New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-22
French Position at lie
Mort HOmme Is
Now Critical.
LINES STORMED
DURING NIGHT
Esnes and Hill 295 Shelled
by Germans-LOSSeS
Are Appalling.
lRr Cahl. % The 11hunr ]

London. March 21.-The situation
west of the Meuse is becoming in
crcasingly critical. Despite the stub
born resistance Of the Fernch, the
Germans. with battcring-ram blows,
are steadily driving forward their
hanking movement southwest OF lie
Mort Hommc.
Checked yesterday afternoon in
their first assaults on the Malan-
court-Avocourt line, they succeeded
last night in wrestling a large part
of the Avocourt Wood from its de
tenders. Paris also admits that the
village of Esnes, important as cen
tire of communications. has been
brought under the German fire.
"West Of the Meuse," says the Of
fetal Berlin statement to-day, "Ba-
vsrian regiments and battalions OF
Wurtemburg landwehr, after care
full preparations stormed the entire
strongly fortified French positions
in and near the forest northeast OF
Avocourt.
"Counter-attacks attempted by the
enemy did not bring him any ad-
vantage, but, on the contrary, IN
flicted further serious losses upon
him.
Flaming Liquids Again Used.
Several times last night says
Paris this afternoon, "the Ger
mans west Of the Meuse re-
newed their attacks against our
front. extending from Avocourt
to Malancourt, where the lombard
ment by snells Of large calibre con-
tinued without interruption. The
attacks of the enemy here were ac-
companied by the throwing of fam
ing liquid by detachments Of men
carrying special machines for this
purpose.
an spite Of the heavy losses IN
Hicted by our fire the enemy was
able to take possession, after hand
to-hand fighting, Of the southeastern
mart of Malancourt Wood, known as
tho Avocourt Wood. which we occu-
pied. All the efforts of the Ger
mans to march out of the Avocourt
Wood resulted in failure
No fresh attacks are recorded to-day
bv the Paris night official statement
but the heavy bombsrdment OF the
Malancourt line continues. wits its eX-
tension 70 Esnes and Hill 3Oi. Inc
statement says;
"On the left bank Of the Mcuse thc
bombardmcnt continued violently IN
the region Of Malancourt. on the VII
larc Of Esres and Hill 3oi. Counter
sbelling with great energy by our ar
.ucrv. the enemy made no attempt
"a attack during the course OF the day
"There was an intermittent BON
bardmcnt at several points Of the front
ea,, Of the Meusc and in the Woeyre.
$500 French Captured
Berlin also claims the capture OF
tbirtv-two officers, two Of whom were
regimentsl commanders, and 2'oOo un-
uoundcd prisoners. together with great
/ ousntities of war material.
roth French and ,German reports
urite IN declaring the battle one o.
,bc most sanruinary since the struggle
ror the ridge Of Douaumont. nc
French fully realize the larIeacnlnE
eject Of German success IN TINS see
tor. and regard for saving men mas
not handicapped their defence.
West Bank Danger Point.
/ About lie Mort Homme and protect
mo tho west bank OF the Meuse Cen
leral JoTre has thrown the greatest
n.,, ~ his reserves The cast bank
| ~ tho river. the main front OF tne
/ Vcrdun fortress, rs amply aecur'o o5
| ,hc boavy batteries with which II 1T
e,allv has been planted. As long as
the German attack WAS directed tnete
/ only enough infantry was needed TO
cover the guns.
ON the more open west bank. protected
nv hut few hills, infantry must bear
tbc main brunt of battle. For this r"a-
son the few heights like Lc Mort
! IIomme and the Cote rOic arc Of par
! ticnlar importance. They dominate
practically the whole country until The
/ high plateau IN the immediate ricinity
Of Vcrdun itself is reached Even here
there arc only three forts, as against
4 T-.i...a an nara a e0Iumu