The Washington times., 1915-05-30
FRENCH CORPS TAKE
LE PRETRE WOOD IN
DESPERATE CHARGE
Class Of 1915, q Years Old,
Wins Forest After Seven
t. Months Of Fighting.
ABLAIN CLEARED OF FOE
Joffre's Armies Make Fresh
Progress North of Arras, Re-
pulsing Counter Attack.
ABLAIN CLEARED OF FOE

PARIS. May 3o.-The war office an
nounces that the last German posi-
tions in LIE Pretre wood, northwest
OF Pont-a-Mousson. have been cap
tured at the point of the bayonet by
soldiers Of the class OF 1915, who
dashed forward with utter disregard
OF their lives in a magnificent charge.
The announcement is of especial in
terest because it reveals the fact that
young men of twenty-one years are
fighting at t-.e front and fighting with
great effect despite the limited time
of their military training. 1t is the
first mention of soldiers Of this class
in battle.
A review Of the operations which re-
suited in the complete occupation Of
the wood contains the description Of
the last charge. 1t says the fighting
in this region has been continuous
for seven months and ended in vic
tory only through the bravery of the
soldiers in question. who completed
the task after the destruction of sub
terranean forts by artillery.
Foes Losses Serious.
An official account Of the fighting
for LIE Pretre wood says:
"Our offensive never relaxed in this
region. although many times we suf-
fered severe checks. so our advance
necessarily was slow. The heights
were heavily fortified by checker
h1o htnr la
between huge trenches and trees
which served as breastworks
"On May 12 the decisive action oc-
Cured. Although the Germans had
brought up sixteen battalions from
Metz we succeeded in gaining the
ridge. Among our soldiers who de-
serve special mention are those Of
the class of 1915, who were most eag-
er to be allowed to charge. each day
asking their officers: When will we
be allowed to charge with the bay
onet?'
summit but our lines go slightly be-
yond. We hold the entire northern
slope. The enemy still clings to the
eastern and western sides. Two , hun, nun,
serious were their losses and how
great attempts they made to hold the
positions"
Ablain Cleared of Germans.
The entire village OF Ablain Is now
cleared of German soldiers, says the
Official communique. Final occupa-
ton was effected yesterday afternoon
after extremely hot fighting, in which
the Germans made a desperate re-
sistance.
The communique is as follows:
I'm the sector north of Arras we
made fresh progress. After having
repulsed with complete success a
German counter attack on our
trenches between Ablain and ST. Ma
zaire we took the offensive and cap
tured, first, the greater part. and
then all the remaining houses held
by the enemy in Ablain. We are now
complete masters of the village The
fighting was very hot. We annihi-
lated or put to flight three German
companies.
"At Neuville-St. Vaast the street
fighting continues. We occupied
new group of houses at the western
side OF the village.
I'm the remainder of the sector OF
Arras there is nothing to report ex-
cept a bomba rdment by the enemy
of extreme violence to which our ar
tillery replied.
Near Thiescourt, southeast OF
Lassigny, we brought down Ger
man aeroplane which in falling be-
fore our lines caught fire"