_The Central Attack which was to capture Verdun and force back the French wings failed. The Germans, caught on the flank by French artillery posted on the left bank of the Meuse, attacked alternately on both sides of the river. The struggle continued desperately at Mort-Homme, Hill 304, Cumières, Fleury, and as far as the approaches of Souville Fort—extreme limit of the German Advance in June, 1916._] [Illustration: GENERAL PÉTAIN’S ORDER OF THE DAY (_see translation below_).] From March 11th to April 9th the aspect of the battle changed. Wide front attacks gave place to local actions, short, violent and limited in scope. On March 14th the Germans captured Hill 265, forming the western portion of the Mort-Homme position, from the 75th French Brigade, whose commander Colonel Garçon, fell, rifle in hand, but they failed to take the eastern part, Hill 295. On the 20th, Avocourt and Malancourt Woods fell to the Bavarians, and after a fierce struggle the village of Malancourt was lost on March 31st, Haucourt on April 5th, and Béthincourt on April 8th. On the right bank, after powerful attacks near Vaux, the enemy reached Caillette Wood and the Vaux-Fleury railway, only to be driven back by the 5th division (Mangin). A furious attack was made along both banks by the Germans at noon on April 9th; _on the left bank_, five divisions were engaged, failing everywhere except at the Mort-Homme, where, despite the heroic resistance of the 42nd division (Deville), they gained a footing on the N.E. slopes; _on the right bank_, Poivre Hill was attacked but remained in French hands. “_April 9th was a glorious day for our armies_,” General Pétain declared in his order of the day dated the 10th, “_the furious attacks of the soldiers of the Crown Prince broke down everywhere. The infantry, artillery, sappers and aviators of the 2nd Army vied with one another in valour. Honour to all. No doubt the Germans will attack again. Let all work and watch, that yesterday’s success be continued. Courage! We shall beat them!_” [Illustration: _General Nivelle, taking over the Command of Verdun Army in May, 1916._] On the 10th the enemy continued his efforts with small success. [Illustration: _Entrance to Douaumont Fort._] From that date operations were limited to local actions, either in reply to French counter-offensives (attacks of April 11th between Douaumont and Vaux and between the Meuse and Douaumont on the 17th), or in endeavours to take key positions where the French offered vigorous resistance. At the beginning of May General Pétain, having received the command of the central group of armies, General Nivelle took over that of the army of Verdun.