The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-06
GERMAN DRIVES
AT D0uAUM0NT
VAUXL LINE FAIL
Attacks Cease North of Ver-
dlln-French Gain in
Caillettc Wood.
OPEN FORMATIONS
USED BY TEUTONS
Special Gable Despatch 10 TBE SuS.

PARIS, April 1.-The German attempt
to break through the French defences
on the Douaumont- -vaux lire. northeast
Of Verdun. has failed for the time being
at least, II II has not been abandoned.
Following the failure OF the energetic
attack on the French positions south Of
the village Of Douaumont yesterday af-
ternoon and the progress gained by the
French counter attacks north OF the
Caillette wood. a little to The east the
Germans In this sector made no effort
to continue the offensive they had un-
dertaken In the afternoon.
Taking advantage Of this lull on the
Douaumont front the French continued
their attacks north OF the Caillette wood.
This wood lies directly south Of Fort
Douaumont. and the Hardaumont wood,
upon which the Germans at this point
are being gradually driven.
There was no infantry activity in the
verdun region to-day. although Inter-
mittent artillery hghting continued In the
Douaumont-Vaux sector.
CanuonadiaG On Douau mont Line.
The official communicate issued by the
French War ONCE tonight says:
In Belgium a destructive fire against
the enemy trenches in front of Steen-
straete gave good results.
North OF the Aisne our artillery
was active between the Bois BeaumaraIs
and Berry -au-Bac.
In the Argonne our artillery con-
tta ,t,o ft..s. nf fNA ha
lines and routes OF communication OF
the enemy front. notably In the region
OF Montfaucon and the Bois de Malan-
court
West OF the Meuse the day was
calm. To the east OF the river there
was intermittent cannonadinc in the
Douaumont-N Naux sector. There was
no infantry action ON the whole OF OUT
front In the region OF Verdun
The Official communicate issued this
afternoon tells Of German activity on
the eastern part Of the line in Lorraine
and the vosges.
French Explode German Nines.
follows:
In the Argonne there has been a
combat with hand grenades IN the
sector between Bolante and La File
Mort We caused the explosion Of
| two mines. which damaged an enemy
! trench.
West OF the Meuse last night passed
| with relative calm. Fast OF the river
We took part In several engage
ments. during the course OF which ".
made progress in the connecting
| trench north OF Caillette wood.
In the Woevre there has been an
| nj n rn ha
| between Moulainville and Chatiilon.
! The Germans threw twenty-five mines
into the Meuse north OF ST Mihiel
| They hoated down and were exploded
by us without causing any damage.
In Lorraine the Germans. after
violent bombardment of our positions
between Arracourt and ST. Martin.
| delivered several small infantry at
| tacks against various points in this
sector. The enemy was every where
thrown back by our machine guns
and the fire Of our artillery.
| In the Nosges reconnaissance In
force on the part OF the enemy who
were endeavoring To reach our
trenches to the southeast OF Celles
was easily dispersed.
Particular mention is made by CORE
spondents ut the front of a change IL
German tactics, az shown In the recent
! attacks on the front east or the Me- use
This change in formation, obviously In,
tended to decrease their losses. is inter.
preted by French military critics as in
dicating that the losses suffered by tn.
attacking German forces In the previou.
massed attacks were very heavy.
In the assault south OF DOuaumon
village yesterday afternoon the German
formation consisted OF three thin lines
In unusually open order. behind which
were small supporting columns in clos,
order.