FRENCH SUPERIORITY IN THE OPEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3234, 8 March 1916, Page 17

FRENCH SUPERIORITY IN THE OPEN.

PARIS, February 29.

La Liberte's correspondent writes: " The 26th was one of the most glorious days for the soldiers of France. During 18 hours our soldiers were exposed to a deluge of shot and shells of such intensity that an 1870 veteran officer said it was impossible for human beings to remain in such a hell. Yet our men remained, and the enemy gave way. Our soldiers did not flinch in the iron rain. The German leaders, with incredible pro* digality, sacrificed thousands of lives. There was one critical moment in the middle of the forenoon. Following the taking of Douaumont, the Ger= mans gained a footing in our inner en= trenchments, but the French were or* dered to hold to the death.

" A furious attack burst upon them. By enormous masses in successive waves the German infantry dashed forward and closed ranks, stretching endlessly. It was a supreme attack, which might decide the fate of Ver> dun. Our batteries kept up a ceaseless fire and ravaged the enemy. "We then launched a vigorous counter-attack. With irresistible dash our soldiers threw themselves upon the Germans. The struggle was dread= •fully murderous, but the French proved their superiority in the open ground. The foremost ranks of the enemy were thrown into confusion and fell back slightly. We followed up the advantage, and the Germans were overwhelmed and pushed westward. They abandoned the ruined fort, and a cry of triumph burst from the French ranks."

EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND GER MANS ENGAGED.

PARIS, February 29

M. Marcel Hutin writes in the Echo de Paris: "The battle is being fought with various fluctuations. If our wall of troops, which is ready for any sacrifice, sterns for two days more the most colossal weight ever driven against defensive positions, the tide will turn definitely; the enemy's attack will be broken. Latest calculations state that BCO,OOO Germans are engaged in the offensive."

A German regiment was surrounded (? surrendered) at Douaumont.

SITUATION WELL IN HAND

LONDON, February 28

There is little news of Verdun, except the communiques, though the public in Britain and France cheered M. Briand's glowing story of the recapture of Douaumont. Other hopeful signs are that the

Germans have not issued any further special headquarter statements announcing successes, as they did on Saturday. The belief that General Joffre has the situation well in hand is confirmed by the fact that he has not found it necessary to apply a counter-irritant elsewhere. It is understood that General von Bele.:er, the victor of Antwerp, is directing the German heavy artillery at Verdun.

FRESH GEEMAN ATTACKS. LONDON, February 28

The Germans at the end of yesterday made several attempts to carry the village of Douaumont, but their efforts broke against the resistance of our troops, which remain unshaken by their most furious assaults.

The situation is unchanged at Fort Douaumont, which remains closely surrounded.

Fighting is less furious on the plateau northward of Vaux.

The enemy on the Woevre plain have assumed a more active attitude. The railway station at Fix was taken and retaken, and now remains in our possession. All the German efforts to capture Hill 255, south-east of Eix, failed. A German attack on Manheulles failed completely.

SLIGHT GERMAN SUCCESS

PARIS, February 28

A communique states : The enemy in the Champagne region at Navarin Farm, northward of Souain, by a coup-de-main succeeded in penetrating some elements of our advanced line and support trench. An intense bombardment continues northwards of Verdun, especially on the central sector and the right. No fresh attempt has been made against Poivre Hill.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT

LONDON, February 28.

A Berlin communique claims a gain along a front of 1600 yards at Navarin Farm, and to have captured 1000 prisoners, a mortar, and nine machine guns. The German press has evidently been instructed for the present to adopt a most cautious attitude in regard to Verdun. The Frankfurter Zeitung merely says that the French reports admit that the Germans have initiated a big and successful operation. The Cologne Gazette claims a great German success.

COLONEL REPINGTON'S VIEWS

JOFFRE NOT TO BE BUSTLED

LONDON, February 28.

Colonel Repington, in The Times, says : '' Verdun is the real thing at last. The enemy's decision to put their fortunes to the touch will be received with fierce delight on the west front. The appointment of Prince Henry of Prussia to the high naval command heralds a German offensive on the water as well as on land. "There are now 118 German divisions on the west front, and of these 25 divisions are attacking Verdun. The general security of the allied lines is not seriously menaced, nor would they be even if the whole right bank of the Meuse at Verdun fell into German hands. If the enemy are prepared to pay the price, we shall exact it."

Colonel Repington exjiects a fresh German offensive elsewhere, possibly in the Champagne. Colonel Repington, the military critic of The Times, writes : " The French were not caught napping. General Joffre never had larger reserves better placed in security. The Kaiser and Marshal von Falkenhayn adopted a desperate remedy suiting their imperilled interests. The opinion in France and Britain is one of calm hope. Public or political clamour will not force General Joffre to a premature counter-offensive. It is probable that the main French reserves have not yet been moved, and that General Joffre is confident that the local reserves will be sufficient. After the Germans are exhausted our time will come. Waiting will not lessen the weight of the blow."

THE BRITISH FRONT

LONDON, February 28

Sir Douglas Haig reports : We repulsed a small attack south-east of Albert. The enemy during the night sprang a mine on the La Bassee Canal, doing some damage to c ,our trenches.

THE DUMA UNITED,

TO THE BITTER END

LONDON, February 28

Petrograd advises that all the Duma speeches, irrespective of party, breathe an iron determination to pz - osecute the war until complete victory is attained.

Criticism of the Government is confined to their failure to utilise to the fullest extent the national resources and the services of public bodies.

CHANGED HANDS AGAIN

LONDON, February 28.

The German press states that Russia has bought from Japan four warships which she captured in the Russo-Japanese war.

MARSHAL VON HINDENBURG SHELVED.

LONDON, February 28,

The Berliner Tageblatt reveals the fact that Marshal von Hindenburg has been practically shelved, statins that though the German people are hoping that everything is for the best, they are astonished

that so great a leader is tied to duties that could easily be performed by another.

FATS FAMINE IN GEEMANY,

LONDON, February 28

Some Germans visiting Copenhagen describe the seriousness of the lack of fat and butter. Thousands of Germans are staying in bed by their doctors' orders for the sake of the extra warmth. The factories are using all the available lard and margarine for the manufacture of glycerine.