Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-15
THIRD STAGE OF BATTLE
is REPORTED UNDER WAY
Fighting for Possession of Dead
Mans Hill Results in Heavy
Teutonic Losses.
1860 FRENCH ARE PRISONERS
Berlin Report Claims Substantial
German Successes in Engage
ments West of the
River Meuse.

LONDON, March I5.-The
| French have turned to the ae-
gressive in the desperate strug-
gle now III progress northwest OF
| y erdun. and have recaptured 4
part OF the ground gained by the
Germans in the renewal OF their
drive west OF the Meuse. Paris
announces today
yesterday, in a three-and-one-
hali-hour battle, the crown
princes armies. by delivering
| massed attacks, succeeded in
gaining a footing in the French
lines at two points between
! Bethincourt and Dead Mans hill,
the dominating height which is
the immediate object OF the pres
ent German drive.
! French Infantry Attacks.
! Last night the French launched heavy
counter attacks and by using the bayonet
and hand grenades freely were able to
recapture portions of the trenches the
Germans had taken.
The German made heavy sacrifices in
attempting to cut the French line and
obtain possession of Dead Mans hill.
Paris advices declare. Possession of this
height has enabled the French to sweep
with their artillery the territory over
which the Germans were endea voring to
advance against the fortress.
/ 1t is still in French hands. however
! the French war Office announces, although
the German line has advanced southwark
until it now takes in nearly the whole of
Cumieres wood to the east Of the height
| Berlin Disputes French Claim
/ The official Berlin report on the gain
made by the Germans west of the
Meuse describes it as taking place
! west OF the Corbeaux wood and on
the height of lie Mort Homme (The
| Dead Mon). This comedies with the
| French versiontiof the fighting as to
| the sector in which the Germans made
| their advance.
| Berlin declares. however. that the
French counter attack. although re-
J peated four times. failed to result in
| losses of the assaulting forces were
heavy. The Germans took 1923 pris.
oners in this action.
Third Phase of Battle.
| PARIS. March Is. 2:3o p.m.-The re-
uewai of the fighting west of the
! Meuse. after three days pause. is re-
garded heralding the opening of the
third phase of the battle for Verdun
| The defenders have profited by the pc
riod of relative inaction to strengthen
| further the weak joints in their armor
and they await events with full conf
] dence
! Vow ! know where I stand. am
certain of final success" said Gen. Pc
| tain. who is in charge of the French
! operations at Verdun. to Messrs I.au-
| raine and Pate. members Of the cham
| ber Of DEPUTIES. who have returned to
+! Paris from inspection Of the supply
arrangements at the fortress. and who
! declare themselves edited by all thew
!
Lull in German Offensive.
The Germans last night. after day
OF hard fighting. made no further aE-
| gressive movement to the west of the
! Meuse. according to announcement
made this afternoon by the French
war office.
| French counter attacks between
! Bethincourt and Cumieres resulted in
the reoccupation of certain trenches
! captured by the Germans yesterday
! French troops still hold The height of
| Mort Homme.
| The artillery exchanges have been
| active between Bethincourl and Gu
mieres. but elsewhere the night passed
| with relative quiet
| The FIRST appearance of the German
| infantry yesterday after the usual in
| tense, bombardment occurred at
| o'clock in the afternoon, and the fight
ling lasted for three and one-haIf hours
They attacked along the whole line
from Bethlncourt to the crest of, Gu
mieres. distance of about four miles
! Guns Do Fearful Execution.
| The heaviest fighting was around
! Dead Man hill, the Germans debouch-
ing in masses from Corbeaux and other
| smaller woods TO the west. lTbey-were
| obliged to cross open ground, and
| well directed fire from the French did
| fearful execution among them. Their
| ranks quickly hlled up, however. and
although they were stopped again, they
ended by getting footingtin in advanced
| French trenches at two points.
Dead Man hill. which is now being con-
| tended for. is a fine artillery position, and
| nothing more, the military critics say, for
| II Is not joined TO anything 1t 10 a
plateau whose base n limited on its four