The state herald., 1916-06-02
FEARFUL CARNAGE MARke THE
DRIVE OF eAvARiANs IN
DEATH oRAPPlE.
kEYTovERDuN DEFENSE
IMPORTANT STRONGHOLD LOST
~ FRENCH AFTER SERIES
OF FURIOUS ATTACKS.
western Newspaper Union Nows Service.

London, May 27-Heavy fighting In
the region of verdun continues, with
the Germans still the aggressors. but,
, according to the latest French official
communication, no new changes In
positions have taken place.
The attack was a strong one, but
Paris reports that 1t was repulsed.
the Germans suffering heavy casual
ties. This was the only infantry at
tack in all the verdun region. says
Paris. but the artillery on both sides
has been extremely active on all sec
tions, a..d especially in the region OF
Avocourt and Hill 3O4.
Eighteen persons were killed and
score OF others injured in an air raid
on Bari on the Italian Adriatic coast.
Lloyds reports that the British
steamer Ell Agentino. the Italian
steamer Cornigliano and the Italian
ship Australia have been sunk.
Comparative calm prevails along
the Russian front, the only fighting
Of moment noted being north of Lake
Mad Ziol. where the Russians put
down a German attempt to capture
their trenches.
Paris. May 25.-The Germans have
re-occupied Fort Douaumont. while
the French hold the immediate ap-
proach to that position.
This announcement is made In the
official communication issued by the
French war office which says two new
divisions of Bavarians effected the re-
capture after series of furious at
tacks. The battle around verdun
continues to rage with violence un.
exampled even In this region. Tho
text Of the statement reads:
"On the left bank OF the Meuse the
infantry action continued east Of Le
Mort Homme. Several times our ar
tillery fire stopped the enemy. who
had attempted to debouch from tho
village Of Cumieres. During the af.
ternoon a spirited counter attack en-
abled US to retake trenches situated
on the southern outskirt Of the VII.
lage. On the right bank the lombard.
ment was redoubled In the region Of
Fort Douaumont. on which the enemy
had particularly set himself. Furious
attacks with two Bavarian divisions.
newly arrived on this front. succeeded
each other all day. After several
fruitless attempts and enormous
losses. the enemy succeeded In reoc-
cupying the ruins Of the fort Our
troops hold the immediate approach.
About the same time an attempt to
flank our positions In the Cailette
wood completely failed under our
fire"
Without full possession OF the line
from Pepper hill to vaux fort the Ger
mans cannot hope to ret any nearer
to the capture OF Verdun. Even II
they succeeded In taking this line
they could not hold II unless they
were also In possession OF hill No
30i. and Dead Man hill. which out.
flank the line.
Driven to desperation by seeing 20
much OF It's work undone. the German
commander hurled attack after attack
against Fort Douaumont At tho sams
time II has kept up Its onslaught on
the left bank Of tho river TO prevent
the French transferring any forces to
the main scene OF attack.
All day Tuesday the tide OF war
ebbed and flowed. inches Of grouna
being won and lost at appalling cost
In men. Again and again after reduc-
Ing trenches to n crumbling heap OF
ruins by deluge Of shells tho Ger.
man infantry dashed forward. only to
be caught and swept away BY a hur.
ricane Of curtain fire from the French
batteries ard machine guns.
The conditions OF the present war
have transformed tho traditional furi.
oas courage Of the French soldiers
into an immovable stoicism. Mea
have stood their ground In situation
which II seemed beyond human nature