positions
from the Meuse to Bethincourt. They pursued their usual methods,
smashing a selected sector, demolishing advance works, and keeping a
curtain fire over roads and trenches. The village of Forges during the
first half of the day of attack was literally covered with shells.
Crossing the Forges Brook, which ran through a ravine, and where they
were protected from French artillery fire, the Germans advanced along
the northern slopes of the Cote de l'Oie. Following the railway line
through Regneville, at all times under heavy fire from French guns,
they attacked Hill 265 on the 7th. An entire division was employed by
the Germans in this assault, and the French, overwhelmed by weight of
men and metal, were forced out of the position.

In the morning of March 7, 1916, the Germans began a furious
bombardment of Corbeaux Wood. At first the French enjoyed every
advantage, for though the Germans had penetrated the position, the
French by a dashing attack occupied almost the whole of the wood. A
mass attack made by the Germans against Bethincourt having failed,
they counterattacked at Corbeaux Wood, during which their force was
almost annihilated. By evening of March 8, 1916, the French had
recovered all the wood but a small corner.

[Illustration: First Attack on Verdun.]

The Germans were persistent in their attempts to gain the wood,
despite many failures and heavy losses. On the 10th, after being
reenforced, they threw three regiments against the wood. The French
defense was broken when they lost their colonel and battalion
commanders during the opening bombardment. The brave defenders,
badly hit, were forced to yield ground and retire, but they held the
enemy in the wood, thus preventing him from advancing on Mort Homme,
the next objective.

This is a double hill, having a summit of 265 meters at the northwest
and the main summit of 295 meters at the southeast. The road from
Bethincourt to Cumieres scales Hill 265 and divides it in two. When it
reaches Hill 295 it encircles it and bends toward the northeast.

After a lull that lasted for four days the Germans at half past 10 in
the morning began a terrific bombardment to capture Bethincourt, the
Mort Homme, and Cumieres. In this they employed a great number of
heavy guns, and all the points of attack and the region around was
flooded with shells of every variety. They were said to have fallen at
the rate of one hundred and twenty a minute.

In the afternoon ab