Chapter 10

FARM SET ON FIRE AT CHAMPGUYON

A third witness declared: "On the night of September 6 I was with my two daughters and Mme. Lhomme in hiding under the stairs of the cellar of Mme. Macé, a widow. Groups of German soldiers kept passing round the house, and some had even come into the cellar without discovering us. Between 11 p.m. and midnight, one of these bands having found women's clothes in a cupboard, came towards our hiding-place. As they had seen us, Mme. Macé exclaimed: 'Do you wish to kill old women?' To which they replied: 'No, no harm to grandmother,' and pushed her on one side. They next tried to push me aside, crying 'Fraulein all naked,' but could not move me. One of them then shouldered his rifle. I raised my arm to strike up the muzzle, but he was too quick for me, and, taking advantage of the space thus disclosed between the young girls and myself, lowered his arm and fired. Mme. Lhomme was wounded in the left arm by a ball which then shattered the left arm of my daughter Marcelle, aged 27 years. She died between 4 and 5 o'clock on the afternoon of September 7."

In the Place de l'Église, turn to the right, then immediately afterwards to the left towards Champguyon. The road(G.C. 48)shortly afterwards traverses a level-crossing and passes alongside the cemeterywhich contains the remains of many French soldiers. This road was the one followed by the Germans when they fell back on Montmirail, before the French.

Traverse the long street ofChampguyon(53 km.)which suffered much from the bombardment, but more from the fire started by the enemy. The view above was taken in the courtyard of a farm, which stands on the left of the road, a little this side of the church. The view below shows a ruined house, being one of a group about 1 km. further on.

Several of the inhabitants were murdered. The widow of one, Mme. Louvet, thus related the death of her husband:

BURNT HOUSES, CHAMPGUYON

"About 5 p.m. on September 6, my husband, whom the Germans were dragging along and striking with sticks, called to me, exclaiming: 'My wife, my poor wife.' I ran and kissed him through our garden gate, but was roughly repulsed by his captors, and fell. My poor husband was in a piteous state, blood streaming from his ears. He begged for mercy and asked: 'What harm have I done you?' He also cried out: 'Colonel, colonel.' I could not help him, for the Germans who were torturing him were from ten to fifteen in number, and kept their rifles pointed at my throat. They bore off their victim to the end of the village, doubtless to put an end to him. The next evening about 5 p.m., I found the unfortunate Louvet. His head was horribly smashed, one eye was out of its socket, and one of his wrists was broken. He was almost unrecognisable."

Continue to followG. C. 48,then take, on the right at the cross-roads, G. C. 46leading toMorsains(56 km.). Arrived at the latter, turn tothe right beyond the church. This road is theG.C. 47.Cross through the village, and before arriving at Perthuis, turn to the left at the cross-roads. At Perthuis (58 km.) turn to the right, and, traverse the locality, turning again to the right on leaving it.We thus leave the theatre of operations of the First French Corps and enter that of the Tenth Corps. On the right of the horizon may be seen the Forest du Gault, on the borders of which the Tenth Corps engaged furious combats with the Tenth German (Reserve) Corps.

GRAVE IN A SAND-PIT

On reachingLa Rue-le-Comte(59½ km.) traverse it throughout, as also a level-crossing, in order to arrive atLe Gault-la-Forêt(60½ km.). Pass through it.Several of its houses were burnt by the Germans, who also shot the old rural policeman.

BATTLEFIELD OF CHARLEVILLE

At the cross roads at the end of the village, turn to the right, then immediately afterwards to the left, going round the church. After reaching the hamlet ofLe Recoude(63 km.), the western portion of which was damaged by bombardment,turn to the left on entering and traverse the village from one end to the other.

CHARLEVILLE CHURCH

During the morning, on September 6, the left of the Tenth French Corps, after penetrating the Forest du Gault, reached the road which the tourist has been following between La Rue-le-Comte and Le Recoude. In the afternoon it was obliged to retire into the forest, but on the following day it attacked again, took numerous prisoners in the forest, and carried the line which it had occupied the day before. It was from this line that it set off on the 8th to continue its advance to the north-east. G. C. 47continues in the direction of Charleville. Before entering the village, stop the car at the mile-stone "6 km. 2," 20 yards before arriving at the first isolated house.

Take on foot the path on the left, which leadsto the grave seen in the photograph on p.155, and which is about 150 yards distant. This grave made in a sand-pit contains the bodies of 180 officers and men who fell in theengagements at Charleville. 50yards further onmay be seen from the path and to the left, the view shown in the photograph on p.155.

CHARLEVILLE CHURCH

The French occupied a trench dug under the line of trees seen on the left; the Germans were installed on the hills which shut in the horizon. It was only on September 8, after three days' fighting, that the 20th Division was able to dislodge the enemy from these slopes.

Return to the car and enterCharleville(66½ km.). The church, seen in the photographs on p.155and opposite, was much damaged by the German bombardment.Walk round it, then enter.

Although the neighbouring villages of La Villeneuve and Le Recoude changed hands several times, Charleville, which had been taken on the 6th by the 20th Division, remained in the possession of the French. The fighting was extremely fierce all round the village, and particularly on the spot indicated above where the 2nd Infantry Regiment distinguished itself.

Continue to follow G. C. 47, leaving on the right the road which leads through the village. At the next cross-roads bear to the right and continue untilLa Villeneuve(68½ km.) is reached.

Numerous houses were destroyed by the French and German bombardments. The church, as may be seen in the photograph below, is in ruins. La Villeneuve was where the Fifth and Ninth French Armies joined. It was occupied by the 42nd Division on the evening of September 5. On the 6th it passed from hand to hand: lost at 8 a.m., retaken at 9 a.m.; lost again towards midday, and finally re-conquered at nightfall by the French.

LA VILLENEUVE CHURCH

On the 7th the struggle was equally obstinate and violent. La Villeneuve was again taken and retaken. It was only on the 8th that the 42nd Division succeeded in breaking the German resistance, and advanced northwards. The principal obstacle had been a howitzer battery installed beyond the Morin, near Le Thoult (5 km. from La Villeneuve.) It rained shells on this locality and also prevented the Tenth Corps from advancing from Charleville.

This battery was marked down, thanks to the knowledge of the country possessed by the "curé" of La Villeneuve,l'Abbé Laplaige. From an attic window he discovered, by means of field-glasses, the spot from which the shots were fired, and pointed it out to the officer commanding the French batteries. The Germans were soon reduced to silence, and progress became possible for the 42nd Division at La Villeneuve and the Tenth Corps at Charleville.

WINDMILL WATER-PUMP AT LA VILLENEUVE

Near the middle of the village, take on the left, skirting the drinking-pond, the "Chemin vicinal" leading to Corfélix and Le Thoult.The windmill pump, seen in the photograph above, will soon be perceived, near a group of ruined houses. It was from the upper platform of the pump that the officer commanding the French artillery, guided by the Abbé Laplaige, directed the fire which destroyed the German battery at Le Thoult, The rising ground of the left bank of the Morin, which attains a height of 670 ft. directly north of La Villeneuve, hid the whereabouts of the German guns on the right bank on Hill 189. The elevated structure of the pump made an ideal observatory and compensated for the height of the ground on the left bank of the river.

Return by the same path to the drinking-pond and take, on the left, G. C. 47,leading to Chapton. On the right of the road are the woods of Bois-de-la-Ville, on the left those of La Braule. The troops of the 42nd Division fought desperate engagements in these woods during the alternatives of retreat and advance from September 6 to 8.Pass throughChapton(72½ km.), which marked the utmost limit of the direct German advance on Sézanne.

SÉZANNE CHURCH

Shortly afterwards, on arriving at the main road(N. 51),turn to the right and descend into Sézanne, which suddenly comes into view at the foot of the hill, and makes a pretty picture. It was to attain this edge of the plateau, which commands a wide horizon, that the Germans made such desperate efforts on either side of N. 51, efforts which were, however, rendered vain by the admirable resistance of the 42nd Division.

Enter Sézanne (80 km.) by the Rue d'Épernay, then turn to the right into the Rue de la Halle leading to the Place de la République.Here is the church (view opposite).From thence we seek out the hotel where we intend to dine and sleep (see plan, p.158).

The most interesting sight is the church (historical monument), a view of which is given on p.157. It dates from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. To visit the interior, enter by the little door opening on to the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, and opposite an old well enclosed within a wrought-iron railing.

The stone reredos, against the wall on the left on entering, is worthy of note. An interesting walk is to follow the line of the ancient fortifications now changed into a public promenade. The most interesting part is the "Mail des Cordeliers" to the north.

SÉZANNE

(65 km.)viaBroyes,Allemant,Broussy,Bannes,Coizard,Congy,Champaubert,Baye,Saint-Prix,Oyes,Reuves,Mondement.

(65 km.)

viaBroyes,Allemant,Broussy,Bannes,Coizard,Congy,Champaubert,Baye,Saint-Prix,Oyes,Reuves,Mondement.

CHÂTEAU DES PUCELLES

This part of the tour should be done in the morning, for the region of the marshes is devoid of hotels, even of inns, and, tourists must therefore return to Sézanne for lunch. After lunch, we set out for Fère-Champenoise, ascend the valley of the Somme, to arrive at Châlons-sur-Marne for dinner and bed.

Leaving the hotel, re-cross the Place de la République and take on the left the Rue de la Halle, continued by the Rue de Broyes. The latter turns suddenly to the left (the street which continues in the former direction is the Rue de Châlons). The road(G. C. 39)skirts the cemetery and mounts towardsBroyes, through which we pass, leaving the church on the left (5½ km.). On a level with the church, take the street on the right, and 300 yards further on we encounter the old "Castle des Pucelles," seen in the photograph above.

General Humbert, commanding the Moroccan Division, established his headquarters in this castle on September 7, Mondement Castle having become uninhabitable. It was from here, when Mondement had been taken by the Germans, that he directed the counter-attacks which drove them from it. The "Castle des Pucelles" is perched on the edge of the plateau dominating almost vertically the immense plain of the Aube. Mondement is only 3½ km. distant. One can easily realise how tragic was the situation during the days of September 8 and 9, 1914, of the troops standing at bay at Broyes, and understand the savage fury with which they attacked Mondement.

Quitting the "Castle des Pucelles," continue straight alongG. C. 39,leaving on the left the "Chemin vicinal" leading to Mondement (we shall follow it in the opposite direction on our return).

TraverseAllemant Woodsand the village of that name, through which we pass, leaving the church (9 km.) on the right. From its steeple in 1814 Napoléon watched the battle which was raging in the plain below.After the first group of houses comes a fork in the road; the one on the right descends into the plain, that on the left goes towards the marshes of Saint-Gond.

Before taking the latter, turn to the right on the crest for a few steps in order to contemplate in its entirety the beautiful view reproduced in thepanoramas on pp.160to 163.

I.PANORAMA OF ALLEMANTAllemantBroyes Church-TowerAllemant Church-TowerThis part of the panorama fits on to the right of panorama II (p.161).

I.PANORAMA OF ALLEMANT

This part of the panorama fits on to the right of panorama II (p.161).

The plain which stretches at our feet, as far as the eye can reach, right up to the Aube, and of which the panoramas on pages160to 163 give a good idea, was the stake in the battle which for five days engaged the army of Foch and those of Von Bulow and Von Hausen. The heights whose crest we have been following since leaving Sézanne assured its control. From there the Germans with their powerful artillery would have been able to destroy the French Corps which had withdrawn to the plain. They would also have been able to manœuvre freely in order to fall on the rear of the army of Espérey on the west, and that of Langle de Cary on the east. The whole plan of the battle of the Marne would have collapsed. The nature of the ground permits us to understand the particular violence of the struggle at this point: the Germans ready to sacrifice everything in order to attain the heights, the French disputing fiercely every inch of the ground.

II.PANORAMA OF THE PLAIN OF THE AUBE.N. 34 between Fère and SézanneN. 34 between Fère and SézanneAllemantPéasThis part of the panorama fits on to the left of panorama I (p.160).

II.PANORAMA OF THE PLAIN OF THE AUBE.

This part of the panorama fits on to the left of panorama I (p.160).

III.PANORAMA OF THE PLAIN OF FÈRE-CHAMPENOISE.Mont ChalmontN. 34 betweenFère and SézanneLinthesPleursLinthellesN. 34 between Fère and SézanneSaint-LoupThis part of the panorama fits on to the left of panorama II (page160).

III.PANORAMA OF THE PLAIN OF FÈRE-CHAMPENOISE.

This part of the panorama fits on to the left of panorama II (page160).

While attacking the height on its front, from the south bank of the Marshes (see the panorama on pages182-183), the Germans also tried to outflank it on the east.

We have seen in the general account of the battle how prodigious were their efforts to cross the Somme, which formed a covering line, and then to debouch from Fère-Champenoise. This locality is hidden behind Mont Chalmont, on the left of the panorama above. This manœuvre very nearly succeeded. During the day of September 9, the soldiers occupying the promontory, where stands the tourist, saw to the north in the direction of the Marshes, the advancing Germans arrive within firing distance of the farthest trench. If they turned their eyes eastwards, they saw the 17th Division falling back on Mont Chalmont (panorama above) and the artillery take up its position on the western slope. Further south, debouching from the screen formed by this ridge, the firing line came into view spreading towards Linthes and Pleurs. The terrible anxiety of these hours of waiting only ceased when the 42nd Division came into action.

The fine strategic movement of the 42nd (see p.14) is easy to follow. The Division gained the plain from the plateau north of Sézanne which we traversed yesterday. The infantry descended the slopes of Broyes and Allemant. The military wagons followed the N. 34 and the railway which skirts this road. The batteries stopped on the way at Broyes, in order to take part in the bombardment of Mondement Castle. The division formed up between Linthes, Linthelles and Pleurs, and it was from this point that it began its attack. The tourist may picture to himself these red and blue columns marching eastwards under a violent artillery fire, and causing the German troops, bewildered by the arrival of these unexpected French reinforcements, to disappear again behind the ridge. The villages of Péas (panorama II) and Saint-Loup (panorama III) served as shelters for the reserves of the Ninth Corps. Much-tried companies withdrew there to reform. It was from Saint-Loup that the 77th Infantry Regiment started forth to take Mondement. Leaving their dinner which was warming, these gallant fellows stormed the slopes of Allemant and of Broyes in order to take in this action the heroic part explained on p.117.

RejoinG. C. 39.The long dike of the marshes of Saint-Gond becomes visible almost immediately.From this distance nothing indicates the marshes, whose reeds are lost to view among the crops; one can only distinguish the line of the Petit Morin, marked by poplar trees, which traverses the depression from one end to the other.

After passing a small group of houses, take, at the cross-roads, the road on the left descending towards the marshes. We can perceive Mont-Août first in front, then to the right. This solitary little hill played an important part in the battle. There, until September 9, the 17th Division resisted all attacks from the north and from the east.

FollowG. C. 39,and arriving atBroussy-le-Grand(16 km.), pass through it.Held first by the Moroccan Division, Broussy was carried by the Germans after a fierce struggle. The French troops were thrown back on the slopes of Allemant which we have just descended. There are still many ruined houses in Broussy.

The road now turns towardsBannes(19 km.).Across the plain which stretches south and east of Bannes, the 17th and 52nd Divisions fought desperate engagements to prevent the Germans from breaking through the marshes. On the 8th, the French front, which followed the boundary of the marshes from east to west, was pushed back with violence. The left remained in the neighbourhood of Bannes, but the centre drew back to Mont-Août, and the right to the south of this hill. On the 9th, Mont-Août fell in its turn. Between Bannes and Mont-Août, in a trench, numerous letters and telegrams and a box bearing the address of Prince Eitel, son of Wilheim II., were found.

Many new roofs are to be seen in Bannes, a proof of the violence of the bombardment.

At the cross-roads at the entrance to the village, turn to the left towards the Marshes and Coizard, to whichG. C. 43leads us.

VIEW OF THE MARSHES

The above photograph gives an aspect of this marshy region. The line of poplars crossing it follows the course of the Morin. The heights on the horizon are those of Toulon-la-Montagne and Vert-la-Gravelle. They were occupied on September 6 by the outposts of the 17th Division, who, however, could not hold them. The Germans then installed batteries there which swept all the south-east portion of the marshes. In spite of this fact, on the same day a battalion of the 77th Line Regiment tried to retake the heights.

We are now following the course of the attacking troops who left Bannes under a murderous fire from the heavy artillery and machine-guns. When the road became too dangerous, they entered the marshes and advanced painfully up to their waists in water. Some disappeared suddenly, swallowed up by the bogs. They succeeded eventually in reaching Coizard and, after fighting in the streets and houses, drove off the Germans, and began to assail the slopes which dominate the village. But the enemy had here a crushing superiority, and after a seven-hours' fight the French were obliged to retire across the marshes, pursued by the dropping fire of the batteries on the northern bank which raked the narrow causeways. The Germans wished to push home their advantage and take foot on the southern bank, and accordingly began to cross the marshes by the Coizard-Bannes road. Their losses were heavy, for the machine-guns and "75's" directed a cross-fire on them. They came on nevertheless and reached Bannes, but when they endeavoured to advance on Mont-Août, they were met by so fierce a fire that they were obliged to draw back into the village. Mont-Août did not fall until September 9, having been outflanked on the south.

DESTROYED BRIDGE OVER THE MORIN

Cross the Morin, whose bridge was destroyed at the beginning of the battle (photograph opposite), then leaving the soft ground of the marshes, cross one of the drained partswhose number increases every year; thus reducing considerably the original swamp which comprised all the hollow.

COIZARD CHURCH

On reachingCoizard, turn first to the left, then to the right in order to arrive at the church (24 km.).

The villages on the north of the marshes suffered less than those on the south, for the French bombardment was less intense than the German. A few houses were however destroyed in Coizard (view above).

Turn to the left this side of the church (the road, is visible in the above photograph) and continue to followG. C. 43for 1 km. as far asJoches. At the corner of the farm, of which the view below shows the interior, and which was burnt by the Germans,turn to the right towards Congy, thus leaving the marshes.

(If pressed for time, instead of turning to the right, continue on the road, along the marshes by Courjeonnet and Villevenard, thus reaching Saint-Prix. The distance by the direct road is about 6 km.; going round by Congy it is 16 km.).

InCongy(30 km.) follow the main street, turning to the right before reaching the town-hall, then to the left to cross the railway.

On September 5 and 6 the Ninth Corps, who still had outposts at Toulon and at Vert, tried to extend its line towards Congy. Blondlat's Brigade of the Moroccan Division crossed to the north bank and attempted to gain Congy by Joches and Courjeonnet. The difficulties were great, for the German artillery swept the slopes. The attack failed in the end and the brigade was obliged to re-cross the marshes. During the battle the German heavy guns on the heights commanding Congy pounded the French positions on the opposite side of the marshes.

About 2 km. beyond Congy we meet the "Route nationale" 33 and turn into it, to the left, towardsChampaubert, which is 2.7 km. further on.

BURNT FARM AT JOCHES

On the left is the column commemorating Napoléon's victory in 1814. Champaubert Farm where he slept is a grey house with red-brick facings standing opposite the column on N. 33.

On arriving at the column, turn to the left into N. 51, in the direction of Baye.

BAYE CHURCH

In Baye (37½ km.) on the left is to be seen the interesting thirteenth century church, which has recently been restored (photograph opposite), 900yards further on is the castle, of which a view is given below. It was the birthplace of Marion Delorme, who there passed a tranquil childhood before becoming acquainted with the feverish life of the courtesan.

The castle is the property of the Baron de Baye, and contained many rich archæological and artistic treasures. It was inhabited by a member of the German Imperial family from September 5 to 9, and was pillaged methodically.

The following is the report of the Inquiry Commission:

"Having repaired to Baye Castle, we verified the traces of the pillage which this edifice has suffered. On the first floor, a door leading to a room which adjoins the gallery where the proprietor had amassed valuable works of art had been broken in; four glass cases had been broken, another opened. According to the declarations of the caretaker, who, in her master's absence, was not able to inform us of the full extent of the damage, the principal objects stolen were Russian gems and gold medals. We noticed that tablets covered with black velvet, belonging doubtless to the glass cases, had been dismantled of part of the jewels which they formerly bore.

"The Baron of Baye's room was in a state of great disorder. Numerous objects were strewn about on the floor and in drawers which had been left open. A flat-topped secrétaire had been broken into. A Louis XVI. 'commode' and round-topped desk of the same period had been rifled. This room was doubtless occupied by a person of high rank, for on the floor still remained chalked the following inscription: 'I. K. Hoheit.' Nobody could tell us exactly who was this 'Highness,' but a general who lodged in the house of M. Houillier, one of the town councillors, told his host that the castle had sheltered the Duke of Brunswick (William II.'s son-in law) and the staff of the Tenth Corps."

BAYE CASTLE

N. 51 now descends into the valley of the Petit Morin. From September 5 to 9, the German reserves followed closely on each other along this road, hastening to the attack on the Plateau of Sézanne.

After having passed the little station of Talus-Saint-Prix, we arrive at the bridge over the Morin.

THE MORIN NEAR THE MARSHES

This bridge, forming the narrow bottle-neck in which the German attack was to be precipitated, constitutes one of the most interesting points of the battlefield. It is here that the marshes come to an end, and the Morin continues its course along a gradually narrowing valley. The view above, taken from the bridge eastwards, shows the river leaving the marshes. The tree stump in the foreground, which has now disappeared, recalls the successive bombardments, French and German, which the bridge experienced. The other view is taken westwards.

From the heights which form the background of the two photographs, the German cannon rained shells on the French positions on the southern edge of the marshes.

THE MORIN LEAVING THE MARSHESRoad from CorfélixTalus-Saint-Prix

THE MORIN LEAVING THE MARSHES

THE HEIGHTS OF SAINT-PRIX (to the west of the road)Crête du PoirierThe Chapel of Saint-Prix

THE HEIGHTS OF SAINT-PRIX (to the west of the road)

The heights of Saint-Prix form the northern edge of the Plateau of Sézanne, on which depended the liaison between the Fifth and Ninth French Armies. The Germans had bitten into the plateau on the west and on the north-west at Esternay, Charleville, and La Villeneuve, which we have already visited. They tried to complete their success by attacking also on the point now before us.

On the left of the road (view above) may be seen the little Chapel of Saint-Prix, below Botrait Woods. On the bare part of the summit are the remains of the trenches in which the Germans had placed machine-guns. Further to the left is the "Crête du Poirier" which was so bitterly disputed. To the right of the road (view below) appear the woods of the Grandes-Garennes which clothe the heights towards Corfélix.

Woods of Grandes-GarennesValley of the Morin towards CorfélixPetit MorinTHE HEIGHTS OF SAINT-PRIX (to the east of the road)

THE HEIGHTS OF SAINT-PRIX (to the east of the road)

CHAPEL AT SAINT-PRIX.

On N. 51, in the Woods of Botrait and the Grandes-Garennes, attacks and counter-attacks followed each other during four days. The thickets were the scene of fierce hand-to-hand struggles. In the rare clearings the combatants sheltered themselves in hastily-dug trenches. This stubborn resistance exasperated the Germans; and after the battle witnesses found a company of Algerian sharp-shooters whose brains had been beaten out by blows from the butt-end of rifles. This fact is vouched for by the Inquiry Commission. Other corpses belonging to the same regiment had been placed in a ring round a fire which had burnt all the heads.

The battle continued until the French, after having silenced the German guns at Le Thoult and Corfélix (see p.157), finally reached Corfélix and the Morin. Advancing along the valley (seen in the views at the foot of p.167, and at the top of p.168), they debouched on the flank of the enemy's troops deeply engaged in the interior of the Plateau of Sézanne.

The manœuvre of September 9 was decisive. Attacked on flank and front, and driven from the woods, the Germans re-crossed the Morin; while their rearguards fought desperate covering engagements, of which the chapel and its little cemetery (seen in the view above), the machine-gun trench (seen in the photograph at the top of p.167), and the neighbourhood of the station of Talus-Saint-Prix were, in particular, witnesses. The retreat however continued briskly, and on September 10 the Tenth Corps, which had performed the outflanking movement, was able, setting forth from the Champaubert-Saint-Prix front, to sweep the whole of the north of the marshes.

GRAVES AT SOIZY.

Follow the zig-zags whichN. 51makes to climb the slope and continue towardsSoizy-aux-Bois(45 km.).On this road, and in the woods which border it, the 42nd Division met with a repulse at the hands of the German troops who, on the 7th, took Soizy and even pushed on to Chapton (we passed through this village before arriving at Sézanne). On the 8th, the 162nd Line Regiment counter-attacked and carried Soizy at the point of the bayonet; and on the 9th, as we have seen above, the Germans were driven back across the Morin.

Soizy still shows the ruins of houses destroyed by bombardment or fire.After glancing at them return to theentrance to the village and take (on the left looking towards Soizy) G. C. 44 in the direction of Oyes.

I.PANORAMA OF THE "CRÊTE DU POIRIER" AND BOTRAIT WOODSBotrait Woods.Crête du Poirier.North bank of Marshes.

I.PANORAMA OF THE "CRÊTE DU POIRIER" AND BOTRAIT WOODS

Almost immediately after, on the left, below the level of the road, may be seen two large graves, where the French soldiers who fell during the combats at Soizy were buried (view p.169). The Germans were buried to the right of these graves.

Cross through the woods of Saint-Gond.Sign-posts indicate that military graves exist in the thickets, and recall the hand-to-hand struggles which took place here during the fluctuations of the battle round Soizy.

Descend again towards the marshesbetween the "Crête du Poirier" on the left and the heights on Montgivroux on the right. Before arriving at Oyes there appears on the left a chalky road with a quarry on its right, leading to the top of a hill.

II.PANORAMA OF THE MARSHES AND THEIR NORTH BANKCourjeonnetPetit MorinPetit MorinCoizardToulon-la-Montagne

II.PANORAMA OF THE MARSHES AND THEIR NORTH BANK

III.PANORAMA OF THE MARSHES AND THEIR SOUTH BANKBroussy-le-GrandMont-AoûtReuvesOyes

III.PANORAMA OF THE MARSHES AND THEIR SOUTH BANK

Follow this road, on the left of which are remains of trenches.150 yards from its commencement may be seen an interesting view, of which the photographs on pp.170-171give fragments.

The summit on which we now stand is connected by a little valley with the summit of the Poirier seen on panorama I. These two heights constituted on the north the advanced line of defence of the heights of Mondement. Panorama IV. shows the position of Mondement which will be visited in due course. The castle and the church may be perceived. The road in the foreground, in the centre of this panorama, is the one which we took to climb the hill.

IV.PANORAMA OF MONDEMENTAllemant WoodsMondement CastleMondement Church

IV.PANORAMA OF MONDEMENT

ENTRANCE TO THE PRIORY OF SAINT-GOND

The line of the Poirier was the object of furious combats. The "tirailleurs" of the Moroccan Division had dug trenches there in order to protect themselves against the withering fire of heavy and light artillery which the Germans directed from the north of the marshes. When the Germans had succeeded in crossing the Morin by the bridge at Saint-Prix, they penetrated into Botrait woods (panorama I.) and attacked the Poirier. They drove the sharp-shooters from the summit, and then from the southern slopes where the latter had made a stand. On September 8 a bayonet charge brought the Poirier again into the possession of the sharp-shooters, but the German artillery rendered the position untenable, and they were obliged to evacuate it and fall back on the heights of Mondement-Montgivroux. At the same time Blondlat's Brigade which held Oyes and Reuves (panorama III.), was thrown back on the Allemant Woods by superior forces which had managed to cross the marshes.

The position of Mondement had thus lost all advanced protection and so fell on the following day, but the same evening it was retaken (see pp.176-178), and from this moment the battle was lost for the Germans. The Tenth Corps, by means of its outflanking movement described on p.169, obliged them to re-cross the Morin at Saint-Prix (below Botrait Woods, panorama I.). The flank of the marshes was thus turned. During the night of the 9th-10th, the German troops hurriedly regained the northern edge by the causeways running from Oyes, Reuves, and Broussy (panorama III.).

RejoinG. C. 44and turn to the left towards Oyes (50 km.).The village still bears traces of the bombardment during its heroic defence by Blondlat's Brigade.Turn to the right, thus leaving the church on the left, and, passing through the village, turn to the left to regain the marshes, in the middle of which stands the oldPriory of Saint-Gond. The entrance, seen in the photograph above, is on the right of the road (51 km.).

INTERIOR OF THE PRIORY OF SAINT-GOND

Saint-Gond, who gave his name to the marshes, was a seventh century hermit. Charmed by the solitude of the spot, he there founded a little monastery. Destroyed during the barbaric invasions, then rebuilt, it became an abbey and later a priory, after which its decline was rapid. All that remains to-day consists of the entrance (view above), and in the interior, a door (seen on the opposite view behind the Abbé Millard). The Abbé Millard who occupied the priory is an elderly ecclesiastic who divides his time between studies and rural tasks. In the photographs on this page he is seen in the simple apparel which he prefers. He is a distinguished historian and member of several learned societies.

REUVES CHURCH AFTER THE BOMBARDMENT

The Abbé Millard, who was recovering from a long illness, reluctantly left his hermitage a little before the arrival of the Germans. The sharp-shooters had established on the road opposite his house a barricade flanked by machine-guns behind which they tried to stem the German advance; but the latter surmounted this obstacle and advanced on Oyes.

Leaving the priory, we come across the road which runs from Villevenard, on the right of the marshes, to Oyes and Reuves, on the left.This was the road taken by the Germans who attacked Oyes and Reuves for three days. They suffered heavy losses from the fire of the French artillery which swept Villevenard and the causeways, but came resolutely on and carried the two villages on September 8, in spite of the heroic defence of Blondlat's Brigade.

At the cross-roads turn to the right towardsReuves(53 km.) and traverse its length.It suffered terribly. The views on this page show the state of the church after the bombardment.

Turn to the right at the end of the village, leaving on the left the road which continues to follow the edge of the marshes in the direction of Broussy.This village fell at the same time as Oyes and Reuves, having been attacked by the German troops coming down from Joches and Coizard.Immediately on leaving the village, take, on the left, G. C. 45and make towardsMondement.

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