FRENCH PLAN TO BLAST BARRICADE.

[Illustration:  VERDUN—­THE WORLD’S GREATEST BATTLEFIELD. _—­Chicago American._

Approximate Positions of German Troops at Various Dates, and More
Important Actions of the Verdun Campaign in in Their Chronological
  Order.—­See Key to Letters and Numbers on Opposite Page.]

  THE VERDUN BATTLEFIELD

  Key to Map on Opposite Page

  Battle lines showing the approximate positions of the German troops at
  Verdun at various dates are designated in the map as follows: 

  A. Positions Feb. 21, 1916, when German offensive was begun.

  B. Positions on Feb. 23.

  C. Positions on Feb. 25.

  D. Positions on Feb. 27.

  E. Bethincourt salient, April 7, before French retired.

  F. Positions on April 18.

  The more important actions of the Verdun campaign in their chronological
  order are indicated as follows: 

  1.  Germans open offensive against Verdun, piercing French lines.

  2.  French evacuate Haumont, Feb. 22.

  3.  French recapture Forest of Caures, Feb. 22, but lose it again.

  4.  Germans pierce French line, taking 3,000 prisoners.

  5.  Germans capture Brabant, Haumont, Samogneux, etc., Feb. 23.

  6.  Berlin reports capture of four villages and 10,000 French prisoners
  Feb. 23.

  7.  Germans capture Louvemont and fortified positions Feb. 25.  Fort
  Douaumont stormed by Brandenburg corps, then surrounded by
  French, but relieved by Germans March 3.

  8.  Germans take Champneuville Feb. 27, with 5,000 prisoners.

  9.  Bloody encounters at village of Eix on Woevre plain, Feb. 27.

  10.  Germans occupy Moranville and Haudiomont, Feb. 27.

  11.  Champlon and Manheuilles fall Feb. 28; 1,300 French prisoners.

  12.  Verdun battered and set on fire by 42-centimeter guns.

  13.  French evacuate Fort Vaux, after heavy bombardment, March 1.

  14.  Germans begin violent bombardment of Dead Man’s Hill, March 1.

  15.  Germans capture village of Douaumont, March 2; 1,000 prisoners.

  16.  Fresnes captured by Germans, March 5.

  17.  Germans capture Forges, March 5; drive against French left wing.

  18.  Germans take Regneville, west of Meuse, March 6.

  19.  Germans capture heights of Cumieres, etc., March 7.

  20.  Village of Vaux taken and retaken by Germans, March 8-10.

  21.  Crown Prince brings up 100,000 reinforcements, March 10-12.

  22.  French recapture trenches March 14, with 1,000 German prisoners.

  23.  Struggle for heights of Le Mort Homme, March 16.

  24.  Germans capture positions north of Avocourt, March 20.