Evening star., 1918-08-04
WOLVES DIVISION
NNERW EXPLOITS
VaIor Of Frenchmen Brings
Stirring Stories From
Battle Front.
GERMANS GREW TO FEAR
BY WILLIAM COOK.

SaDleKE0m 10 Ine Suhuay SseAA @..~
the New York World. Copyright, l9lS.
PARIS, August 3.-The exploits OF
the wolves division" of the French
army rank among the most amazing OF
the second victory of the Marine and
form a stirring chapter Of the story
of the great war.
These warriors gained the name, be-
slowed on them by the Germans, in
Bois Lepretre where they terrified the
enemy as they emerged snarling like
the animals they are named for from
behind the trees, killing all who ven
tured to bar their way.
Withdraw at First.
They took up their position at night
on June IL before Villers-Cotterets
forest. One hour later they were in
action along the Longpont-Courey
line. But they had entered the battle
during the most formidable phase Of
the enemys onslaught, and SO were
obliged to draw in their outposts west
of the Saviere.
They installed themselves on the
heights of Faverolles, where. during
a whole month of uninterrupted fight
ting, they repulsed the foes counter
attacks. On some days the Germans
attacked ten times within twenty-four
hours. but despite the onslaughts and
the hail of large-caliber shells, minen-
werfer fire and clouds Of gas, they
kept their sworn pledge that the
enemy shall not enter Villers-Cot-
terets forest
Complimented by Foe.
An order of the day found on q
prisoner and signed by the German
Gen. Kundt, says:
I'VE have found before us in the
course of this battle infantry DIM
cult to overcome. The adversary Is
well worth our respect"
The day came when the French COM
mand wished to gain elbow room. in view
of possible offensive. The division re-
take up a position on the southern slopes
Of Louatre. On July II the men, despite
heavy storm and the steep .Al0pea
bordering the river, got across II one
brilliant rush.
But the enemy, who had not imagined
the French would dare to attack. re-
covered from the effects OF the surprise,
and, perceiving the critical situation OF
the wolves" clingtng to the steep slopes
Of the riverside. launched attack after
dLt<iSA- Out AuS C11OiIS Idlcu 10 Ht0D
them. He next put over terrific cross
fire from the batteries, cutting bridges
and communications and filling the air
with gas fumes.
Didn't Yield an Inch.
But still the wolves didn't yield an
inc;.. nSring five days and nights. al
most without food, economizing their
munitions as best they could, unable to
send back their wounded, they held the
opening gate Of victory
On the other side Of the river the
colonel commanding one Of these mag
nificent regiments watched the men dur
ing the performance. In an order he
says: Il marveled at this sublime ex-
ample of courage, patience and patri-
otism." On the evening of July IS the
colonel had the pleasure Of establishing
a poste de combat in the reconquered
village mill east of the Saviere, while
the men were clearing the enemy from
the wood, capturing guns. munitions and
taking prisoners.
Weary, But Undaunted.
That day the general order for the
advance was received. and despite the
fatigue incident to the ordeal Of a
month and a half the 'Wolves'' went
into battle, crossing the enemy barrage,
and wiped out the machine gun nests
and reached Brassettes wood, which had
been assigned as their objective.
They had advanced three kilometers
(two miles), made 10 prisoners, cap
tured twenty-one loss. seventy-seven
S8s and $50 machine guns. At one
stage Of the proceeding heavy flank
fire held up the wolves" and an
other division was sent to get be-
yond them. At sight of these fresh
troops the Wolves cried: .Allow
ourselves to be left in the rear?
Never"
They dashed anew into the assault
and got beyond the reinforcements.
Among the many individual exploits
was that of a soldier named Letremy,
who penetrated singlehanded to a
farm occupied by Germans and killed
three of them, when the others, ter
rified, took to their heels. Alone, Le-
frenzy held the farm against the
counter attack Of the enraged Ger
mans until his company came to his
rescue.