Rheims and the Battles for its Possession

by Pneu Michelin

RUINS OF CHOIR, ST. THIERRY CHURCH

RUINS OF THIL CHURCH

Thil—Villers-Franqueux

(See Itinerary, p. [134].)

On reaching Thil, turn to the left at the entrance to the village. Go straight through.

The church, entirely in ruins, stands at the end of the village, on a small eminence to the right.

Half-way through the village, on the left, is a road which leads to the St. Thierry Fort, via the village of Pouillon.

The road from Thil to Cormicy was the starting-point of the communicating trenches which led to the first lines along the National Road No. 44 and along the canal from the Aisne to the Marne, during the long stabilisation period of the Berry-au-Bac—Rheims front. All along the road can still be seen, practically intact, the military works which were in the immediate rear of the front lines, viz., posts of commandment, depots, shelters, etc. At the present time, close to the destroyed villages, these shelters are being used by the people as habitations.