Caures Forest – Bois des Caures – Today
Today’s Bois des Caures offers visitors a multitude of possible explorations, both for the more tourist-oriented visitor and the ambitious battlefield researcher.
In the area of the junction of the D 905 with the D 125, which was called “Hessen-Platz” by the German troops, there is a large parking lot from which the main areas can be visited. From the parking lot, one can already see the large memorial to Émile Driant and his Chasseurs. Directly adjoining this, a signposted path begins, which can be followed along various positions to Driant’s former command bunker (R2). Easily traceable remains of the position system are also preserved here.
South of the parking lot, one finds a further monument on a forest clearing, which is said to have been erected at the spot where Émile Driant met his death on February 22, 1916, by an infantry bullet. Further east of this position, Driant’s original burial site is signposted. Today, it is preserved in the form of a standard French soldier’s grave with a white cross and a border. In addition, there is an information board.
Besides these areas developed for tourism, the Caures Forest also offers further remnants of the fighting. In the area of “Hessen-Platz”, starting from the eastern edge of the forest at the D 125, one can explore the former German assault departure position of 1916, which became the Volker-Stellung from the end of 1916. Various concrete bunkers, dugouts, and other structures built by the Germans over the years can be found there. At the southern edge of the forest at the D 125, to the west of the road, there are well-preserved remains of the French outpost position from 1915 in the form of concreted and masonry remains of dugouts as well as an observation post.
Deeper in the forest, west of the D 125, there is a mystery that has not yet been conclusively solved. Several hundred meters apart lie several bunkers, some of which are inscribed with animal names made of pebbles. “Nilpferd”, “Hai”, and “Mammut” are the names of some of these structures. Individual bunkers are designed as shelters with a fire step and two entrances, thus exhibiting a design that can also be found in other rear position areas, such as in the Bois de Fresnes or on the Höhe la Wavrille. Other structures were built without such close-defense facilities and have only one entrance. In addition to the animal names, some of these smaller installations also bear the abbreviation “1918 MinKdo”.
The structures were probably erected in the first half of 1918, because during this time there was no significant fighting in the Caures Forest. Isolated bunkers are located in the area of the Caureswald-Riegel, which was not completed until the end of the war. Others are found further north and outside this line. It is possible that the installations were erected in connection with the Caureswald-Riegel. Frequently, the abbreviation “MinKdo” is associated with troop designations such as “Mineur-Kommando” or “Minierungs-Kommando”. These interpretations are rather doubtful. It is more likely that MinKdo” was intended to be the abbreviation for “Minenwerfer-Kommando”. These units, consisting of a few pioneers, were not limited to operating a Minenwerfer (trench mortar). They performed general pioneer engineering tasks, particularly in position, dugout, and bunker construction.
Overall, a closer examination of the events in this combat sector is worthwhile. The fighting extended over the entire course of the war. Its history encompasses many facets, including connections to other front sectors and military events away from the actual combat operations north of Verdun from 1914 to 1918.
were AI-edited (notice pursuant to Art. 50 Regulation (EU) 2024/1689).