HUN "BOOBY-TRAPS."

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16362, 6 November 1918, Page 4

HUN "BOOBY-TRAPS."

Somewhere in France. The Boche is nothing if not cunning, and when compelled by force « f clr ]^ n }7 stance to retire "according to plan, as he is now doing, he does his render the evacuated area as unpleasaut as possible for the mcomiug iefving intake deky-action timed, subtlo deuces to explode'automatically after the Fnveriil days or cvon weeks, or ar ®. arranzed that any incautious handling of the "bait" will fire the 'charge by the closing of an electric c«rcmt Before our troop take up their per manent quarters, however detachments of Tunnellers specially s e l«tod for the iab are sent forward to examine iikeiy spots and report all safe for occupation. The iv ily Hun must have many a iquieb ch»cklo over '.om« of the souI vonirs he leaves behind him when «andinrr over hi.s comfortable dug-outs to the enemv, but "the best-laid schemes of mice and men gang aft a-gley, nn seldom does a booby-trap escape tho keen eves of the searchers. Here* is a diig-out entranoe. Oo gmorerly down the stairway, for a loose stop at the bottom may press the button that will cut you off for ever from the light of day; that shovel, too, carelessly lft" sticking out of the wall, is a iavountd trap, and needs careful handling, lhe stovo is most conveniently laid ready for lighting, but look for an instantaneous fuse hidden in the chininey before attempting to cook your dinner at Fritz's expense. , Do not touch those artificial flowers lying on the table, if you value your life: for you may be quite sure that thov are no sentimental peace-offering. That .spiked helmet/hanging on the wall is very tempting but you are too old a bird to be caught so easily; *first cub the wires concealed behind it, and yon can then safely send it home to your wife. .

All clear at last! Chalk up your trade mark, and away to the next job— a well-furnished cellar required as battle quarters for the G.O.C. In the corner, merrily ticking away, stands an eightday grandfather clock. It looks harmless enough, doesn't it? But let a careless batman forget to wind it up at the end of the week, and the unsuspecting general will be "missing, believed killed," for the -weight on reaching the floor will complete the fatal circuit. It is a "low-down" form of warfare, and being effective only in retreat, tro allow the Boche, for once, the monopoly of it: