Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-23
EPIC OF VERDUN
TOLD BY PETA|N
Hero VividIy Describes to King
Alfonso How French Valor
BaffIed Germany
SOME UNWRlTTEN HISTORY

Verdun, Oct. 2s.-During King AL
fonso's visit yesterday to this historic
place. Marshal Petain, the chief de-
fender of the citadel, wildly described
to the Spanish sovereign the tremendous
struggle fought in February and March,
1916
After depositing in the military Gem
etery wreath Of orchids tied win RID
bons forming the Spanish colors upon
which was painted tribute from th'
royal visitor, the latter ana ms as
tinguished guide turned to the battle
field. They reached Fort Douaumont
nj 10 o'clock. Great interest in the
fort was evidenced by King Alfonso,
vho asked to be shown the underground
nassages leading to the outer redouotS.
When he and the marshal emerged from
the deep shelters they were both stained
with mud.
France was not surprised by the
German offensive against Ncrdun' Mar
shal Petain told the king during thelr
walk over the field; Ihe iattGr 'S
pressed surprise at this information, as
II has been generally believed the Ger
mans attacked almost without warming:
s'We knew of the cnemy's plan, SAID
fhe marshal "Six weeks before, we
had received our first information from
learning of the construction OF for
midable system of railroads leading to
Verdun.
Two Divisions Hold Five Corps
"As rroof that we were not sur
prised I may say we sent for the
Twentieth Corps, which reached Ncrdun
February %. 1t did not fall from
heaven. However. the fact remains that
when the battle of Nerdun began we
had on the right bank of the Meuse
only two divisions opposing five Ger
man army corps. These two divisions
held their positions for five days.
"February % was the most critical
day of the battle. The enemy, by sac
rifcing his best troops, had succeeded
in capturing Fort Douaumont the day
before and the situation was grave.
\ On February % the troops which had
been occupying the Woevre sector Ito
the east of Verdun) were ordered to
fall back to the heights of the Meuse.
The order was criticized then, but its
wisdom was later recognized.
Takes Command of Army
"Since had received an order from
great headquarters to establish con
fact with General Castelnau' division
which had been defending Fort Douau-
mont and now was falling back on Yer
dun, I met General Castelnau at
Souilly. All he said was: Take com
mand of the army. Thus on the eve
ming of February 26 | assumed com
mand. distributed the commands
among Generals Guillaumat. Duchcsne
and De Balfourier; ordered that not
another inch of ground be given up
and that the defenders should reply TO
every attack by counter offensive.
During the eight days that followed, :,
the village Of Douaumont changed
hands ten times, but the Germans held
the fort.
Alfonso, "why during those hours we
knew nothing of what was going on
here"
Douaumont and Dead Mans Hill
! "At last on March A." Marshal Pc
tain resumed. 'the village was definite
Il 1y ours, and on March 6 when the
German attacked on the left bank OF
the Meuse | was ready-to receive them.
1t had always appeared strange to me
that an attack had not been launched
on the left bank of the river and every
thing was prepared in view of such an
assault. 1t was because the enemy de-
ferred that attack too long that we
were able to restore the situation. That
delay saved us.
"Then came the gigantic struggle for
Hill 304 and Dead Mans Hill. 1t was
then l issued my order of the day
NJ,urage, we will get them
Marshal Petain then told the story
Of General Mangin's offensive on May
%, by which Douaumont village was
stormed, adding that the Germans put
five new divisions into the line during
the preceding fifteen days and from
May % to June 29 hurled eight other
divisions in to the fight, only to gait
but 800 yards.
''The enemy after this fighting wa
shouting victory " said the marsha
disdainfully.
General Mangin's offensive on Octo
Der 26, when Fort Douarmont was re
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