New Britain herald., 1919-10-23
KING 0F SPAIN ON HISTORIC GROUNDS
TrodS Verdun Fields and Hears
 History Of War

and tragic battlefield of Verdun, King AlfonHO of Spain walked today with Marshal Petain, the chief defender or the citadel during the tremendous struggle that was fought in February and March, 1916.
 Along roads lined on either hand by thousands of white crosses mark ing the last resting place of warriors who fell during the battle, and thoso Subterranean paSsa gewayS where the defenders were marShalled prepara- tory to counter attacking the foe, tho king walked, and as he went he piled his distinguished guide with queS- tions.
 Met By Marshal Petain.
 Upon his arrival at Verdun, King Alfonzo was met by Marshal Petain whom he greeted affectionately and congratulated. He then turned and saluted the French general headquar- ters officers who made up the mar shaPs party and reviewed the 132d Regiment of Infantry, all Moroccans who made a fine appearance. The
 king at once proceeded to the mili- tary cemetery where he deposited wreath of orchids tied with wide rib bons forming the Spanish colors, up- on which was printed a tribute from the royal visitor.
 The party then turned to the bat lefield, reaching Fort Douaumont at 10 o'clock. Great interest in the fort was evidenced by the king. Over No Mans Land. The king and Marshal Petain walked out over what was once No Mans Land and which now shows no sign of life. Upon reaching Fort VauX, Marshal Petain with a large staff map explained to the Spanish sovereign the general aspect of the whole Verdun region. The party l then returned to Verdun shortly be- fore noon.
 France was not surprised by the German offensive against Verdun. l Marshal Petain told the king. The | latter expressed surprise. as it has been generally believed the Germans l launched their attack almost without l warning.
 We knew of the enemy's plan,' | said the marshal in describing the battle. Ut was a defensive battle at ! first, the fight comm encing at z o'clock on the evening of February 21, after violent artillery preparation. "SiX weeks before." he continued, l i've had received our first informa- | tiOn from learning of the ConStruc- ton of a formidable system of rail- roads leading to Vcrdun. There were If tracks formed into a network that stretched cut from the German bases toward our lines. We had only one road over which to move supplies and munitions.
 Proof Of His Statements. "As proof that we were not sur prised, I may say we sent for the goth l Corps, which reached Verdun on l February 25. It did not fall from ] heaven However, the fact remains l that when the battle of Verdun be- 1 gan we had on the right bank of the l Mouse only two divisions opposing l five German army corps. These two l divisions held their positions for five l days.
 "February 25 was the most critical l day of the battle. The enemy, by ! sacriticing without counting, his best 1 troops, had succeeded in Capturin q l Fort DouaumOnt the day before and | the situation was grave. On Febru- 1 ary 25 the troops which had been
 occupying the Woevre sector (to the east of Verdun) were ordered to fall J back to the heights of the Mouse. The order was criticized then, but it's wis
 dom was later recognized.
 ! "Since I had received an order
 from great headquarters 10 establis
 contact with Gen. Castelnu's division
 which had been defending Fort Doua-
 umont and was now falling back on
 Verdun, I met Gen. Castelnau at
 Souilly. All he said was:
 Take Command of Army.
 Take command of the army 1 Thus on the evening of February 26 l I assumed command of the army be- l fore Verdun. l distributed the com
 mands among Generals Gllillaumat
 Duchesne and De Balfourier, and or
 dered that not another inch of ground
 be given up and that the defenders
 should reply to every attack by a
 counter offensive.
 , During the eight days that fol lowed, the village of Douaum ont
 changed hands ten times, but the , Germans held the fort.
 'fAt last on March f. the village
 was definitely ours, and on March G. , when the Germans attacked on the l left bank of the Mouse, I was ready , l to receive them. It had always ap- ] peared strange to me that an attacl, , l had not been launched on the left bank of the river, and everything was , l prepared in view of such an assault It was because the enemy deferred
 that attack too long that we were , able to restore the situation. Tha : delay saved us.
 Then came the gigantic struggl. , for Hill BOA and Dead Mans Hill. I was then I issued my order of tn, ! l day:
 ' "'Courage, we will get them.'" } Marshal Pctain then told the stor,
 i of Gen. Mangins offensive on Ma