northwest of Hill 304. This plan was frustrated by the French, who
repulsed them with the bayonet.

The German attacks having failed everywhere, Hill 304 was subjected to
continuous and violent bombardment. In the afternoon of the 7th they
attacked again. With the exception of a strip of trench east of the
hill, which was retaken the following night, they did not register any
advance.

Among the German regiments participating in these attacks the
following were identified: Regiments of the Eleventh Bavarian
Division, a regiment of the Hundred and Ninety-second Brigade, the
Twelfth Reserve Division, the Fourth Division, and the Forty-third
Reserve Division.

From the 13th to the 16th of May, 1916, the Germans continued their
attacks on the Camart Wood west of Hill 304. In these operations they
employed a fresh corps, the Twenty-second Reserve Corps, for the first
time.

After a lull lasting a few days the battle assumed an increasing
violence on the left bank. In the afternoon of the 20th the Germans
threw four divisions to the assault of Mort Homme. During the night
and on the following day the battle raged with undiminished fury. At a
heavy cost the Germans succeeded at last in capturing some trenches
north and west of Mort Homme. At one time the French second lines were
seriously threatened, but a spirited defense scattered the attackers.
After intense fighting the French won back some of the ground they had
lost on Hill 287, and during May 21 and 22, 1916, succeeded in
regaining other positions captured by the enemy.

The recovery of Fort Douaumont which had been occupied by
Brandenburgers since February 25, 1916, was now the aim of the French.
General Mangin, one of the youngest officers of that rank in the
French army and commanding the Fifth Division, directed operations.
The French brought into action their heaviest artillery, which opened
a terrific fire on the German lines.

The French soldiers accepted it as an omen of success when about 8
o'clock in the morning of May 22, 1916, six captive balloons stationed
over the right bank of the Meuse exploded, thus depriving the German
batteries of their observers on whom they counted to get the range.

At about 10 in the morning the French infantry by a brilliant charge
captured three lines of German trenches. The fortress of Douaumont was
penetrated, and during the entire night a fierce struggle was
continued within its walls. In spite of the most violent ef