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Show DESPERATE FIGHT IS GOING ON New Battle of Verdun Raging on Larger Scale Than First Germans Employing Great Force. FRENCH STILL STRONG Supreme Effort of Crown Prince Troops Awaited With Confidence by French Armies. Paris, March 8, 1:30 a. m The battle bat-tle o Verdun developed both in intensity inten-sity and in extent all day yesterday and Is now raging along the line from Cheppy in the Argonne to Fresnes in the "WoeAre, showing that the second attack for the .stronghold is to be made on a larger scale than the first. So far, according to the Teports received receiv-ed here, the Germans, by employing masses of men without counting cost, obtained some slight gains both to the west of the Meuse and in the Woevre, where they carried Fresnes after a fierce struggle. Desperate fighting is again going on the left bank of the river. Following up the advantage of yesterday, the Germans, going around the foot of the slope which served them as a mask, followed the railroad and entered Regnlevllle, From there they launched launch-ed fifteen thousand men against Hill 265, to the east of Cote de L'Oie, and carried it Thus they control the loop of the Meuse within which Regnlevllle Regnle-vllle Is located. The French withdrew their right from within the loop and it now rests on the Meuse above Cumleres. This withdrawal from an advanced position on the left bank became necessary, according to the military experts, in order to maintain alignment with the position on the right bank and it I would have been difficult to hold the j advanced point which the Germans I could at the same time attack in front j and on the flank. j Having thus obtained command of the slopes leading to the principal French position which run from Beth-Incourt Beth-Incourt to Cote de L'Oie by the north- eastern spur of Le Morte Homme and the woods of Corbeaux and Cumlerres, I the Germans without losing a moment's mo-ment's time, hurled masses of Infantry against these positions. They gained a footing in the Corbeaux wood but elsewhere their attack were repulsed with heavy losses. In this district centers at present the chief Interest of the battle and the supreme effort of the German troops Is awaited by the French with, confidence, as they rely In the strength of their defensive preparations. The occupation of Fresnes Is considered as of only secondary importance, since the position posi-tion was an advanced one and not at all worth the Incurring of heavy sacrifices to defend. |
