RUINED CHURCH OF WITRY-LES-REIMS
This church was almost entirely destroyed.
After turning to the right at the crossing mentioned above, keep straight on.
About 2 kilometres from Fresnes the road from that village to Witry-les-Reims crosses an old Roman causeway, at the side of which, slightly to the south of Hill 118, the Fort of Fresnes was built in 1878. This fort was blown up by the Germans during their retreat in 1918. Its ruins are impressive. In the moats of the fort are German trenches and shelters extending right up to the walls of the fort.
The village of Witry-les-Reims is next reached. It suffered severely from the numerous bombardments, which its situation near the first lines rendered inevitable.
Witry-les-Reims
After crossing the railway (l.c.) at the entrance to the village, keep straight on. The ruined church is on the left, near the entrance to the village.
Except for one tower, which dates from the 12th century, the church is modern. The spire was destroyed by the Germans. The belfry, used by the enemy as an observation-post, was struck by French shells.
Like many of the villages around Rheims, Witry-les-Reims is of Gallo-Roman origin. More than two hundred Gallic sepulchres and cinerary urns have been brought to light. The objects thus discovered, including a large number of vases, now form the Bourin pre-historic collection.
After visiting the church keep straight on. At the Mairie, of which only the front remains standing, turn to the right into the Rue Boucton-Fayréaux. Follow this street to the Place Gambetta (about 200 yards distant), where turn to the left. The entrance to "Pommern Tunnel," which connected up the German rear and front lines (photo, p. [163]), is in this square.