The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
Military Observers Tell of the Sanguinary Conflict Which Took Place On the Mountain
MANY INDIVIDUAL ACTS OF BRAVERY
French Troops. Aroused By a Spirit of Revenge, Sweep All Before them-German Trenches Are Subjected to Heavy Arr
 tlilery Fire

Paris. April 4.--Q1;So a. m.l--A vivid de- scription of the capture by the French of the summit of Hartma pns- N eilerkopf, a peak of the 'vosges mountains a few miles north Of Thann. is given in an official war office communication today. The occupation of the height was an- nounced March T. The final phases of the struggle for this important strategic po- thus pictured by the French military oh- server:
 "A small number of soldiers who reached the summit early in January and established a position in small fort, were forced to surrender on account of starvation, notwithstanding many con tinued efforts of their comrades to suc- cor them.
 Eager For Attack
 "Al tho troops were now aroused by a spirit of revenge and were only too eager for the attack. During the remain der of January and February siege op- erations were carried out and on March D an assault was made. The German trenches were subjected to heavy ar tilcry fire and our men captured the strongest German bloclShouses and d portion of the first line of trenches The enemy made four vigorous counter att tacks on March and two on the morn ings of March and ', but was repulsed by our fire
 On March [ we attacked again, but on March 2S the greatest effort was mado under cover of tremendous cross fire from ouf black mouth cannon of all calibre, including many rapid tirers. Trees could he seen falling, and also portions of Ger man bodies flying high in the air. our infantry with 8 bound made d heroic charge. pouring like a living stream into the two lines of trenches under Il wall of fire
 Fortify Trenches
 The work of fortifylng the conquered LtIenches was begun and violent German counter attaci1s were not sufficient to drive out our men, who continued to look forward to the other lines of German fortiications, confident of an ultimate victory
 "The night of March 25 passed with out counter attacks and the morning dawned without the usual fog, allowing q splendid opportunity for our artillery. The artillery and infantry surrounding
 
 final assault, which had been planned and awaited for three months
 "Observers reported at least three lines of Herman Qualifications and re- doubts between our position and the summit. A general hombardment was begun by our artillery of all calibers at 1C:30 o'clock, continuing until 2:30 ana sweeping everything before it. Large pine trees were sawed off. disclosing con cealed German batteries and fortifiea- tions. The ground was strewn with por- tions of the bodies of dismembered sol- diers
 Al 2:35 o'clock, with tremendous rush charging the enemy's positions and sweeping all before them. They reached the summit shortly after. On the high est point, despite the continuous rain of shot and shell, one of our infantry men waved the flag triumphantly, sig mailing to the artillery that the position was ours and now to direct tho ire to tue eastern slope. The Germans, utterly put to rout, dropped their arms in flight We captured what remained of one com pany-S0 men.
 The note says that during the attacks of March "A and 26 more than 400 prison CTS were taken. The number of French soldiers killed IS not known.
 "Our success was pushed over the crest and our trenches were established on the farther slope giving us the whole Ger man observatory" tho French observer says.
 Many acts of individual bravery are reported. Among these is the exploit of soldier named Domulin. wlio alone in German trench entered into a hand to hand combat with a soldier who was maneuvering q quick-hrer, which had stopped our attack The quick-firer was silenced. Our troops reached the trench. capturing many occupants.'