The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-09

At l L. NJ. the Germans carried out an
attack which put them again in pos
session Of the southern border of Wa
vrille wood. where our zouaves. and
tiralleurs were holding out. They pushed
their advantage and overran beaumont
from the west and Posses wood from the
east.
In spite OF the energetic resistance 81
our infantry and machine gun men the
Posses wood was carried at ] 30 A. NJ.
Beaumont was contested foot b. foot.
The Chaume wood also fell into the
hands of the enemy.
From that time on the situation
grew worse. At eco m imposing en-
envy force debouched between L.ouve-
mont and Hill 347. All available French
forces tried to drive the invaders back.
The enemy had Chainbrettes. Posses
wood. Beaumont and Cauriercs wood.
lie tried a sudden dash on Ornes, which
was attacked on three sides AT once.
The garrison. in m evident state OF in
feriority. withdrew In good order. hanks
to the darkness, upon BeZonveaux
II was always the same troops which.
from February II. opposed the Germans,
defending each position. Despite the
inclemency OF the weather, the sacrifices
OF men and material, they barred tho
way to the enemy for another entire
night. Their mission was to defend the
front Bras-Douaunont. They fulfilled 1t
until the moment they were relieved by
new units, The battle continued.
Thus the divisions which had received
one Of the most formidable shocks of the
campaign distinguished themselves In
many a combat and by their ~tenacity
allowed the reserves to rctard the en-
emy's advance. They had played a COW
ering role, IA crushing yet glorious role,
which contributed beyond a doubt Ia
preserve Verdun for us. Their heroism
permitted us 10 make incessant counter
attacks, and many times they halted the
enemy, thus defeating his plans.
At the moment when the enemy COM
menced his offensive We could not employ
more forces. II would have been ar
error to proceed too quickly. The prin,
cipal virtue Of an offensive Is to leave
your adversary In doubt until the las
minute as to the real point OF attach
and as to the mean he will use in thu
conflict.
The Germans might have only beer
making a feint on Nerdun and AN at
tack en- masse on Nancy, Amiens or ca
lais. Our duty was to maintain every
where an even balance of our forces
II we had assumed too soon that thu
attack was an Verdun the enemy nigh
have succeeded In a prlncipal dow oi
some other point.
The difficulty for the high commant
in such n case IL to master its nerve
and Justly appreciate the shock to b.
withstoOd and the counter move TO b
, undertaken. II is OF importance to maxi
=. an adequate counter move when masse
/, of men have to be moved. as IN necessar.
/, An modern warfare. They must no
, be put in motion for nothing The at
lacking side. in such circumstances, al
ways profits at the beginning by two o
, three days OF relative superiority. !
: he does not or cannot turn them thor
Ougly to account his effort Is in vain.
, The defence IL then certain as to II
n decision. The influx of reserves allow
the situation to he reestablished, an
that all the more easily " the resistanc
during the first few days has been firn
This il what happened at Verdun.
We have just established that the FRS
divisions that met the shock did thei
full duty. We shall see in a furthe
g study how the troops which succeede
these divisions definitely checked In
{ herman march on Verdun.