplies of water. Every window held a machine-gun and picked rifle shots, and not a German left the courtyard alive. Barricades were erected at every corner, and before each lay a pile of German corpses. The Germans scaled the roofs, lowered grenades in baskets, and swung them through the windows. A stretcher-bearer named Vanir escaped through a grating and took out Major Raynal's last message on June 6. "We are near the end. We have all done our duty. Vive la France !"

The same day the French witnessed heavy explosions within the fort, and next day the Germans announced its capture.