The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-12
SUCCESS. SAYS BERLIN.
More Ground Gained and More
Prisoners Taken, Ia the Claim.

BERLIN. via London. April 11.--There
was heavy fighting on both sides of the
Meuse in the Verdun region yesterday.
i'"'n"h counter attacks on the Haucourt-
Betnn. front were repulsed with
severe loss to tne i.v..h.
Further German successes south OF
the Corbeaux wood netted 222 more
prisoners. and counter attacks attempted
by the French from Chat,ancourt were
stopped by the fanking fire Of German
artillery on the east bank OF the river.
To the east of the Meuse French at.
tempts to retake positions lost on the
Cote du Poivre failed and the German
forces made further advances south
east of Fort Douaumont.
This was the official bulletin:
In the ArEonne. near La File
Morte. and further TO the east, near
Nauquois, the French, who caused
several mine explosions. succeeded
"ni! IN nficting damage on them
selves.
Fighting proceeded with great yigor
throughout the whole Of yesterday in
ihe regions on both sides of the Meuse.
counter attacks by the French against
me positions We captured south Of
Forges rlvulet, between Haucourt and
BctnlnCourt. broke down with seyers
loss to the enemy.
The number of unWounded prisoners
taken here was increased from 90 OFF,
rtiS and ais men TO SO officers and
l.-"l men, and the booty captured two
cannon and twenty-five machine glins.
One machine gun and 222 prisoners
wer" brought in as the result of
further captures Among the block
houses south OF Ravens Forest Cor
bcauN Wood)
Counter attacks from the direction OF
fhattancourt Were checked by our
Elective iianking fire from the eastern
bank.
ON the right bank OF the Meuse the
sn"nS attempted in vain Ia recipture
IN" ground lost on the southwestern
edge OF roivrc Ridge
Southwest OF Fo!t Douaumont the
enemy WAS compelled to relinauish
further defensive positions. from which
"" brought back some few dozen
prisoners and three machine guns.
Two enemy aeroplanes were brought
down southeast of Ypres Dy anti-air-
craft guns
The Overseas News Agency issued a
statement to-day announcing that more
than $4,000 French have been taken
prisoners IN the NerduE campaign since
its beginning on February 81 Twenty
five square kilometers of ground have
been occupied west Of the Meuse.
The statement continues:
German newspapers point out that
the French now say Bethincourt was
evacuated In aCCordauc. with plans pre-
viously made. Nevertheless IL has been
ascertained that an order WAS issued
stating This important place must be
held IN all circumstances The fact
that more than 200 unwounded French
prisoners were taken. and that the
French losses in hilled or wounded We're
far greater, Is proof that the French
plan Of evacuation could not he carried
out as intended.
According 20 the French reports, the
new line runs from the southern corner
of Avocourt Wood along the first slopes
of lin 3oA; thence along the southern
bank of Forges Brook, passing TO the
northeast of Haucourt turning east
ward, Crosses the Bethincourt- -Esnes
road at point south of the junction of
that road with the highway TO Chattan-
court, and reaches the Meuse Just north
OF cumiercs. The fortifcations OF the
village of Avocourt. which Is south OF
Avocourt Wood. were destroyed by the
German advance OF April y, as reported"