Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 163, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1916 — TERRIFIC COMBAT IN CADRES WOOD [ARTICLE]

TERRIFIC COMBAT IN CADRES WOOD

French Officer Pictures Fierce Fight for Possession of Position Near Verdun. COMMANDER LOATH TO LEAVE Brings Up Rear of His Troops in Retreat, Is Cut Off by Shells, and Never Is Seen Again. Paris. —An officer who has returned from the Verdun front gave this description of the battle for the possession of the Caures wood: “The affair of the Caures wood is one of Rhe most glorious episodes of the battle of Verdun. The chasseurs, who were charged ■with defending this part of the sector, were under the orders of Lieutenant Colonel Driant. “It was 7:15 in the morning of February 20 when the —Germans began preparations for their attack. The bombardment began with unusual violence and our listening posts, according to orders, fell back on the first line, where we awaited the attack. “A storm of iron began to pass over. It was, in fact, more than a storm, it was a deluge. Our shelters, even the best constructed, were demolished. “About two o’clock the effects of the bombardment were* tremendous. There did not remain a single shelter worthy of the name. The officer next in command to Lieutenant Colonel Driant was seriously wounded and many of our chasseurs were also stricken.

Fought Throughout the Night. “About five o’clock the enemy’s artillery slacked its fire and we no longer suffered so much. The reason of this was that the Germans were about to hurl themselves on Haumont. The front ranks of the enemy were dressed in capes, somewhat resembling ours, and they wore armlets similar to those on our men. This ruse was quickly seen through and they received a w-arm welcome. However, they were able to penetrate our first line trenches and establish themselves there. Counterattacks were made by us during the whole night, and after a hot grenade fighting our positions were practically maintained. “On the twenty-second the bombardment was resumed with the greatest violence. . . ~ “Toward midday we perceived large parties of the enemy who after having advanced toward the wood of Haumont turned toward the Caures wood with the intention of taking us in the rear. All our telephonic communications had been destroyed the evening before and we were no longer able to communicate with the main body of our troops except by couriers. Many volunteered for this service, but none of them ever returned. “The German ■ attack increased in violence. The enemy, with very superior forces to ours, including an entire new brigade, swept down upon usl ! “About 3:30 p. m., the situation suddenly became critical. The ring was tightening itself around us. The Germans had even brought up a big gun, which was bombarding the very heart of our position. It was then that 1 was called to the post of Lieutenant Colonel Drlant. Dies Rather Than Be Taken. . “Colonel Driant was stationed in the front line, which he had not left since the opening of the attack. He was leaning on his gun, surrounded by Commandant Renouard, Captain V incent and Captain Hamel. Energetically, but calmly, he said to me: “ Tn a few more moments it w-ill be necessary to die or to be taken prisoner.’ He waited a little while and added: *L would prefer to die.’ The tears flowed down his cheeks and we all wept The most hardened of our chasseurs present at this scene were overwhelmed by eipotlon. “Commandant Renouard assured himself that there was nothing more in the shelter which could be of any advantage to the enemy. All our archives and our plans had been burned on the twenty-first and the order to retreat was given. “Captain Renouard said: ‘At least let us try to save some of these brave fellows.* “Our retreat, began protected on the

flank by a detachment of chasseurs. The heads of the column on leaving the wood were welcomed by a crossfire from the enemy’s mitrailleuses. It was of no use to attempt a reply, and the fragments of the section which were able to escape from that zone rallied at Haumont on the first line of our second position. “Colonel Driant had wished to set out among the last. He was last seen by a chasseur, who was cut off with him by the same storm of shells. After the bombardment had temporarily slackened Colonel Driant made the chasseur leave first, crying to him, ‘Good-by and good luck.’ He remained until he was certain that none of his men were left in the wood, and has never’■been seen since.”