New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-12
Corbeaux and Cum
ieres Woods Also
Cleared, Says Berlin
BATTLE LAGS
ABOUT VERDUN
French Declare Foe Ex-
hausted by Assaults
on DOuaumOnt.
IL c,N,. 10 IA rrhnrs.l

London, March ll.-With the
fighting about Verdun again sub
siding. the Germans have launched
q second offensive in Champagne.
Berlin to-day claims the capture Of
French positions over a front of
l.4OO yards and about two-thirds Of
a mile deep, near Rheims, at a point
about thirty-fve miles west Of the
recent advance.
At Verdun a lull has followed the
fierce struggle Of yesterday. Berlin
asserts that the Corbeaux and
Cumieres woods west Of the Meuse
have now been entirely cleared of the
enemy, while the French statement
admits that the village Of Vaux has
not yet been wholly recaptured. 1t
alsc says that the waning attack Is
due to the tremendous losses sus-
tanned by the Germans.
"On the left bank of the Meuse," J"
saws the Paris statement, "the ac-
tiyity Of the two artilleries was less
spirited during the course of the
day. On the right bank an intense
bombardment is being maintained in
the region west Of Douaumont. II
has not been so intense on the rest Of
the centre or in the Woevre.
"The enemy did not attempt any
infantry action along the whole Of
our front. According to the latest
reports, the fruitless assaults
launched yesterday against our
trenches west Of Douaumont were
,ery disastrous to the enemy. The
Germans attacked three times in
columns Of four, but were moved
down by our artillery fire and the
fire Of cur machine guns. They were
obliged 20 retire, leaving the ground
covered with dead bodies.
French Counter-Attacks Fail.
"To-usy, in the region Of Douau-
mont, one Of our aeroplanes brought
down q Fokker, which fell in flames
inside the Gerlcan lines"
Berlin asserts, besides the clearing
Of the Bois de Corbeaux and the Bois
&c Curnieres, the repulse Of numerous
French counter attacks. The state
ment says:
"On the western bank of the Meuse
'Yerdun region) the last positions
still held b. the French in the Bois de
Corbeaux and the Bois de Cumicres
were cleared Of enemies. Enemy coun-
ter attacks delivered with strong
forces against the southern boundary
Of these woods and against the German
positions further 70 the west broke
down under the fire Of our defence.
"On the eastern bank Of the Neuse
very lively artillery activity reigned'
especially IN the neighborhood Of Bras,
20 the west OF the village of Nsux and
of Fort Vau1 and at several points on
the Woeyre plain. with the exception
Of & local French attempt 20 deliver a
surprise attack against the village OF
Blanzee, which vas repulsed with san
culinary losses. there were no decisive
infantry engagcments
Champagne Attack a Surprise.
saxon regiments stOrmed with very
'hgnt losses strongly fortified posi-
"'ns Ia ,he wood sectors southwest
and south Of Ville-aux- Bois, eleven
miles northwest % Rheims. over II
N'lth 81 sbou. 400 yards and for "a
nfpth n about two-thlrds OF mile.
lFelye uninigred officers and 725 un-
N43fsd men fell into our hands. The
'pDty consstef Of one revolver can
~, I'VE machine guns and thirteen
".hs ihfcNeff"
mere nave been no indications thus
N thht me Germans have attempted
blpW Dp Their attack Apparently
"' de'acned move similar 90 their
@-ess'ti1l stroke in The Champagne
~rlhg me early part II the Nerdun
Nfsnnhilc the battle ~ Verdun Is
- aNinfling in Intensity. The Ger
sf nave In 10 way impaired the
sh ' oefencfs of the fortress. not
,tN''snfin2 The violence ~ their on
,,.Ehis. Whether they VIII make an
-" By effort after luil or Width
ne htiiie vii end, ~ DID the other
't 'hfnsives on ths western front,
Ti-fn - normal conditions ~
'A'h weffarf. cannot be dlscerned
''hiiDysd on Dsxe 30. column