VISIT TO ARGONNE

ENORMOUS SHELL CRATER FILLED WITH WATER

Between Vauquois and La Harazée: the 1st American Corps (Liggett), comprising three divisions (35th, 28th, and 77th) in line, and one division (92nd) in reserve.

In addition, there was the army reserve, consisting of three divisions (1st, 29th, and 82nd).

On the left, the liaison of the American Army with the French Fourth Army (Gouraud) on the outskirts of the Argonne, between the Aisne and the forest, was maintained by two infantry regiments.

On the right, the French 17th Corps was stationed as look-out on the right bank of the Meuse.

Facing the three corps of the American Army, the Germans had in line eleven divisions belonging to the army of Von Gallwitz. Seven divisions were in thee army reserve, whilst four additional divisions were being reorganized in the Metz sector.

FIRST STAGE OF THE FRANCO-AMERICAN OFFENSIVE, SHOWING THE ALLIES’ PROGRESS FROM SEPT. 26 (26/9) TO SEPT. 30 (30/9), 1918

(September 20—September 30, 1918.)

On September 26, 1918, the combined attack was launched on either side of the Argonne. At 5.30 a.m., after an artillery preparation of six hours on the French side, and of three hours on the American, the Allied troops advanced to the attack. While the French took Servon, and gained a footing on the low hills which skirt the right bank of the Aisne, the Americans, who did not at first encounter great resistance, seized in a single rush the first German position. The second line was soon reached, and in spite of the increasing resistance, an average advance of about four to six miles was effected. The Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Missouri troops belonging to the 1st Corps (Liggett) took Varennes, Montblainville, Cheppy, and cleared Vauquois.

On the right, the troops of the 3rd Corps (Bullard), crossing the Forges stream, entered Malancourt, Béthincourt, Cuisy, Septsarges, Gercourt and Drillancourt. On that day over 5,000 prisoners were captured by the Americans.

On the 27th, the advance was slower; the fire of the enemy artillery increased in intensity, and German reinforcements counter-attacked. Nevertheless, the Americans carried Véry, Epinonville, Ivoiry and Charpentry.

On the centre, the 5th Corps (Cameron) met with formidable resistance, and in crossing the woods of Malancourt and Cheppy the troops from New Jersey, Virginia, Oregon, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana suffered very heavy losses. In addition, they had to face numerous German counter-attacks. On the 26th it was impossible to reach the formidable Heights of Montfaucon, but on the 27th the ridge, outflanked on the west by the capture of Ivoiry, and on the east by that of Septsarges, fell into the hands of the 5th Corps which reached Nantillois.

On the evening of the 27th, the American spoils included over 100 guns (12 of large calibre), numerous trench-mortars, hundreds of machine-guns, and over 8,000 prisoners, 125 of whom were officers.

On the evening of the 27th, the infantry fought fiercely for the lastpoints d’appuiassigned to them for that day.

In order to prevent a counter-offensive by the Germans, General Pershing rapidly organised, behind the ground already won, a line of defence through Gercourt, Drillancourt, Juré Wood, Dannevoux, Nantillois, Eclisfontaine, Charpentry, Montblainville and Apremont.

On the 28th, the resistance of the enemy further stiffened: fresh troops carried out repeated counter-attacks on the French right and against the American centre. The Americans, however, reached the outskirts of Brieulles-sur-Meuse, Ogons Wood, the southern edge of Cierges, and the northern outskirts of Apremont, whilst in the forest, the Franco-American liaison troops occupied the Crochet shelter. On the west the French approached Binarville and reached Ivoy Farm.

Up to that point, the American Air Force, fully maintaining its supremacy in the air, had brought down twelve observation balloons and over sixty enemy aeroplanes.

The next day, the Germans, throwing fresh reinforcements into the battle, counter-attacked furiously.

Between the Valley of the Aire and Cierges, the Americans had to fight hard for several days, in order to resist the pressure of the enemy and to hold the ground they had gained. On the 29th and 30th violent fighting took place round Apremont. The Germans, reinforcing their artillery, fired great numbers of gas shells. They stubbornly defended the approaches of the “Kriemhilde” position, which from Champigneulle to St. Juvin, through Cornay, Fléville, and the woods of Gesnes, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Cunel and Fays, reached the Meuse in the Brieulles district.

Thus the first stage of the attack was over. The Americans had forced the Germans to abandon their first and second lines and had captured 9,000 prisoners and more than 100 guns.

(October 1-31, 1918.)

The advance effected during the first stage of the attack brought the American infantry face-to-face with fresh German positions, strongly defended, bristling with machine-guns and automatic weapons, organised one behind the other and connected up with one another. These positions had to be reduced bit by bit.

The smallest wood or the least depression of the ground was utilised by the Germans with the greatest skill. In the woods they made use of a new type of auxiliary defence-works—barbed-wire entanglements (Maschendraht) about nine feet in height, fastened to trees or to stakes six inches in diameter.

The Americans on their side attacked desperately, and succeeded in gaining the disputed ground, step-by-step, thereby laying during the whole month of October the foundation of the operations which in November were to end in the enemy’s capitulation along the whole front.

On October 1, a hard struggle began which lasted several days, with alternate advances and retreats. The French, finally breaking the counter-offensive on their flank, advanced along the Valley of the Aire. On October 1 they occupied Binarville, Condé-lez-Autry and Vaux-lez-Mouron, after capturing considerable material, including 200 narrow-gauge trucks and numerous trucks of normal gauge. The Americans, on their side, in spite of the machine-guns, barbed-wire, and counter-attacks supported by tanks, pushed forward bravely.

SECOND STAGE OF THE FRANCO-AMERICAN ATTACK, SHOWING PROGRESS MADE UP TO OCTOBER 30 (30/10)

On October 4, Pershing launched an attack along the whole Army front.

On the right, the American 3rd Corps advanced as far as the Brieulles-Cunel road, which, however, it failed to pass. In the centre, the 5th Corps reached Gesnes. On the left, the troops of the 1st Corps advanced on the Forest of Argonne and reached La Viergette. On the edge of the forest the same troops made an advance of about two miles, reaching the outskirts of Fléville and capturing Chéhéry, as well as Arietal Farm on the north of Exermont.

On October 7, the 1st Corps drove the Germans out of Chatel and Chéhéry, and from the heights to the west of the Aire, as far as the outskirts of Cornay, which they took on the following day.

But with the arrival of numerous reinforcements the German resistance increased, and the advance became more and more difficult.

An extension of the attacking front was then decided upon, and the French 17th Corps (Claudel), which was keeping watch on the right bank of the Meuse, was placed at General Pershing’s disposal.

This army corps was reinforced by the French 26th Infantry Division and the American 33rd Infantry Division, which were already operating on the right bank of the river. These dispositions having been completed a fresh attack was launched from the Argonne as far as Beaumont, to the west of the Meuse.

On October 8, the German positions were violently bombarded, and on the 9th the troops advanced to the assault.

On the right, the French 17th Corps advanced as far as the southern outskirts of the Haumont and Consenvoye Woods, but could not get beyond these positions, which had been very strongly fortified by the Germans.

VARENNES. TELEPHONISTS OF THE 108TH REGT. (28TH D.I.) WITH GAS MASKS

Along the Meuse the American 3rd Corps entered Brieulles, while the 5th Corps reached the main German line of resistance between Cunel and Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, and captured Fléville. On the left wing the 1st Corps occupied the heights south of Marcq and the woods of Cornay.

Meanwhile the troops of the French 4th Army on the left bank of the Aisne swept the Montcheutin—Vaux-lez-Mouron Plateau and, on the right bank, took Lançon, Grand-Ham and Senuc. The capture of the latter village gave them one of the gates of the Grandpré Pass. The junction of the French and American armies was effected at Lançon. On that day the Americans, from the Argonne to Chaume Wood, on the east of the Meuse, captured more than 2,000 prisoners, and the French 600, besides many guns.

On the 10th, the French crossed the Aisne opposite Termes, which they captured; they then occupied the railway-station of Grandpré, taking numbers of prisoners. The enemy, in danger of being cut off, evacuated the forest, pursued by the Americans, who, after progressing beyond Marcq and Chevières, linked up with the French before Grandpré. Further east, their line passed north of Sommerance and through the northern outskirts of Romagne Wood and Gesnes.

The arrival of American reinforcements in ever-increasing numbers enabled Pershing to extend his operations.

The American Second Army, which had just been constituted under the command of General Bullard, lined up on the right of the First Army (which had now passed under the command of General Liggett). To his command were joined the 33rd and 17th French Corps, wedged between the two American armies.

The three corps of the American First Army, after the promotion of Generals Liggett and Bullard, were commanded as follows: The 1st Corps by General Dickman, the 5th Corps by General Summerall, and the 3rd Corps by General Hines.

This was the state of affairs on October 14, when the general attack was launched.

The 1st Corps captured St. Juvin and reached the outskirts of St. Georges. In the centre the 5th Corps passed Cunel and Romagne, and reached the outskirts of Landres-St. Georges village. Along the Meuse, the 3rd Corps passed Forêt Wood, while on the east of the Meuse the French 17th Corps fought a violent engagement in the woods of Coures and Ormont.

The fight waxed furious. On the 16th, the Americans took the Hill of Châtillon and the village of Champigneulle, while on the following day they were definitely masters of Grandpré. To the west of the Argonne the French, who had entered Vouziers, on the 12th, after a very hard struggle and in spite of several counter-attacks, cleared Termes and entered Mouron. On the 14th, they drove the enemy back beyond the Grandpré—Vouziers road, and two days later took Talma and Hill 222 to the north-west. The Germans, whose resources were fast diminishing, made a desperate but unsuccessful resistance, and there was much confusion among the enemy units engaged in the valleys of the Aisne and the Aire. The battalions withdrawn from the firing line were hastily reorganised at the base, and at once despatched to the most critical points. The main positions were held by picked troops and especially by machine-gunners, whose numbers and stubbornness caused great ravage in the Allied ranks. From Grandpré to Rethel the country had been inundated. Apparently, the enemy were constructing a new line (the “Freyastellung”) to the north of the “Kriemhilde” position. The new line passed north of Landres and Bantheville, through Hazois Wood, the Farms of La Dhuy and Grand Carré, and along the northern slopes of the valley of the Andon, between Bantheville ad Cléry-le-Petit.

VARENNES. RENAULT TANKS WITH 1-1/2-IN. GUNS, USED BY THE AMERICAN FORCES

On the 17th, fierce fighting took place between Olizy and Grandpré; the French advanced north-west of Olizy, but after a violent bombardment were forced back from Talma by a counter-attack. On the 18th, they crossed the Aisne to the north-east and east of Vouziers, capturing Vandy and Pissois Farm and reaching the western outskirts of Chestres. Meanwhile, American patrols entered Loges Wood, Landres-St. Georges and Bantheville Wood, all of which had been abandoned by the enemy.

From the 19th to the 30th a desperate battle was fought to the east of Vouziers. Every advance was followed by German counter-attacks, the positions constantly changing hands. On the 19th, the French Fourth Army broke a vigorous German attack carried out by parts of seven different divisions. On the 19th and 20th, Chestres, Macquart Farm, Hill 193 to the east of Vandy, and Terron were taken, but the Germans recaptured the last-named village. On the 22nd, the French had reached the outskirts of Terron, the woods to the south-west of the Malva Farm, Landêves, Chamiot Farm, and the suburbs of Falaise. Terron, retaken by the Czecho-Slovaks, was held in spite of repeated German counter-attacks. To the west of Grandpré the positions were strengthened, while the Americans checked the Germans north of Bantheville and advanced into the woods of Loges and Bourgogne.

A period of calm followed, and thus ended the second stage of the offensive, during which the Americans had captured 7,000 prisoners and fifty guns.

(November 1—11, 1918.)

During the quiet days at the end of October, the Americans proceeded rapidly to reorganize their forces, so as to be ready, as soon as Foch should give the signal, for their part in the new Allied offensive.

ALLIED ARTILLERY CROSSING FLOODED DISTRICT NEAR VOUZIERS

THIRD STAGE OF THE FRANCO-AMERICAN OFFENSIVE; THE ALLIES’ PURSUIT OF THE RETREATING GERMANS UNTIL ARMISTICE DAY (NOV. 11, 1918)

In the north, the Belgians had just cleared their coast-line, and were menacing the enemy by an advance into the very heart of Belgium. The British had occupied Lille and broken down the defences of the Hindenburg Line. Meanwhile, the French, relentlessly driving back the retreating enemy, had entered Laon, after forcing the formidable bastion of the St. Gobain Forest.

On November 1, between Grandpré and the Meuse, the Americans had in line the following forces of the First Army (Liggett):

The 3rd Corps, composed of the 5th and 90th Infantry Divisions.

The 5th Corps, composed of the 89th and 2nd Infantry Divisions.

The 1st Corps, composed of the 80th, 77th and 78th Infantry Divisions.

Their right was prolonged by the French 17th (Active) Corps, which, with the 33rd (Active) Corps, was in liaison with their Second Army.

Facing these forces the Germans, under the command of Von der Marwitz, had massed three army corps between Buzancy and the Meuse, reinforced by two Austro-Hungarian divisions.

At 5.30 a.m. on November 1, the troops of the French Fourth Army (Gouraud) and those of the American First Army (Liggett), after a two hours’ bombardment of great violence, launched a fresh offensive.

The Americans attacked on the north, and, in spite of a stubborn resistance, advanced several kilometres, taking 3,600 prisoners and forty-four guns. The French attacked on the east, along a twelve-mile front, cleared the whole of the right bank of the Aisne, and bit into the Argonne, threatening on the right and in the rear the Germans, who, facing south, stood opposed to the Americans. 1,300 prisoners and a number of guns were captured. On November 1, the American 3rd Corps, on the right, seized Aincreville, approached Doulcon and took Andevanne and Cléry-le-Grand. In the centre, the 5th Corps captured Bayonville, Rémonville and Landres. On the left, the 1st Corps, in the face of the enemy’s fierce resistance, were only able to advance slightly in Loges Wood.

On the following day (November 2) the Americans vigorously followed up their attack. The 1st Corps, freed on its right by the advance of the 5th Corps on the previous day, pushed on boldly five miles beyond Thénorgues and Buzancy, while the French, on their side, carried half of the northern portion of the Argonne, reaching the Ballay-Longwé line on the east of Vouziers.

On the 3rd, the enemy, threatened with being surrounded, fell back. The Allies straightened their line towards the north, and advanced twelve miles in the centre. The line now passed through Semuy, the southern bank of the Ardennes Canal, the southern outskirts of Chesne, the course of the Bar as far as Châtillon, through Belleville, Authe, St. Pierremont, Sommauthe, Vaux-en-Dieulet, Belval, Le Champy-Bas, Beauclair, Montigny-devant-Sassey and Mont-devant-Sassey. In three days the Germans lost over 6,000 prisoners and 100 guns, and were driven back towards the Sedan-Mézières-Metz highway, the approaches to which were desperately defended. However, their resistance broke down before the continued push of the Allies.

Already the Allies’ heavy guns were steadily bombarding the Stenay, Montmédy and Longuyon Railways.

On November 4, the American 3rd Army Corps reached the Meuse between Villefranche and Stenay, while two solid bridgeheads were established at Brieulles and Cléry. The Germans, disconcerted by this rapid advance, withdrew to the right bank of the Meuse.

The two other American Corps followed up the advance, and on the 5th were within nine miles of Sedan, while the French advanced six miles north of the line of the Aisne. On the 8th, the French were the first to enter the suburbs of Sedan, and on the 9th they reached Mézières.

On the extreme right the Germans gave way before the impetuous attacks of the French 17th Corps, and after a violent engagement, were driven back, the next day, to the foot of the heights of the Meuse, south of Stenay.

TANKS PUT OUT OF ACTION, AFTER DESTROYING GERMAN MACHINE-GUN NEST NEAR BAYONVILLE(Nov. 7, 1918.)

TANKS PUT OUT OF ACTION, AFTER DESTROYING GERMAN MACHINE-GUN NEST NEAR BAYONVILLE

(Nov. 7, 1918.)

On the evening of November 10, the First American Army was to cross the Chiers and push on next day to Montmédy, when the Armistice on the 11th saved the German Army from destruction.

The spoils of the American Army during the last stage of the offensive comprised 5,000 prisoners, 250 guns, 2,000 machine-guns, in addition to enormous quantities of stores. In all, during the Meuse-Argonne Battle the Americans took 21,000 prisoners and 400 guns, which, added to their previous captures, amounted to 50,000 prisoners and over 1,000 guns. Seventy-eight German divisions were engaged during the battle, and the American casualties numbered 100,000 men.

Leave Verdun[1]by the Chaussée Gate. Beyond the ramparts, turn to the left into N. 64(leaving N. 3 in front, and, fifty yards further on, N. 18 on the right).

[1]For particulars concerning Verdun, Bras, Charny, Esnes, Malancourt, see The Michelin Illustrated Guide. “The Battle of Verdun.”

N. 64 follows the right bank of the Meuse, crosses the Faubourg of Belleville, climbs the Hill of Belleville Fort, and passes close to Froide-Terre Hill. Opposite standsBras, at the foot ofPoivre Hill.

To visit Verdun, Bras, Charny, Esnes, and Malancourt, see theMichelin Illustrated Guide: “The Battle of Verdun.”

THE FORT OF DOUAUMONT AND ITS APPROACHES(Photographed from aeroplane in May, 1916.)

THE FORT OF DOUAUMONT AND ITS APPROACHES

(Photographed from aeroplane in May, 1916.)

Extracted from The Michelin Illustrated Guide, “The Battle of Verdun.”

BRAS VILLAGE. FRENCH CEMETERY. POIVRE HILL IN BACKGROUND

At the entrance toBras,on the left, there is alarge French military cemetery (photo above).In the village, completely ruined,turn to the left into G.C. 38, which soon crosses the Est Canal and then the Meuse(on the right, under theruined bridge: fortifications and shelters).Charny,about one mile from Bras, is next reached.

G.C. 38 crosses the ruins of this village (level-crossing on leaving), then turns to the right, leaving the Thierville road opposite.

The road goes round the Heights of Vacherauville and Marre Forts, then enters the almost entirely ruined village ofMarre(about three miles from Charny).Turn to the left at the first houses, pass in front of theruined church,then turn to the right, leaving the Bourrus Woods road opposite.Follow the railway.

MARRE. G.C. 38 FROM CHARNY. RUINS OF CHURCH ON THE RIGHT

PANORAMIC VIEW OF ESNES AND HILL 304. THE SIDES OF THE HILL ARE FULL OF SHELTERS, ESPECIALLY ALONG G.C. 18

Panoramic View

Two kilometres beyond Marre, before Chattancourt Station, G.C. 38 turns to the left (leaving the Cumières road opposite), then, 1 km. from the fork in the road, reachesChattancourt(completely ruined)at the foot of Mort-Homme(photo below).

ALL THAT IS LEFT OF CHATTANCOURT. IN THE BACKGROUND: MORT-HOMME

On leaving the village, G.C. 38 turns to the left and climbs the side ofHill 275,from the top of which there isa fine view of Mort-Homme Hill and Hill 304;a little to the left, Montzéville village, situated in a hollow, and, behind, the Valley of the Meuse, Poivre Hill, Talou Hill and Samogneux, are also visible.

ESNES CHURCH, HILL 304 (LEFT) and G.C. 38 (BEHIND THE CHURCH)

The road next descends; at the sides arenumerous military works and French graves.2 km. 200 beyond Chattancourt there is a crossroad: the Montzéville road lies ahead, while G.C. 38, turning to the right, climbs a crest from which there isa view of Esnes and Hill 304.Esnes(4 km. 200 fromChattancourt), partly ruined,is reached: Panorama of Hill 304 (photo, pp.34-35).

WAYSIDE CROSS OF ESNES ON HILL 304. AVOCOURT ROAD (LEFT) AND MALANCOURT ROAD (RIGHT)

G.C. 38 passes in front of the church (photo, p. 35) and then rises towardsHill 304.1 km. from Esnes, near a wayside cross(photo above),is a fork;take the road on the right (G.C. 18) to the top ofHill 304.On the right there is a fine view ofthe Valley of the Meuse.

The road crosses the old front lines, then zigzags down toMalancourt(5 km. from Esnes).At the entrance to the village, on the right of the road, is aconcrete blockhouse (photo below).

GERMAN BLOCKHOUSE, WITH MACHINE-GUNS, AT ENTRANCE TO MALANCOURT

Malancourtwas completely devastated.Pass in front of the ruinsof the church, quite near to which there is another blockhouse.Keep along

CUISY-SUR-MEUSE. AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN FRONT OF RUINED CHURCHThe road on the left leads to Gercourt; that on the right to Béthincourt.

CUISY-SUR-MEUSE. AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN FRONT OF RUINED CHURCH

The road on the left leads to Gercourt; that on the right to Béthincourt.

G.C. 18, leaving on the left, in the village, the Avocourt road..ClimbHill 251,from the top of whichMontfaucon Ridgeis seen.

3 km. 400 beyond Malancourt (and 1 km. before Montfaucon) the road joins G.C. 19, which take to the right in the direction of Consenvoye.

One kilometer further on, at the fork, keep along G.C. 19, which turns to the left (the Cuisy road, straight ahead, is impassable). On the right, in a tiny valley, is seen the village ofCuisy, completely ruined.1 km. 200 further on, to the right, there is a road leading to Cuisy. G.C. 19, after rejoining the Septsarges road, reachesGercourt,5 km. beyond Cuisy.

Several concrete German defence-works are to be seen in Gercourt, while the ruins of the houses and church present a terrible scene of desolation (photo below). Opposite the church stands a house lined with concrete, in which the Germans had installed a telephone exchange.

Cuisy and Gercourt were within the German front lines from 1914, and were only retaken in 1918 during the American offensive of September 26.

RUINS OF GERCOURT CHURCHOn the right: G.C. 19, leading to Consenvoye.

RUINS OF GERCOURT CHURCH

On the right: G.C. 19, leading to Consenvoye.

DESTROYED GERMAN GUNS ONG.C.19, BETWEEN GERCOURT AND CONSENVOYE

The road turns to the right near the church. After leaving the village, it passes 500 yards to the left ofForges Wood, in which German batteries were posted. Large calibre guns destroyed by French artillery are still to be seen on the road, 1 km.from Gercourt(photo above).

On rejoining the road from Dannevoux (I.C. 23) turn to the right and follow the railway as far asConsenvoye(1 km. 800 from Gercourt),which is reached after crossing the Meuse and the canal.

Consenvoye, on the left bank of the Meuse, was connected with the right bank by a fine bridge, which the French blew up after the retreat from Charleroi. After the victory of the Marne, all efforts to dislodge the Germans from the village were unavailing, and until the German offensive of February 21, 1916, Consenvoye marked the limit of the advance on both sides. It was over this bridge that supplies were brought up for the sector on the left bank of the Meuse during the 1916 offensive. The village was retaken in the course of a brilliant combined action by the French and Americans during the offensive of October 7, 1918.

SIVRY-SUR-MEUSEThe Church and N. 64.

SIVRY-SUR-MEUSE

The Church and N. 64.

AMERICAN MONUMENT COMMEMORATING THE CROSSING OF THE MEUSE ON NOV. 1, 1918 (On I.C. 49, 3 km. from Vilosnes.)

Consenvoye suffered less than the other villages previously mentioned. Around the church, which was not severely damaged, are some soldiers’ graves.

Keep along past the church as far as N. 64, into which turn to the left. Follow the valley of the Meuse toSivry(4 km. from Consenvoye).

N. 64 crosses thepartly destroyed village,then runs alongside the canal and the Meuse to a fork in the road, 2 km. 500 from Sivry.Here leave N. 64

BRIEULLES-SUR-BAR, NOV. 4, 1918117th American Engineers(42nd Inf. Div.)Arrival of the Field Kitchen.

BRIEULLES-SUR-BAR, NOV. 4, 1918

117th American Engineers(42nd Inf. Div.)

Arrival of the Field Kitchen.

and take the Vilosnes road on the left, which continues alongside the Meuse. Part ofVilosnes(3 km. 500 from Sivry) was destroyed, but the church,which stands on a height, was not seriously damaged.

PANORAMIC VIEW OF DUN-SUR-MEUSE (LOWER TOWN) AND THE DOULCON—CLÉRY-LE-PETIT DISTRICT, AS SEEN FROM THE TERRACEOF THE CHURCH IN THE UPPER TOWN

PANORAMIC VIEW OF DUN-SUR-MEUSE (LOWER TOWN) AND THE DOULCON—CLÉRY-LE-PETIT DISTRICT, AS SEEN FROM THE TERRACE

OF THE CHURCH IN THE UPPER TOWN

Panoramic View

Near the church, take the road on the left across the canal and the Meuse, then beyond the level-crossing at Vilosnes Station turn into I.C. 49 on the right. Follow the railway, which is on the left bank of the Meuse.

Three kilometres from Vilosnes Station, on the right, between the road and Châillon Wood, there isan American monument commemorating the crossing of the Meuse on November 1, 1918 (photo, p. 39).Further on, at the entry toBrieulles,opposite the station, standsanother similar monument.

The outskirts of Brieulles were stubbornly defended by the Germans during the American offensive of September, 1918. On September 29, during the first stage of the offensive, the American 3rd Corps reached the southern outskirts of the village, but were unable to enter it. It was not until October 9 that the American troops, after a fierce struggle, captured it.

At the station, turn to the left along the road through Brieulles (4 km. 500 from Vilosnes). Pass near the church, leaving the Nantillois road on the left. Cross the village, in whicha number of the houses are in ruins.The rising road leads to thecemetery (numerous German graves),then descends to the I.C. 64, which runs beside the railway and the Meuse toCléry-le-Petit(3 km. 500 from Brieulles).Before entering the village, a third American monumentis seen on the left.

CHURCH OF DUN-SUR-MEUSE. SOUTH FRONT

PANORAMIC VIEW OF DUN-SUR-MEUSE UPPER AND LOWER TOWNS

Panoramic View

DUN-SUR-MEUSE. BRIDGE ACROSS THE MEUSE DESTROYED BY THE GERMANS

Cléry-le-Petit was slightly damaged. On November 4, 1918, the Americans reached the Meuse between Brieulles and Villefranche. On September 5, they crossed the river at Brieulles and Cléry, on foot-bridges built by the American engineers, in spite of the stubborn resistance of the Germans established on the right bank. It was the American 5th Division which first effected the crossing of the river and established solid bridgeheads at Cléry and Brieulles,which resisted every attack.Keep straight on, leaving the church on the right, and the Cléry-le-Grand road on the left.After crossing the little River Andon, Dun-sur-Meuse on the top of the opposite hill comes into view.The G.C.2bis near Doulcon is reached, which take to the right as far asDun-sur-Meuse(3 km. from Cléry-le-Petit).

DUN-SUR-MEUSE. DAMAGED NAVE AND SOUTH AISLE OF CHURCH (SEEN FROM THE CHOIR)

BANTHÉVILLE. RUINS OF CHURCH AND VILLAGE(G.C.2bis.)

BANTHÉVILLE. RUINS OF CHURCH AND VILLAGE

(G.C.2bis.)

The town is reached after crossing first the railway (l.c.) near the station, then the canal and the Meuse (photos, pp. 42-43). Motor-cars can climb as far as the church. Turn to the left beyond the last bridge in the lower town, then take the first street on the right, which by a wide bend and a steep ascent leads to the upper town and to the terrace, where stands the church.There is a fine view over the lower town and the valley of the Meuse (photo, pp.40-41) from here.

Return to and recross the bridges; keep straight on toDoulcon,leaving the Cléry road on the left.

At the fork in the road beyond Doulcon(in ruins),take G.C. 2 bis on the left, as far asRomagne(9 km. from Doulcon),passing throughAincreville(severely damaged) andBanthéville(completely ruined).

ROMAGNE. RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD COMING FROM BANTHÉVILLE(On the left: I.C. 4, leading to Sommerance.)

ROMAGNE. RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD COMING FROM BANTHÉVILLE

(On the left: I.C. 4, leading to Sommerance.)

ROMAGNE. GERMAN GRAVEYARD (700 GRAVES) NEAR VILLAGE CEMETERY

Before enteringRomagne,on the right, there isa large German cemetery and some American graves.

Most of the houses in Romagne were destroyed.Near the church(in ruins),take on the left the Cunel road and cross the bridge. 300 yards from the villagethere suddenly comes into view on the side of the hilla very large American cemetery containing some 28,000 graves(photo, pp. 14 and 15).Return by the same road to Romagne Church, and take the Sommerance road(photo, p. 44)on the left.

SOMMERANCE. RUINED CORNER OF VILLAGE AT JUNCTION OF THE ROMAGNE AND FLÉVILLE ROADS

Pass the other side of the German cemetery(photo above),then go throughRomagne Wood, in which are numerous German dug-outs and gun-emplacements.Next cross a large plateau(Hill 247);7 km. 400 beyond Romagne,Sommerance(damaged houses)is reached(photo below).In the village,

AMERICAN MONUMENT (1ST DIV., OCT. 11, 1918)On I.C. 4, 1 km. from Sommerance village.

beyond the public washing place near the church, take the street(I.C. 4)which ascends on the right. 1 km. beyond Sommerance, on the right of I.C. 4, there is another American monument (1st Division, October 11, 1918) (photo above).

3 km. 200 beyond Sommerance,Landresvillage (severely damaged) is reached. During the American offensive of October 14, 1918, the approach to Landres was fiercely contested. The American 5th Corps reached the outskirts of the village on October 14, but it was only on the 18th, after three days’ heavy fighting, that Landres was taken. The church was partially destroyed.Turn to the right beyond the church and then to the left. After crossing the stream, turn to the right again, and 100 yards further on, to the left.

One kilometer beyond the village, at the fork in the road, take I.C. 15 on the left across a plateau, and through thepretty little village ofLandrevillein the Valley of the Agron. At the entrance to this village, on the left, there isan interesting château with turrets, one of which was destroyed (photo, p. 47),Bayonville,5 km. beyond Landres, is next reached.

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