SONNARD WOOD
American Cemetery. In the background, at the foot of the larger trees, is the road D. 3.
To the right and left are numerous shelters. Turn to the right alongside Sonnard Wood, beside which, 50 yards from the road, are an American cemetery and, on the left, Mort-Mare Wood.
Mort-Mare Wood is famous for the terrible struggles that took place for its possession.
It was while reconnoitring over this wood in an aeroplane that Senator Reymond was killed on October 22, 1914. He was returning from a flight over Mars-la-Tour, Chambley and Thiaucourt, with Pilot Adjutant Clamadieu, and the machine was turning to the right of the southern edge of the wood, when it was seen descending, apparently normally, between the French and German lines. Machine-guns at once opened fire; the Adjutant was killed and Senator Reymond wounded. The French came out of their trenches and a fierce struggle, which lasted until night, took place round the machine. Only then was Reymond able to crawl into the lines, while the French carried back the body of the Adjutant.
Reymond was taken to the hospital at Toul, and was able, before he died, to give an exact account of the mission in the fulfilment of which he had met such a glorious end.
On reaching the crest, the road crosses the old German first lines (concrete blockhouses). Flirey next comes into sight.