Chapter 16

FARM, VAUX-MARIE

Continuing along the road, after leaving the farm, go over first one level-crossing, then another.The line runs between embankments, and was utilised as a line of defence. French and German graves (seen in centre of this page) were dug along the slope. On the right of the road is Hill 302, on the left Hill 293, which were comprised in the line of resistance of the Twelfth Division of the Sixth Corps on September 6, and of the 107th Brigade on September 7.

Before descending from the plateau into Beauzée, there isa very fine view. The photograph at the foot of this page shows the valley of Seraucourt, which the tourist will visit after Beauzée. It was there that the 40th Division of the Sixth Corps manœuvred. The photo at the top of p.258was taken looking towards Beauzée, whose steeple is visible. The numerous graves on either side of the road recall the violence of the struggle on September 6, when German pressure obliged the Twelfth Division to evacuate Beauzée and fall back on Hills 302 and 293, which the tourist has just passed.

COURTYARD OF FARM VAUX-MARIE

GRAVES NEAR VAUX-MARIE

Before enteringBeauzée, go over two level-crossings. Follow the principal street, and turn to the right in order to arrive at the church (27 km.).

VIEW OF THE VALLEY OF SERAUCOURT

VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS BEAUZÉE

The photographs on pp.258-259give some idea of the state in which the German bombardment left this fine building. The church dates from the sixteenth century, as is shown by the rich ornamentation of the west front (see at the top of p.259). This part of it received several shells, and in the photograph the shattered fragments resulting from this may be seen strewn on the ground. The nave, the apse, and the transept suffered most of all. The tower, restored in modern times and crowned by a spire, escaped destruction. It will, perhaps, be possible to save the panellings of the stalls and confessionals, which date from the eighteenth century.

A large number of houses in the village, and particularly around the church, were destroyed by shells.

CHURCH BEAUZÉE

Turn to the right in front of the church, into the street shown in the photograph at the foot of p.259. Then turn to the left towards the river and cross it. There is a very picturesque view of the village from this spot (photograph p.260).Immediately after passing the Aire, turn to the right into I. C. 26, which goes up the valley towardsAmblaincourt(29 km.).

This little village was destroyed. The view in the centre of p.260shows what remains of the town-hall, which was formerly a church.In Amblaincourt, turn first to the right and then to the left, without crossing the railway. I. C. 26 going to Seraucourt follows the valley which appears on the panorama on p.257.A tributary of the Aire and the little railway from Bar-le-Duc to Verdun follow the windings of this valley.

FRONT OF CHURCH

The 40th Division of the Sixth Corps fought on the two heights which command the valley to the north and to the south. The southern one (and especially Chanet Wood, which we can see on the right) served as a place of retreat when the attacks of September 6-10, which aimed at taking the northern crest, failed. On the 10th, in spite of an heroic resistance, the 40th Division was obliged to abandon Chanet Wood and to retire for several kilometres. On the night of the 12-13th the Germans, having been completely beaten on all other points of their front, evacuated their positions, which the French re-occupied the next day.

INTERIOR OF CHURCH

Pass straight throughSeraucourt(31½ km.).Part of its houses were destroyed by shell-fire.

From Seraucourt to Lemmes we are going over the battlefield of the reserve divisions placed at the disposal of the Third Army, in order to strengthen and prolong its right wing, and to attempt to outflank the enemy's left.

Tn the neighbourhood of Seraucourt the 65th (reserve) Division linked up with the 40th Division of the Sixth Corps.

RUINS AROUND CHURCH

Still following the valley, we reachRignaucourt(33½ km.). To the north of the village, on the plateau, is Blandin Wood, which was occupied until September 10 by the 65th (reserve) Division. From there it hurled its daily attacks to the west against the flank of the enemy. On the 10th it was thrown back violently to the south-east, beyond Landlut Wood, which crowns the plateau to the south, and lies to the right of the road. The German retreat took place on the night of the 12th.

VIEW OF BEAUZÉE

In Rignaucourt, turn to the right in order to pass in front of the church; descend towards the railway, and beyond the level-crossing go over the river, and turn at once to the left towards Issoncourt (35½ km.). At the entrance to the village, turn to the left into G. C. D. 6, which is the main road from Bar-le-Duc to Verdun. After two railway-crossings we arrive atHeippes(39½ km.). The 65th and 75th (reserve) Divisions fought desperately to the west of this road in Ahaye Wood, until September 10, endeavouring to give relief to the Sixth Corps by an attack on the German flank.

TOWN-HALL, AMBLAINCOURT

Leaving Heippes church behind, I. C. 24 leading to Saint-André comes into view on the left. This road formed the pivot of the attacks of the 75th Division, one part of which was operating to the south, with the 65th Division in Ahaye Woods; the other to the north in the Woods of Châtel and Moinville. After a fierce struggle the reserve divisions were forced to retire. Whilst the 65th Division clung for a time to Hill 342 or the Signal d'Heippes, which commands the village to the south-west beyond the railway, the 75th held out in Heippes, but on the 10th both were driven back to the east of G. C. D. 6.

After Heippes the road goes towardsSouilly(43½ km.). On the heights to the left of the road the 75th (reserve) Division fought, Souilly was abandoned by it on September 10.

JOFFRE AND PÉTAIN AT SOUILLY

During the great battle of Verdun in 1916 General Pétain had his headquarters at Souilly Castle. The photograph opposite shows the victor of Verdun in company with General Joffre.

Go straight through Souilly to reachLemmes(48 km.), after twice crossing the railway.To the west of the road is the battlefield of the 67th (reserve) Division and the mobile defences of the entrenchedcamp of Verdun which, during the Battle of the Marne, worried the German communications by frequent raids against their flank.

TROOPS DISMOUNTING FROM MOTOR-BUSES

G. C. D. 6 rejoins N. 3 beyond the hamlet ofMoulin-Brûlé(54 km.). The railway is again traversed by two level-crossings.

This little line, which comes from Bar-le-Duc, and which we have followed from Beauzée, was at the beginning of the Battle of Verdun the only one possible for victualling the troops. The main line from Châlons to Verdun was under the fire of the German artillery, and that from Bar-le-Duc or from Toul to Verdun was occupied in its centre, at Saint-Mihiel, by the enemy. The capacity of this single branch was so small that all the heroism of the defenders would have been vain, and the Germans would have entered as conquerors into the old city, if, by a remarkable feat, motors had not been able to replace the feeble railway. The road which the tourist followed on leaving Bar-le-Duc, and which he rejoined at Issoncourt, has been known since that epoch as the "Voie Sacrée" (the Holy Way). An average of 1,700 motors transporting troops, ammunition and stores, went by each day in both directions, making one vehicle every twenty-five seconds. The view below gives an idea of this line of cars winding across the country.

At the junction with N. 3, shortly after passing the spot where the railway crosses the road, turn to the right in the direction ofVerdun(63 km.).This town and its entrenched camp, whose renown has become worldwide, are the subject of a special volume.

FLEET OF MOTOR-BUSES BRINGING TROOPS BACK FROM VERDUN

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