The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27
Fighting Around Great French
Stronghold Most Bloody OF
, the War
LONDON AND PARIS
AWAIT BAD NEWS
German Capital Wild With
Enthusiasm Capture of the
Fortress, However. Will Still
Cost Thousands of Lives

London, Feb 2S.-Germany Of
flCaally announced today that Fort
Douaumont, one OF the fortifica-
tons of Verdun, was taken by
storm yesterday afternoon, and
IL now firmly held by the Ger
mans.
The Kaiser witnessed the cap
ture of the fort by the troops of
the Crown Princes army. The
final assault was made by the
Twenty fourth Regiment, of
Brandenberg, i'm binding snow
storm. The battle around Yer
dun Is the greatest fought since
the beginning OF the war.
From Fort Douaumont the hg
Inch guns of the Crown
Princes batteries, which, 1t Is
safe TO assume, viii be quickly
mounted I'm the captured strong
hold. will now he brought to bear
upon Forts Tavenncs and yanr.
These forts are Immediately to
the south. Aiso directly within
range will bo Fort de Bcileviilc,
to the southwest of Douaumopt
and Just outside ow Serdun.
Within the sweep OF the German
gums will bc the entire northern
plain about the city.
Average a Mile n Day.
With the advance of the last TWEEN.
ty-four hours the Germans havs
hurled the French line back six miles
on an eight-mile front In six days. ar
average Of a mile a day. This 10 By
far the greatest reverse suffered bs
either hostile force in the west since
the battle OF the Marine.
For fury and weight OF men and
guns the battle has had few prece.
dents in the war, The losses have
been terrific on both sides. The Ger
man casualties, according TO wha'
Paris terms an authoritative source
are placed at more than loo, 900 The
French losses probably have been
nearly as great, despite the fact that
their defense has been made il the
trenches and behind armored works
ronight's report indicates that Sc
ries of counter attacks have been he
gun. proba bly, at n great sacrifice, as
they are against troops flushed with
victory. and likely to offer the most
stubborn resistance.
Dispatches from Berlin describe
demonstrations of JOY In the streets
of the empires capital, following pub
iicat3on OF the news of the fall oi
Fort Douaumont. Flags were raised
over public and private buildings. and
the praises OF the gallant Brandon
burgers were on all lips. The national
anthem was sung before the palace
and q triumphal procession marched
through Inter Den Linden. German
papers expressed confidence in the
army. but some warned the public
against extravagant hopes. The
Frankfurter Zeitung declared that the
German regiments are fighting in a
sea of fire"
French Oficiai Report.
Neither official statement from
Paris today admits the fall OF the
fort. Tonights communique. how
ever. says:
In Artois the day was marked by
mine lighting. We blew up two mine
chambers, one west OF the road from
Lille, and the other under communi-
20 the east of Neuville-St. Vast
In Champagne we completely re-
pulsed a German attack on the salient
carried by us south of Ste Marte-a-Py.
The total number OF prisoners taken
by us in this affair now reaches $40.
CT whom nine are officers. and thirty
six non -command officers.
A destructive fire was directed
against the German works north OF
and In the region oi
Mont Tetu.
In the region north of Verdun tho
tombardment continues necessarily
10th to the east and west of tbs
Mouse. AT various points on our front
which were assailed, our troops re.
piled to the German assaults with Wig.
orous counter-attacks. All the new
German attempts In the region OF
Champ Melville and on La Cote du
Poivre pepper hilD. where we are
.olidly established, have been repuls-
ed.
Fight Raps Around Fort.
A furious battle is being waged
around Fort Douaumont, which is an
& advanced unit of the old defensive or.
ganization of Verdun fortress The
position this carried this morning b,
The enemy after several fruitless as
saults. which cost very heavy losses
has again been reached and passed by
cur troops, whom the enemy. despite
all his efforts, has not been able te
throw back.
Northwest of st. Mihiel our heavy
artillery has bombarded the German
hangers and depots near Vigneulles.
The Germans have fired several
heavy shells In the direction of Lune-
willie and Nancy.
Brings Down Airmen.
In the verdun region today Adju-
fant Navarro. In a monopiane, brought
Gown with a machine gun two German
aeroplanes. This makes a total OF Ave