The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1916-07-06
French Officer Pictures Fierce
Fight for Possession Of
Position Near verdun.
c01MMlDER loATN TO LEAVE
0siNVs Up Rear ss His Troeps In
Rstreat, 10 Cut on BY Shells,
and Never 10 oesN
Again.

TNIln|~Au OIuCeE WIZ AAD tSSOSooo
from the verdun front gave this de-
ocription Of the battle for the posses
slon Of the Caures wood:
"The affair Of the Caures wood 10
one Of the most glorious episodes Of
the battle Of verdun. The chasseurs,
who were charged with defending this
part Of the sector, we're under the or
ders Of Lieutenant Colonel Driant
1T was Z 10 In the morning of Feb
ruary 20 when the Germans be-
gan preparations for their attack. The
bombardment began with unusual vio-
lence and our listening posts, accord
ing 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, 1t
was a deluge. Our shelters, even the
best constructed, were demolished.
"About two o'clock the effects Of the
bonlbardment were tremendous. There
did not remain single shelter worthy
of the name. The officer next In COM
mand 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 ar
tillery Stacked 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 re-
ceived a warm 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.
ION the twenty-secOnd the bonn
bardment was resumed with the great
est violence.
Toward midday we perceived large
parties of the enemy who after having
advanced toward the wood of Hau-
mont turned toward the Caures wood
with the intention of tuking us in the
rear. All our telephone communica-
uons 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 su-
perior forces to ours, including an en-
tire new brigade, swept down upon US.
"Al out 80 p. m, the situation sud-
denly became critical. The ring was
tightening itself around US. The Ger
mans had even brought up big gun,
which was bombarding the very heart
Of our position. 1t was then that
was called to the post Of Lieutenant
Colonel Driant.
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 lean
ing on his gun, surrounded by Com
mandant RenOuard. Captain Vincent
and Captain Hamel. Energetically. but
calmly, he said to me:
"In few more moments It will be
necessary to die or to be taken pris-
oner.' he waited little while and
added: would prefer to die The
tears flowed down his cheeks and we
all wept. The most hardened of oul
chasseurs present at this scene ere
overwhelmed by emotion.
"Commandant RenOuard assured
mmself 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 re-
treat was given.
captain Renouurd said: AT least
let us try to save some of these brave
fellows.'
FfAtp