Second and
third line trenches were re-won.
But the French did not stop there. The third day of March found them
still pushing the Germans and as darkness fell that night, the troops of
General Petain entrenched themselves just to the east of Thiaumont farm
and Hill No. 320. A trifle to the south, Fleury was once more in German
hands, the opposition in this sector having been too much for the French
to overcome. Almost due east, German guns, wheeled into position at Fort
Vaux, captured the preceding day, shelled the reconquered positions of
the French; but the latter stood firm. All night the artillery duel raged
and the coming of morning found both armies ready for the day's work.
The French opened the day by concentrating heavy artillery upon the
German positions at Fort Vaux. After a two hours' bombardment, the
infantry was ordered to the attack. Fresh troops took the places in
the trenches vacated by the attacking forces and heavy guns covered
their advance.
A hundred yards or so from the hastily constructed German trenches, the
thin French lines charged. Their ranks had been sadly depleted as they
marched across the open ground, but they stuck to the work bravely.
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