Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-04
Fortress Lost to Germans
Month Ago-Several
Hundred Taken.
FOE SPRINGS COUNTER
Kaiser's Men Later Regain
Village in Ferocious
Assault, Report.

Berlin, Aug. (vfa London 5 sos
p. m.)-The village of Fleury,
north of Verdun, was regained by
the Germans this morning, ii was
officially announced today by the
German army headquarters.
The situation at Fleury and its
vicinity, che statement adds, now
is the same as it was before the
French attack.
Paris, Aug. 5.-Attacking stimuli
taneOusly from the northwest and
from the southeast French troops
yesterday stOrmed the village of
Fleury, three miles north Of Ver-
dun, and captured several hun
dred Germans. In the evening,
however, the Germans launched
furious counter attack and after
several violent attempts succeed
ed in getting a footing in the
southern part OF the village. The
French today continue to hold the
northern section of the place and
heavy fighting is in progress.
On the right bank of the river
Mouse, north of Verdun, the battle
continues along the front of Thia-
mont-F1eury, the Germans attacking
several times during the night with
great fury, it was announced officially
this afternoon by the French war de-
partment. At one period the French
entered Thiamont earthworks, but
withdrew owing to the intensity OF
the German bombardment, taking so
prisoners.
Struggle is Violent.
Around F1eury the struggle was
rfn1A ~ .DIr
ed the village several times and sue
ceeded finally in getting a footing in
the south part of the village. The
French still are holding the northern
section and fighting is still going on,
the statement adds.
All attempts made by the Germans
to drive the French from the station
southeast of F1eury were frustrated.
The French positions at Vacherau-
vile also were attacked during the
night, but the Germans were thrown
back with severe loss.
Verdun Again War Center.
Verdun is again in he center of the
war stage. The recapture of Fleury
which had been held by the Germans
more than a month has caused great
citation in France. 1t is the first fruit
of the French slow and methodical Of
fenSIVe begun three days ago ana
seems, French military observers say,
to mark an epoch in the six months
battle for the great fortress on the
Mouse.
The Germans appear to be less and
less capable of operating on their old
overwhelming scale and the initia-
tive, military men here think, is about
to pass to the French for good.
1t is 20 days since the Germans made
their last big attack on the right bank
o fthe Mouse, by which they obtained
small results at heavy cost On the
left bank of the Mouse nothing beyond
local actions have been attempted by
the invaders for a week.
Prepare for Fortnight
French bomb throwers for a fort
night past, in anticipation of the pres
ent offensive, had been creeping for
ward by the Vignes ravine, west of
Froide Terre, with the object of get
ting near Thiaumont work by work
ing around Hill No. 365.
The bombers first reached the Bras
Fleury road. They then separated into
two parties, one going to the eastward
toward Thiaumont work and the sec
ond pushing northward toward Va
cherauville and Pepper hill. Last week
the first party stormed a redoubt west
of Thiaumont and after a stiff fight
went beyond that position. The second