New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-13
GUNS POUNDING
AT VERDUN LINE
Infantry Attacks Cease, to
Prepare for New
Assault.
LIQUID FIRE
AGAIN USED
Germans Take British Trenches
Near Ypres, but Are
Driven Out.

London. April 12.-With IN assault
delivered this morning against the
French positions in the Caurettes
Wood, between lie Mort Homme and
Cumieres, the German supreme effort
seems to have spent itself. There has
been heavy artillery fire since. both
east and west Of the Meuse, but no in
fantry advances.
From the grand attack Of Sunday the
German objective has narrowed until
now the attack IS aimed merely at
ravine south Of lie Mort Homme. Its
possession, it is true. would threaten
the French hold on the hill.
This mornings attack, like those OF
yesterday. was launched at this ravine.
Again flaming liquids we're used, but
without effect. Finally. in desperation,
the Germans charged across an open
field exposed TO the full fire OF the
French artillery. When the remnants
Of those regiments crawled back 70
their trenches action ended for the
day.
Expect kenewai OF Assault
Paris fully expects the reopening OF
the attack within q few hours. Tho
German troops have passed the last
point Of human endurance, and rest
and reftting is necessary. There are,
also. the dead q be buried, and the
great masses Of wounded to be shipped
back TO Germany.
If the renewal Of the assault does
come the Germans can expect no re-
firing battles with the French. Gen.
eral Petain has given his last inch OF
ground The Nerdun defenders have
been ordered, as Joifre ordered his ar,
mics at the Marine, to stand firm and
die rather than yield.
Attacks feeling out the British posi-
tions about Ypres we're made by the
Germans last night. Although they
were on 6 small scale and resulted IN
the temporary loss Of an advanced
British ire .ch. observers believe that
they may be preparatory. of the trans
fer Of the grand assault from Nerduh'
May Drive on British.
During the early stages of the battle
around the fortress the French General
staff believed 10 q feint 20 cover an as
sau't AT a more favorable point on the
line. Both French and British reserves
were held back with this expectation.
When the Germans finally showed their
hand In the extreme desperation OF the
Vertun attack, these troops were moved
elsewhere.
Berlin reports the repulse Of French
counter-attacks at Avocourt and at the
Cote du Poivre, east of the Meuse. Inc
official statement says:
"To the west of the Meuse the French
vainly attacked our lines northeast OF
Avocourt. In other directions they lin
tied their efforts 10 very lively ar
tillery FIRE.
"On the eastern bank of the Meuse
three countor-attackes on the Polvre
ridge, prepared by very lively hre'
caused the enemy severe losses with
out advantage. On two occasions the
storming troops were unable to pene-
trate the region covered by our cur
tain Of fire. The third assault broke
down completely before our entangle-
ments, as the result OF machine-gun
fire.
an Caillette Wood, In spite Of the
stubborn defence. we gained some
ground at one or two places
LIQUID Fire Without Effect.
Paris's account Of this mornings de-
velopments says:
ION the left bank OF the River Meuse
+ the Germans this morning delivered
an attack on our positions at the
Guarcttes Wood, between lie Mort
+ Homme and Cumieres, in which they
made use Of flaming liquids. They
were everywhere repulsed.
"On the right bank Of the river there
has been great artillery activity be
tween Douaumont and Naux, but last
night saw no resumption of the intan-
try fighting at this point.
at has been confirmed that the very
violent offensive action yesterday af-
ternoon at o'clock IN this sector,
which was repulsed by US, cost the en-
envy heavy losses
The night statement said:
"Wcst Of the Meuse there was VIC
/ lent and continuous bombardment az
! Hill 304. in the region of Esnes and lie
Mort Homme.
"Fast Of the Meuso and in the
7 Wocvrc the activity of the artillery
was less marked and no infantry action
occurred during the day.
Between the Somme and the Disc
our fire shattered trenches west of
Parvillers, in the region Of Roye
Gin the Argonne we exploded four
carnouacts at La File Morte, Haute
4 Chcvauchee and Vauquois. After
grenade fighting we occupied the south
ern edges Of the two craters in front
Of our trenches In the sector of Les
Courtcs Chsussees."
Regarding the attacks at Ypres the
British War Office reports:
"Thc enemy last evening made three
successive attacks west Of the Pilkelm-
Ypres road Tie first gained footing
| iu our trenches. but was quickly driven
out. Other attacks were rcpulsed. the
Germans leaving about twenty-five
. dead M front OF our trenches and three
| prisoners in our hands We bOmbarded
/ enemy trenches in this area today"