Periodical Literature 357 



expense for wood of about 6,000 francs for a complete battery, 

 including munition shelters. These figures, however, are often 

 exceeded since the shelter for some single guns has cost from 

 2500 to 2700 francs each. Aeroplane covers, to protect guns 

 against observation by aeroplanes, usually consume about 35 

 meters. An ordinary block house consumes 2500 to 2700 francs 

 worth of wood. 



At the commencement of the war, before the heavy artillery 

 was brought into action, the damage was usually localized and, 

 for the most part, small. At some of the passes, small areas 

 were completely destroyed because of intensive operations. After 

 the heavy artillery got into action, the damage became more 

 complete. At such places as Hartmannsvillerkopf, the forest was 

 completely destroyed by bombardments. This destruction was 

 often very rapid. For example, on July 23, 1915, on the north 

 slope of Schratzmannele, opposite the French positions, a very 

 dense pole wood was ^ destroyed in less than a day. By the 

 middle of September, there was nothing left of this particular 

 forest. In spite of the numerous bombardments, however, there 

 has been very little fire. Only one fire of any size is recorded, 

 namely, on July 25, 1915, in the attack on Linge, the forest 

 was lighted by French artillery on a north slope and resulted 

 in heavy damage to the German defense, since it made visible 

 their trenches, barricades, and barb wire entanglements. In 

 addition to actual destruction by fighting or for use in fight- 

 ing, considerable forest areas were denuded to facilitate artil- 

 lery. The construction and heating of temporary camps has 

 also consumed a great deal of wood. 



Lesseux concludes that the French forests have paid a large 

 tribute to the war. 



T. S. W., Jr. 



Revue des Eaux et Forets, April 1, 1916, pp. 110-6. 



