New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-25
French Driven Out in
Fierce Hand-to-hand
Fight.
CIIMlERES LOST,
PARIS ADMITS
Germans Pay Heavy TOLL
but Morale Still
Unbroken.
"A, cssl. To IN. Tnoun,

:. aroin in German hands. Once
n,ors Germany's might has been
sooonstrated-as in the first days
of the attack-by the recapture OF
tbe nosition described as the front
door" of Verdun. The stronghold
mas taken despite all the efforts and
the most desperate valor Of its de-
tonight. inside the sill of the
door a heavy Teuton foot is again
n,orted. The wedge is held by what
rsmains of two divisions of Bavar-
iars. Foot by foot, all last night
and to-day, they fought their way
bsct into the ruins Of the old tort
after four months of tremendous ef-
forts. General NivelPs brilliant fea'
Of Yesterday was not to deprive the
Kaiser of his one substantial gam at
Verdun.
Although German troops were
worn out bv the battle which has
hoor IN progress increasingly since
last Friday. Douaumont had to De
retalrn. It had to be recaptured at
arv cost. Fresh Bavarian divisions
which had been brought up for ac-
tion at lie Mort Homme were quickly
transferred across the river and to
them was assigned the task
Like Scene at GallipOli.
Not since the battles Of the Anzac
,.ron at Gallipoli has there been such
struggle. The French, who had
crsnt down from the plateau above the
dsv before. held the fort only with
rrenades. Their rifles they had lett
behind
The day was sweltering hot. The
thermometer stood at ninety. "ha1
little herbage the guns had spared
stood withering in the glare. There
was no water to relieve the oppression
and millions Of them lowering
over the dead, regardless Of battle
we're everywhere.
The French fought stripped to the
waist Even the steel helmets were
cast aside by many who preferred to
face bullets rather than endure the
heat of the metal on their heads.
Through cellar and tunnel Of the fort
ress the battle ragged. Grenades ex-
hausted. in many places it became
hand-to-hand. There was no chance
for quarter and none was asked by
either side.
Forced finally outside the walls Of
the redoubt. the French rallied and
held firm. There the lines stand 20
night. practically against each other,
the combat likely TO break out atresh at
any moment.
Cumieres Taken by Storm.
While the struggle at Douaumont was
going on. fresh German assaults had
been launched west of the Meuse at lie
Mort Homme. Here through the cap
ture Of the village of Cumeres last
night, they had secured new leverage
on the hill. The German attacks are
now delivered from three sides,
though so far the French have pre-
vented the launching Of a simultaneous
assault
French counter-attaeks late this af-
ternoon succeeded in winning back
portion Of the trenches on the outskirts
Of the village. Thus the situation has
been remedied somewhat. The French
also defeated attempts 10 outfiank them
IN the Caillette Wood.
The German losses in the last few
days have been appalling. In many
places the assaults have been so nu-
merous that the French have been un-
able to keep track Of them or TO esti-
mate the numbers engaged.
Almost a week has elapsed since the
present assault began. Since then there
has not been a moments respite. In
many places il has not been possible
TO relieve the fatigued troops, attack
crs as we'll as defenders. The strain
has been so great that he men fight as
10 daze
Marvel Of German Attack.
40 less marvellous TO military oo-
servers has been the performance of
The German military machine. WITH
few exceptions the German assaults
have been fruitless and bloody, calcu-
lated to try the courage of the bravest
troops. Yet the French have not noted
any diminishment in morale or any
Tagging in the apparent blind conf
dence Of the men in their officers.
Nor has there been any failure IN the
munition supply, although the drain
on the German reserves of she'll has
been enormous. Indeed, the munition-
ment Of the German heavy artillery on
all sectors about Ncrdun without the
stopping Of fire has been one Of the
marvels Of the attack. IL has afforded
convincing proof Of the efficiency OF
the German machine and Of the terrible
problem 10 be faced by the Allies when
they launch their offensive.
"On the right bank OF Se Meuse,"
says the War 0fhce statement, "the
bombardment was redoubled in the re-
cAatiaa1a On Dsxs 4 ealunan