M. CLEMENCEAU ON CHÂTEAU-THIERRY BRIDGE A FEW HOURS AFTER THE GERMANS HAD LEFT.
(From “l’Illustration.”)
To the left of the Place du Champ-de-Mars, and in the direction of the Hôtel-de-Ville, take the Rue du Maréchal Pétain.
On the right of this street is the Belhan Tower (Belfry), which was formerly part of the Belhan Mansion (16th century). At the end of the Rue du Maréchal Pétain, the Hôtel-de-Ville (of which the Palais is Renaissance) comes into view. One of the turrets was destroyed by the bombardments, while shell splinters have scarred the building. The immediate surroundings suffered greatly from shell-fire. The photo below shows the Rue du Maréchal Pétain in perspective.
The first enemy line of resistance was established at the entrance to this street, in front of No. 27. Behind, barricades of paving stones and earth were raised (see photo), the largest of which closed the end of the street, making it possible to pass unseen from the Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville to the Rue du Général Degoutte.
On the right of this photo is seen the commencement of the Rue du Général Degoutte.
