CALONNE TRENCH
French Trenches and Observation-Post on the right, before reaching the road to Eparges (see sketch map, p. [26]).
It is said that M. de Calonne, hoping some day to entertain the king at his château, had rose-trees planted the whole length of this road. However that may be, it is a fact that during the War wild roses were seen in bloom all along this forest road, at that time really a “trench” in the military sense of the word.
The battle-front crossed Calonne Trench a little to the south-west of St. Remy, in Bouchot Wood. Both adversaries bombarded each other and were kept constantly on the alert by attacks and counter-attacks. In March, 1915, 5.5-in. naval guns with a range of 13,000 yards were placed in position, to fire over Les Eparges, behind the enemy lines.
The marines had great difficulty in bringing these heavy guns into action, owing to the slippery, clayey soil.