forts of
the Germans to dislodge the French they maintained their positions
within the fort.

Throughout the morning of May 23, 1916, the Germans rained shells on
French positions defended by the Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment.
The bombardment spread destruction among the French troops, but they
still clung to the terrain they had won and refused to yield or
retreat.

Throughout the night of May 23, 1916, the bloody struggle continued
unabated. On the morning of May 24, 1916, the fortress was still in
the hands of the French, with the exception of the northern salient
and some parts to the east. On the following day two new Bavarian
divisions were thrown into the fight and succeeded in retaking the
lines of the fortress, driving back the French as far as the immediate
approaches; that is, to the places they occupied previous to their
attack.

On the left bank of the Meuse the fighting slowed down, decreasing
gradually in intensity. The Germans were reacting feebly in this
territory, concentrating their greatest efforts on the right bank.
Throughout the whole region of Thiaumont, Douaumont, and Vaux they
pressed the fighting and were engaged in almost continuous attacks
and bombardments.

[Illustration: The Mort Homme Sector in Detail.]

On the 1st of June, 1916, all the French front in this sector was
attacked. The Germans, disregarding their heavy losses, returned
repeatedly to the charge. It was ascertained through a document found
on a prisoner that General Falkenhayn, chief of the German General
Staff, had given the order to advance at all costs.

The Germans attacked fearlessly, but the only progress they succeeded
in making was through the Caillette Wood to the southern edge of Vaux
Pool.

For five days this battle continued, one of the most desperately
fought around Verdun, and yet the Germans made insignificant gains,
out of all proportion to their immense losses. The Bavarian Division
which led the attack displayed an "unprecedented violence," according
to a French communique issued at the time. The Germans, repulsed again
and again, returned to the charge, and succeeded in obtaining a
foothold in the first houses of Damloup.

The struggle was continued without pause during the night from June 2
to June 3, 1916. By repeated and vigorous attacks the Germans at last
entered the ditches to the north of the fortress of Vaux, but were
unable to penetrate the works occupied by the French.

About 8 o'