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 enemy captured, from the 75th Brigade, Hill 265 forming the Western portion of Mort-Homme, but they failed to take the Eastern portion. On the 20th, Avocourt and Malancourt Woods fell into the hands of the Bavarians, and after a fierce struggle the village of Malancourt was lost, and then Bethincourt 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.
On the following day in his order of the day, General Pétain promulgated his famous message "Courage ... we shall beat them!" (Reproduction [page 30]).
On April 30th, General Nivelle superseded in supreme command of the Verdun forces General Pétain who had been appointed to the command of the central army group.
"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!"
Ch. Pétain