Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-29
GRAPHIC STORIES OF FIGHTING
IN GREAT BATTLE OF VERDUN

PARIS, February 29.-Military critics
here express the opinion that the Ger
man forces. which at the beginning OF
the battle around Verdun numbered
probably half a million, now exceed
1900
THE situation is now decidedly bet
ter" is the phrase commonly used this
morning in the Paris press regarding
the struggle for the great French
stronghold. The French are beginning
to react vigorously against the German
'bludgeon strokes" which are having
less and less effect and are being de-
livered with diminished energy.
ut is expected. however. that they
will be renewed again today. but at
new points. The fact that the battle
is now shifting is taken as sign that
the German general staff has begun to
despair of making a real impression on
the French defense.
MANY Civilians Killed.
Reports from Verdun say that twenty
one persons of the civilian population
have been killed by shells which fell
in the city small remnant of the
population were still reluctant to leave.
but were urged by the authorities to
go, and they crowded on open freight
cars, used for the handling Of artillery.
and. exposed to the snow and cold, they
departed for a safer region
One aged woman had refused to go,
stating that she was resigned to die.
but her maid, who herself was sixty
two years old, pleaded with her and
finally placed her in a wheelbarrow
and wheeled her eight miles through
snow and mud to a place of safety.
Verdun an Empty Shell.
verdun, the object of all this sacri-
fee. is nothing but IAN ancient fort
ress," according to authoritative in
formation and if the Germans take it
they will find it only an empty shell.
Fort Douaumont. before which such
sacrifice in lives has been made by its
assailants, holds neither cannon nor
garrison 1t is six months since that
the French, putting into practice the
lessons of the war showing that fort
resses are more vulnerable than field
works. UNBIASED" Nerdun and all its
provisions. arms and munitions as well
as those in the surrounding fort, were
sent to the rear.
Eighty thousand men and several
hundred cannon would have been the
trophies of a conquest or the place In
September, 1914.
Value of Town Small.
Today verdun also IS not fortress.
1t has neither cannon nor garrison and
has no provisions except fer the cur
rent needs Of the population. The
value of the town itself is scarcely
more than that of any one of the viii
lagos to the north taken by the Ger
mans in the last six days, since it was
never more than a military stronghold.
The attitude of the people and press
in France is of calm confidence, which
is heightened by pride in the heroic
counter attacks the French are max
ing. reliance is placed not in Verdun.
nor in any other stronghold. but in the
army which the Germans must destroy
before French confidence is shaken.
Termed "Frightful Massacre"
"A frightful massacre" is how Ger
man soldiers, taken prisoner in the bat
tile of Verdun. describe the effect Of the
French artillery, machine gun and rifle
fire But the impetus Of the assaulting
forces was not diminished thereby dur
; tho first four days, because fresh
icons we're thrown into the battle I'M
ceasingly.
may be-" was the order given to the
German troops before the attack. This
is verified by documents found on one
of the captured officers.
The most critical moment in the six
days actions was when the Germans
gained a footing in the intrenched
camn by the capture of Fort Douau-
mont. The least hesitation on the part
of the defenders would have been dis
astrous. The Germans redoubled their
efforts to take advantage of any con-
fusion. but the French Immediately be-
gan a counter offensive.
Clash a Murderous One.
French infantry advanced at double
muck to the trumpet charge and leaped
ut the first ranks Of the Germans with
irresistible fury. The clash was MUIR
derous to both sides. The thinned
French ranks were not to be denied,
wing, while reinforcements were hur-
Red to their support. The German
lines wavered first west of Douaumont,
then were driven out OF the ruins of
the fort.
the French line. and the ardor of the
counter attack was redoubled. In the
meantime an artillery duel. SURPRISING
in intensity any previous action of the
war, added to the carnage.
Critical Point Of Battle.
Tho battle now seems to have reached
a critical point. The assaulting forces
have recoiled slightly in the region Of
Douaumont. leaving the regiments
which occupied the fort cut OF and