The midland journal., 1916-07-21
NEARING CLIMAX
AT FORT vERDUN
One Large Defense Works Sepa-
rate Germans From City.
GREAT ATTACK IMMINENT
Forces Of Crown Prince Two and a
Half Miles Away After 14s Days
of Fighting - British
Moving On.
lCopvright.)


London.-Only two miles and half
from the center of Verdun, the German
Crown Prince is believed to be pre-
pairing for a series of the greatest
storming actions of the war.
The battle, which opened 14S days
ago, is fast approaching a climax
Only one of the larger defense works
now separates the Germans from the
city, the shattered Fort Souville.
The German approach to Verdun
now lies down hill. The capture OF
Froid Terre has given them artillery
command of the neighborhood. and
from this dominating position they are
pouring down a tremendous fire into
Souville and the two smaller forts to
the southward-Bellev and st.
Michel.
Further east on their front, which
now stretches practically on straight
line from point on the northern ap-
proaches to Souville to point south
of Damlop, the Germans are heavily
bombarding the strong Laufee Held
work, fortified forest. They are con-
centrating their energy on the left
bank of the Meuse, their occasional
outbursts on the opposite side OF the
river being apparently merely intend
ed to prevent the French from trans
ferring troops to the sectors of the
main attack.
Information from Berlin is to the
oee1 nj Of Un1-fl1Jn a a
mass of ruins. The German artillery
has had the last French defense under
fire for more than { week and the steel
and concrete works have been trans
formed to dust and debris.
The latest statement from Paris
makes no reference to any action ex-
cept the bombardment of Souville.
The earlier report also told of the
furious fire which is being poured
into the French defenses.
Berlin announces, more than 1000
prisoners have been taken in the fight
ing around Souville. The recently cap
tured positions are being brought still
further forward,
British Moving On.
The British have made further ad-
vance north Of the Somme, according
to report received from General
Haig
With Contalmaison and the entire
German first line Of defense on that
and adjoining sectors firmly in their
hands, the English troops are striking
to the eastward toward Combles and
Bapaume, Longueval. a junction point
on the high road system, and the
heights of Martinpuich. two and half
miles northeast of Contamination,
which command the battle ground for
miles around, are the immediate OBJ
jects of their campaign.
Strong Infantry Attacks.
General Haig is not relaxing for
moment the pressure by which he
hopes eventually to drive the invad-
ers from France. Taking leaf from
their own book, the British are direct
ing against the Germans in the field
the same sort of campaign the Ger
mans are attempting to carry out
against the fortress of Verdun. Strong
infantry assaults, each prepared by
artillery fire, which wipes out trenches
and levels fortifications, are being
launched by the British at many points
on the front and so far satisfactory
headway has been gained in all of
| these.
The Germans are reported to have
concentrated $4,000 men on short
front to check the British advance on
the dominating heights of Martin
puich. These troops are being hurled
forward in savage and costly counter
attacks.
Berlin, admitting the complete loss
of Contamination, claims success in