The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-12
German Using Liquid Fire
Gain Temporary Foothold
Only to Be Driven Back
ORGANIZATIONS
| OF GERMANS DECIMATED
World Has Never Before Seen
Such Flood Of Cannon Fire
Az 10 Being Used in Life and
Death Struggle

Paris. April 1i~-Ine amazing
hattie on the left banks of the
Mouse continues unabated. The
heroic French resistance Is still
nnbrokcn and the Germans at.
tempts upon Deadman Hin and
Hin No. 304 are noss almost des-
pernte I'm their violence.
The infantry fighting has also
spread to the opposite hanks of
the river and French and Ger
mans are locked I'm titanic stTug-
gle between Douaumont and
Naux. Late this afternoon the
Germans succeeded at great cost
in gaining footing In some oT
the French advance trenches.
They were Immediately elected,
however. by n counter attack.
leaving more than 100 prisoners
IN the hands of the French.
1t is in the Mort Homme region.
however. that the greatest struggle OF
he Nerdun campaign is In progress
/ towards the end Of the day the in
PANTRY for the moment gave way to
he artillery and terrific bomb bard
|nent Of The French positions Is now
"a progress, apparently in preparation
or another attack.
Ayosuurt Line Unbroken.
lection of approximately 500 yards.
he French line from the Mouse to
|svocourt remains unbroken. despite
The utmost efforts Of four German d.
|leions $50, goo menl The Germans
|nade this advance by the aid of
tremendous artillery fire and hun
|ireds of Jets Of flaming liquid, which
burned and suffocated the defenders
fhe Germans. behind cover OF the
blazing steams of chemicals, ad-
danced from the southern fringe of
|'orbeaux woods They were able to
hin a footfaotTf In some trenches on
| he extranre eastern section of the
Mort Homme (Desdnan) position.
The Germans again called their
hemicals into play in the Douaumont
lighting, a tornado OF tear producing
thelis being directed against the
French Here their gain was only
A Transcendant Effort
The fighting around Deadman 10
The transcendent effort OF the Ger
hams on this front. however. From
livery available side, west north and
hast. frantic efforts with the large
FORCES. including the best troops OF
|he German army, are being obsti-
kately made TO capture either by
frontal attack or by flank movements
both OF these hills,
But the defenders are still holding
Iut with great stuhborness. The
earest point TO either height which
he Germans have reached Ia Hin No.
|Sh, hut this crest is Immediately at
)ie foot of Deadman Hill, which Ia
100 feet higher and where the French
.,rces with unconauerabie resistance
ar the way.
The extraordinary doggedness with
! hitch the defenders Withstand all at
|,cks is the amaxement OF the attack
IL forces Thanks 10 the uhexampied
|ndurance of his troops. the French
pmmander is able To pursue steadily
Is nlan. WHICH is, while holding his
round and Welding Only inch by inch
{hen absolutely necessary, at the
anne time TO husband his strength
men 20 the utmost and to keep as
owerful reserves as possible fresh for
ter operations.
Meanwhile the Germans are throw
N their best forces into the fight. re-
aYdIess OF the cost BY now they
ave brought up something like
,,rty-three divisions (6s0.000 men).
losses Staggering.
single instance snoWs WUat tNc
erman losses before verdun must
> The Third Battalion of Brandon
,,rg chasseurs. numbering 1900 men.
b to date has lost 1.0TS. The total
kcludes twenty officers.
The Sixtietf1 and Nineteenth Regi-
ents lost 60 per cent OF their
rength before vaux. Tho Thirteenth
ompany OF the latter regiment was
kerally annihilated The Eleventh
vision In It's attack on Avocourt
Food lost half its strength.
Owing to the heavy losses between
ehruary and April. eighty battalions
. reported to have been withdra wn
lr achievements
The main fighting before verdun,
hich on the opening day Of the latest
Id greatest offensive. Sunday. was in
ated over front OF thirteen miles. has
hy developed into a terrific clash
two bloody miles. The object Is
now famous Deadman Hill. which
srs the way OF the Germans to a. fur
or advance west OF the Meuse. The
ermans hold trenches. at the foot of
. main hill In this region. apparently
|hi]e the French are in possession OF
q slopes and summit.
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