New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-23
lie Mort HOmme Lines
and Hill 287Re-Won,
Says Paris.
TEUTONS' LOSS
PUT AT 100000
Berlin Claims That Foe
Was Repulsed at
Hill 304.

London, May 22.-The French
have penetrated Fort Douaumont. In
a furious counter attack to-day
northeast Of Verdun they stormed
German positions along a front of a
mile and a quarter and carried the
trlcolor into the stronghold which
the enemy has held since February
25, four days after the assaults on
Verdun began.
A few German soldiers still cling
to the northern rim Of the fortress,
but the opening made at such terri
bic cost already has been closed.
The final thunderbolt which the
Germans sought TO launch against
Verdun has recoiled on themselves.
From their offensive, the greatest
ever undertaken in history, the PEN
dulum of battle has swung back, un-
til tonight they stand on the de-
fensive on practically the whole line
about the fortress.
The French recaptured the fort,
lines at lie Mort Homme, positions
at Hill 2S7, north Of Hill 304, held
by the Germans since May 1S, and
on the heights of the Meuse in the
Bouchet wood three hundred metres
of trenches. In the Ayocourt wood
fresh gains have been made.
Berlin offsets these statements with
and quarter miles on the British
front at Giyenchy. These, it is as
serted, were held against all counter
attacks.
To the French claims of advances at
lie Mort Homme and at Vaux Berlin
interposes a blanket denial. The Ger
man positions are declared TO have
been maintained against repeated at
tacks and with terrific costs TO the
enemy. Only in the quarries at
Haudremont does Berlin admit
French success.
100000 Germans Sacrificed.
No less than 100000 men are be-
lieyed TO have been sacrificed by the
Germans in their assaults on lie Mort
Homme and Hill 304 Division after
division has been thrown forward into
the pitiless nav of the French guns
without buying a foot's advance with
their blood.
No more ghastly scenes have ever
been presented than the slopes Of Le
Mort Homme under the green balloon
lights by which the Germans do their
night fighting. only charred sticks re-
main of trees. The earth, beaten 10
powder under the relentless hammer
ing, has the black, burned-out look OF
a foundrys moulding sand
Over this smoking heap OF Stag are
sprinkied the dead. They are literally
shredded over the ground, chopped and
battered into thousands OF torn frsg-
ments By the merciless, uncessing rain
of shells. Many Of them we're slain by
their own guns. for in that no-man's
land on the slopes Of lie Mort Homme
artillery could not discriminate be-
tween friend and foe.
French Statements
The French Official Communication To-
night says:
ION the left bank OF the Meuse We
continued to r axe progress during the
day south Of Hill 2s7, and forced the
enemy TO eyacuate a small work which
he had held since May l5.
"In the region west OF ell Mort
Homme our counter attacks enabled US
TO drive the enemy from some new
trench elements occupied by him.
"On the right bank Of the Meuss.
after a powerful artillery preparation.
our infantry stormed German positions
along a front OF about two kilometreS
extending from the region west OF the
Thiaumont Farm 70 east Of Fort Douau-
mont. On the entire front Of the attack
our troops captured German trenches
and penetrated Fort D9usumont, the
northern part Of which the enemy stili
holds. Numerous prisoners remained
in our hands.
Gains on Meuse Heights.
"on the heights OF the Meuse in the
Bouchet Wood a successful surprise at
tack enabled US TO clear enemy trenches
along an extent OF 800 metres and -
make prisoners.
"Thi- morning on, OF our aeroplsnes
dispatched in pursuit OF German ma
chine which had approached Danlirs