The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-04
IN z DAYS
Crown Prince Essayed Captur-
ing Fort a Walkaway.
Siege Set for April, but Janu-
airy Sunshine Started 1t.

Paris. April A.
April showers
Bring May flowers"
You know that one don't YOU ?
Well, try this one on your vocal
chords:
January's suns
Bring February's guns,'
The German crown prince first
made made the practical application
OF this truth, but the proverb is ours,
likewise the versificiation, school his
tories of 2O16 to the contrary notwith-
standing.
A close study of the battle of YER
dun proves it to have been freak of
nature, like January strawberries, or
peach blossoms in December.
The battle of Verdun was planned
for April or May, but in the German
military plans there was an unless,
which, when followed by the remain
der of the sentence read: UNLESS by
some strange atmospheric phenome-
non we get long spell of fine, dry
weather before that time"
March to Paris?
True to Teutonic traditions of pre-
paredneSs, as early as December the
Germans began bringing up materi al
for use in the attack Every available
big howitzer, including the 305's and
the 420s. was hauled to the Verdur
sector through which the crown prince
hoped to make a breach and COM
mence a march on Paris down the
historic poplar lined roads following
the banks of the Marne- Trenches
were dug, ammunition in vast quanti-
ties was stored at strategic points and
everything put in ship shape for
springing the big offensive.
Then the January sun came OUT
Rarest of all rarities in France, a mid
winter dry spell came. accompanied
by lots of spring like days and sun
shine From January 8 until past the
middle of February one would have
thought May at hand. The strange
atmospheric phenomenon" had come
to pass and the decision to let fly was
the result. According to German
prisoners they had been told on the
eve of the battle:
1.-The artillery is going to blaze the
way for you. 1t will do its work so
completely that all you will have to
do will be to march at parade step
into Verdun."
They were told, they said. the fight
ing would not amount to much and 1t
would all be over in no time
Prince Also Surprised.
Judging from what the German SOL
diers admit, the crown princes plans
must have included a swift punch and
a quick victory, with Verdun and out
living forts as a minimum in German
possession. Otherwise. experts are
agreed, probably he never would have
undertaken the Verdun attack. For,
to plan long drawn out operations IN
which artillery is the mainstay, said
operations to be largely dependent
upon the foibles of the weather. is
more stupid than foolhardy.
So it was that the January suns
brought the February guns as per the
cute little poem. Pretty weather and
daffydowndillies having had the te,
merity to intrude on the preserves OF
January and February, the crown
prince called his staff about him and
said:
Lets surprise everybody by pull
ing off our April party in FEBRUARY
hovs. "It'II take only a couple of days
or so to get to Verdun and then II II
rains, who cares?
So the big battle about Nerdun was
all because of little, nice, warm g n :
shine. which forgot it's cue and -aoe
its entrance too soon.