Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-03-16
German Regiments Cut to
Pieces in Attempt to
Take Positions
BRUTAL HAMMERING
Former Chief of French War Coun.
Gil Says Kaiser's Forces Cannot
Succeed in the West

London, March 16.--A murderou
fire from French 75's on Dead MAJ
Hill cut to pieces two German regi
ments who attempted to circle Beth
incourt and halted the German often
sive west of the heuse, according t.
Paris dispatches.
The Germans lost more than 2,00t
in an engagement lasting only few
hours. French bayonet attacks drove
the remnants Of the attacking fore
es back to their trenches.
The latest dispatches from Paris re-
port lull in the infantry fighting in
the Bethincourt region, but announce
that the French have been the asgres-
sors in a series of hot skirmishes
around Vaux village and Fort Vaux,
east of the Meusc.
Paris, March l6.-Genera de Ia
Croix, former chief of the French
War Council, said yesterday.
"The battle of Ferdun has turned
favorable for our arms. We can conf
IDENTIFY await the issue of the gigan-
tic struggle.
"The third phase Of the battle
seems to have begun. In the first
phase, we had to give ground ainfict-
ing the maximum losses possible as
we retreated, till We came to Douau-
mont, where we have held on, preven-
ting any further German advance.
"The second phase, fought during
the first 10 days of March, consisted
of local attacks on positions on the
Paris side of the Meuse. 1t led to no
decisi result and proved ruinous to
the Germans.
"Up to now the Verdun attack has
been sheer brutal hammering, with.
out trace of sklHul maneuvering,
the logical result of which has
been a massacre Of Germans.
THE only attack that could possi-
bly, give the Germans Verdun would
be from the Paris side Of the Aeuse
as anyone can see from map.
Eve are going TO have further
stern actions here, but my opinitn is
that the Germans cannot succeed. We
have ample means for replying to
them, and when their hour strikes the
Allies will be- able to begin giving
freedom to their offensive
The communication issued by the
War Office last night says:
"In Champagne an attack launch
ed by US on the German positions
south of St. Souplet enabled US to
occupy an enemy trench and take
some prisoners.
"West of the Meuse the lombard
ment percepsibly' slacssaed during
the course of the day on :ae Bethin'
! court Cumieres front, where no in
fantry action was reported:
'"On the right bank there has beer
considerable activity in the region OF
vaux and Damloup. Skirmishes with
grenades have been fought by our ad.
vansed groups on the slopes east OF
! Fort Vaux.
"In the Woevre the villages at the
foot of the Msuss Hills, have beer
| bombarded." :: ="
Berlin, March 16.-Impbrtant gains
for the Germans in the Verdun fight.
| ing west of the Meuse were announc.
! ed yesterday by the War Office. y
! is said the Germans pushed forward
their lines west Of Corteaux uooe
and on the height OF lie Mort HON
me, capturing more than 1000 pris
! oners. The statement follows:
! son .e left bank Of the Meus'
T! fverdun 'front.' silesian troops, witt
a strong swinging onslaught push
led forward their lines in the resiol
west Of Sorbeaux wood on the heights
| of Le Mort Hon,me- twenty-five OH
GERS aud moro than 1000 unvoond
ed mea ver. captured. 4 couHter
astsek, four times repeated, gave th'
French .na success wi,stsae"er. The.
suffered very eonsidessbe- losses.
:..on. the right bank 81 the: Meus'
saad on the eastern s1efes 81 U,
hills artillery on both sides kept u