VERDUN.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7922, 23 August 1917, Page 3

VERDUN.

ANOTHER BATTLE IN PROGRESS. FRENCH GAIN THEIR OBJECTIVES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, August 21. Reuter’s correspondent at French headquarters states: At dawn to-day the French began another battle on the historic field of Verdun. For over a fortnight their batteries on both sides of the MeuSe have been hammering the German line on both sides of the river, from Avocourt Wood on the left bank to Bezonvaux on the right, a distance of fully sixteen miles. . This morning the infantry leapt from the trenches with a splendid rush and within forty minutes carried the limits of the first line objective. All the objectives of the day were carried by seven o’clock. A French official message states: At Verdun the Germans energetically and most violently counter-attacked during the night, notably at Avocourt Wood and northward of Caurieree Wood. The attack was broken by oitr fire, with heavy losses to the enemy. We organised the positions we conquered yesterday. . i We have taken 5000 unwounded prisoners, including 116 officers. ENEMY ’ S *VERSION. LONDON, August 21. A German official message states: The battle of Verdun is going in our favor. The enemy penetrated our defensive zone at Avocourt Wood and Morthomme. We repulsed attacks on the east bank of the Meuse. GIANT FRENCH GUN. THROWS SHELLS SIX MILES HIGH. (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) PARIS, August 22. The “ Echo de Paris ’ ’ mentions that the new giant French gun used at Verdun throws a shell nearly six miles high.