FRENCH DEFENCE WORKS BETWEEN SERVON AND ST. THOMAS
Keep along G.C. 66, past numerous defence-works and shelters, some in concrete.
This region, an excellent artillery position and a veritable stronghold, from which the Germans launched many counter-attacks against the right flank of the French 4th Army, during the offensive of September 26, 1918, was liberated by the French on September 30, after a heroic struggle.
Five kilometres beyond Binarville is Servon.
It was near Servon that, on August 25th, 1786, the aeronaut Blanchard, on his way from Lille to Paris, where he hoped to present a bouquet to the King, was forced to descend after being carried out of his course by contrary winds.
Occupied by the Germans since September, 1914, and strongly fortified by them, the village and surrounding country were attacked by the French on September 25, 1915, during a minor offensive, intended to cover the main attack in Champagne. The French, after a short advance, were forced to retire on their original positions, in consequence of counter-attacks debouching from Servon.
The village was only retaken on September 26, 1918, by the French 4th Army, which, on the evening of the same day, reached the wood 1 km. 500 to the north-east of the village, after a fierce struggle.
To-day Servon is an absolute ruin. The cemetery alone, on the left of the road, indicates the site of the village.
Below the ruins of the church, which stood on the top of the hill on which the village was built, several German shelters (photo, p. 92) may still be seen along G.C. 66.