ge
to the east. Though they were in such position as to half encircle the
fort, yet a body of Brandenburgers succeeded by surprise in forcing
their way into its walls, from which subsequent French attacks failed
to dislodge them.

East and west of Douaumont the Germans made incessant efforts to
break through the new French front, but only succeeded in gaining a
foothold in Hardaumont work. Douaumont village was attacked with fresh
forces and abundant material on the morning of the 27th. The struggle
here was marked by hand-to-hand fighting and bayonet charges in which
the Germans were clearly at a disadvantage. They won a French redoubt
on the west side of Douaumont Fort, but after an intense struggle were
forced out and retreated, leaving heaps of dead on the ground.

Douaumont became again the center of German attack, and though driven
off with terrible losses, they brought up fresh troops and renewed the
fray. Advances were pushed with reckless bravery, but in vain, for
their forces were shattered before they could reach the French
positions. Their losses in men must have been enormous, and for two
days no further attacks were made. The French knew that they had not
accepted defeat and were only reorganizing their forces for a fresh
onslaught. On March 2, 1916, the Germans renewed the bombardment,
smothering the village under an avalanche of shells. Believing that
this time the way was clear to advance, they rushed forward in almost
solid ranks. French machine-gun and rifle fire cut great gaps in the
advancing waves, but this time the brave defenders could not hold them
back, and Douaumont was penetrated.

The Germans occupied the place, but they were not permitted to leave
it, for the French infantry were posted only a hundred yards away and
every exit was under their fire.

On the day following, the 3d, the French, after bombarding the ruins
of Douaumont and working havoc in the ranks of the enemy, rushed two
battalions during the night against the German barricades, and after a
stubborn fight occupied the place. But their victory was short lived.
Before dawn the Germans, attacking with large reenforcements, after
four or five hours of intense and murderous struggle, again occupied
the village. The French, somewhat shattered in numbers but by no means
discouraged, fell back some two hundred yards to the rear, where they
proceeded to reestablish their line and there await their opportunity
to strike again.

S