The ridge, which rose 390 feet above the Valley of the Aire, and more than 250 feet above that of the Buanthe, is no longer recognisable, the bombardments and mine-explosions have shattered, and, so to speak, decapitated it. The sight is impressive; mine craters have swallowed up the village; trenches, shelters, barbed-wire are all that remain (photos, p. 58).
The view extends as far as Clermont-en-Argonne.
After visiting Vauquois, return to and follow G.C. 38. The original front lines are soon crossed. Cheppy Wood on the left and Hesse Forest on the right were cut to pieces by the shells. The ground is covered with defence-works. 6 km. 500 beyond Varennes the road divides on the edge of Hesse Forest, G.C. 38 running to the left, towards Avocourt. Take the right-hand road (I.C. 60), which enters the forest. Numerous French military works, and some gun emplacements, may be seen along the road. The road to Récicourt, on the left, is soon passed.
Coming out of the forest I.C. 60 crosses a plateau, then reaches Aubréville (14 km. from Varennes).
CLERMONT-EN-ARGONNE. PANORAMIC VIEW OF COUNTRY LOOKING TOWARDS VAUQUOIS
Cross the railway (l.c.) near the station, then the Couzance River, and enter the ruins of Aubréville (photo, p. 59). At the end of the village the road forks; keep straight along I.C. 60, which crosses first the Aire, then the railway (l.c.). The Ridge of Clermont-en-Argonne soon comes into view.