the opening of the greatest offensive by the French at Verdun--an
offensive by which General Petain, the French commander, hoped to drive
back the foe that for months had pressed on so hard, and thus to insure
the safety of Verdun, "The gateway to France," against the German invader
for all time to come.

Each move of this gigantic effort had been thought out well in advance.
All contingencies had been provided for and against. The blow was to be
struck at the psychological moment, when it would be deemed by the French
general staff that it was sure of success.

And now this moment had come.

The information placed in the hands of General Petain days before by Hal
and Chester had been the one link in the chain that had been missing. Now
the general staff felt sure of the success of this great effort, though
there was not a man who had taken part in the preparations who did not
know that the victory--if victory there should be--would be won at
tremendous cost.

But, with the fate of Verdun in the balance, it had been the opinion of
each member of the general staff that now was no time to hesitate.

So, upon this morning in June, just before dawn, the French advanced all
along their entire front.

Under the protection of their big guns they would be able to progress for
some time; and as they attacked the German first line trenches in a
charge, the fire of the big guns would continue, firing overhead at the
German second and third line trenches beyond.

And it was in this manner that the advance was made.

The day dawned while the French were still some distance from the German
first line trenches; and the German guns, far to the east, and the German
defenders in the trenches opened on them with a vengeance. But the French
were prepared for this. There had been no thought of a surprise attack in
the plans of the general staff. It was known that the Germans would
realize what was about to happen when the duel of big guns began more
than twenty-four hours before.

Before sun-up the French infantry sprang forward in its first charge. It
was thrown back. Immediately a second charge was ordered. This met the
same fate as had the first. A third brought no better results.

On the next charge, as the French advanced the Germans left their
trenches and sprang forward to meet them. The big German guns became
still as the infantry struggled hand to hand.

There issued from the French left at this juncture, heavy bodies