Vaux Fort.—The Casemates of the Gorge of the Fort. The moat has been filled up by the bombardment.
The battle round Vaux. Attacks of March and April 1916.
During the early days of March 1916, the Germans reached the crest on the horizon, to the north of Vaux fort, from Douaumont to Hardaumont redoubt.
To storm the entrance to Bazil ravine by capturing the village and Vaux pool, then to outflank the fort by the ravine at the same time as they delivered a frontal attack, such was the manœuvre which the enemy intended to attempt in March and April.
On March 1st, in front of Vaux village and fort, the French front was held by the 303rd Brigade (Naulin), 408th and 409th Regiments, which were going to be reinforced by the arrival of the 1st, 3rd and 31st Battalions of chasseurs and parts of the 38th, 86th, 158th, 149th infantry Regiments and the 71st territorial Regiment.
From March 6th to 11th the enemy, regardless of sacrifices, attacked madly in mass.