NEW BATTLE OF VERDUN OPENED BY THE FRENCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16624, 22 August 1917, Page 7

NEW BATTLE OF VERDUN OPENED BY THE FRENCH.

GERMANS DRIVEN ALMOST TO ORIGINAL LINE. SPLENDID RESULTS ACHIEVED WITH SMALL CASUALTIES. BOTH SUMMITS OF MORT HOMME HILL CAPTURED. OVER FOUR THOUSAND UNWOUNDED GERMANS SURRENDER '" ' <<r (Received 9 p.m.) LONDON. August 21. A correspondent at French headquarters states that at dawn yesterday the French commenced another battle on the historic field of Verdun. For over a fortnight batteries on both banks of the Meusehad been hammering the German line on both sides of the river from Avocourt Wood on the left bank, to Bezonvaux on the right bank, a stretch of fully 16 miles. The infantry leapt from the trenches when the signal was given with a splendid rush, and within 40 minutes had carried the limits of the first line objectives. All the objectives of the day wero carried by seven o'clock. Reports coming in show that a satisfactory number of prisoners was taken by all the divisions engaged, and there is every reason to hope that splendid results have been achieved with relatively small casualties. Australian and N.Z. and Router. LONDON. August 20. A French communique states: Our troops attacked this morning on both banks of the Meuse with magnificent dash. Early reports show that this new battle of Verdun is developing to our advantage on a front of 12 miles between Avocourt Wood and the north of Bezonvaux. Many prisoners were taken. The bravery of our men was beyond praise. (Received 10.30 p.m.) LONDON. August 21. A later French communique states: North of Verdun we carried the enemy's defences on both sides of the Meuse, on a front of 12 miles, to a depth, at some points, of over a mile and a-quarter. On the bank of the Meuse we practically hold Avocourt Wood, both summits of Mort Homme, and Corbeau and Cumieres Woods. On the right bank of the river we carried Talou Hill, Champneuville, Hill 334, Moront Farm, and from Hill 240 to north of Louvremont. Farther east we made a considerable advance in Fooses Wood and Le Chaume Wood. The total number of unwounded prisoners exceeds 4000. The Germans made violent counter-attacks on Avocourt Wood, Mort Homme, and Hill 344. Our fire everywhere nullified their efforts, and inflicted heavy losses. Our aviators played a brilliant part, using machine-guns on enemy gatherings at low altitudes, thus contributing to the repulse of counter-attacks. Our pilots brought down 11 German aeroplanes, and our special guns brought down two.