CAPTURE OF THIAUMONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 17

CAPTURE OF THIAUMONT.

PARIS, June 20

The capture of Thiaumont was Ger> niany's supreme effort. It is evident that the Crown Prince was desperate, and was reinforced by heavy artillery from Metz. The guns were massed on the right bank of the Meuse. Eight inch and Isin shells and tear bombs were rained for 50 hours on a front of 3.V miles north of Fleury village. After the bombardment the enemy attacked with at least six divisions, working out to the fantastic figure of 27 attackers to each yard of front. The enemy's objective was Fleury village and the adjoining Chapitre Wood, which would enable them to attack both the front and rear of the Souville fort, which is the last defence but one on the right bank of the Meuse and only 1200 yards from the new German position.

Throughout Friday morning the French infantry and artillery held back the Germans, inflicting the heaviest losses on the storming parties. Prisoners estimate the loss of the attackers in the forenoon to be at least 60 per cent. After 12 charges the Germans were reinforced, and made a breach in the French line east of the Thiaumont work, into which they immediately flung all their available reserves, submerging the work under German assaulting waves. The French then evacuated Thiaumont. Their advance enabled Ihe Germans

to drive a wedge between the two main Trench positions. So elated were they at the success at Thiaumont that the (iermans surged on Fleury. Here they met such a determined resistance that progress was impossible. The Trench at a critical moment made a bayonet attack and drove the enemy to the northern conOnes of Henry. The net advance for the day was 700 yards.