New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-02
Climax of Battle Near
in Attempt to Rivet
Steel Band.
HILL 304 NOW
TEUTON GOAL
Ayocourt Sector Subjected
TO Intense Artillery
Bombardment.
rpv Cshi. 20 The Tnbune J

rondon. April 1.-The climax OF the
,,v usels' battle at Verdun is rapidly
,pproaching. With the fortress three
cuarters surrounded, the Germans are
nreparing their final attempt TO close
the steel ring. Unless it can be checked
the French must evacuate Nerdun or
be shut up in 1t.
Duplicating their capture OF Maian-
eourt on Thursday, the Germans TO-
day succeeded in penetrating the VII
lace Of Vaux. east of the Meuse. NauT'
with Douaumont, has been described
"a the front door Of the fortress itself.
For q month the French and Germans
have been at death grips over them'
their trenches 80 close together thst
,s;,ber side was able to use artillery
Prepare to Attack Hill 3os.
West Of the Meuse, although ther'
nss no infantry attack, the French po-
s;,io,s were subjected TO artillery hre
more terrific than any IN the past mn
en4 ;s the next German objective, and
not until it has literally been smoth-
cred in shells will the Germans attempt,
II is believed, 10 debouch from Malan-
court. Intense fire was also concen-
trated on the Avocourt sector, the
driving head Of the German wedge The
Germans are working on a prearrsnged
plan, and nothing apparently will cause
them 10 anticipate their schedule.
Berlin. in the official announce
m,nt to-day. scarcely mentions the
Verdun Sighting IL merely records that
"there were violent artillery duels in
the Argonne and in the sector Of the
Meuse."
"To the cast Of the Meuse," says
The Paris communique, "the lombard
nent became exceedingly violent yester-
day evening. and last night along the
sector between the wood to the south
Of Haudremont and in the region Of
yaux. Against this latter point the
Germans delivered two sudden attacks
in which large numbers of men took
part The first, which was made from
both the north and the south at the
same time, was checked by our curtain of
FIRE and the fire Of our infantry before
It could get as far as our lines.
Paris Admits Vaux Loss.
During the course Of the second at
tack the enemy. after very spirited
fight, was able 20 secure a footing IN
the western part Of the village Of Naux,
occupied By our forces"
Describing the latter developments
The night statement says:
"West Of the Meuse the lombard
nent has been intense against our posi-
tons between AvocOurt and Malan-
court
TO the east Of the Meuse a quite
violent bombardment was followed in
the course Of the afternoon by Ger
man attack on the ravine between Fort
Douaumont and the village Of Nau%.
The attack wss completely stopped BY
our curtain Of FIRE.
In the Argonne our batteries were
active against the German organiza-
tons north Of Laharazee and La File
Mort, and against the enemy camps IN
he northern part Of the Heppy wood
Germans 20 10 in Attack.
single battalion Of French in
isntry held the salient, comprising the
village Of Malancourt. in the Verdun
region west Of the Meuse, according 20
reports reaching here Of the battle.
Agsinst forces twenty times their mum
Der in the attack Of Thursday night
hty held out until, surrounded on
Mree sides, they were compelled 70
encore between retirement and capt
Ure
Three German brigades attacked just
after dark. The column attacking IN
mont met with such sustained ire tha'
y was thrown back before reaching "A
house % the village The assaults were
renewed repeatedly AZ intervals OF a
ier minutes, the German ranks grow
ing thinner with each rush.
a. about II O'Clock the Germans
brought up a fresh brigade and at
,seksd fgr.ously on all fides, but were
szsin thrown back b. rifle IRE ana
bszonets.
~ o'clock another charge was
made. u was directed principally
hgsinst the fanks, and the column op-
trsting On the left, after being re-
pulsed several times, succeeded IN max
ing a breach In the defensive me o.
Ne French. Being reinforced WIN
htsh troops, the Germans we're abie
% hold the ground.
Nslsncoun Now Pile Of Ruins.
The French battalion still held out
s'c fought from house 20 house until
sswo. Then the cycr-increasing 'c'.
mar reinforcement oYerYhclmed "hs'
Hnsined of the defending force. By