After Voulton, cross through Rupéreux, when Augers may be seen in the distance, with its much damaged CHURCH (photograph p. [148]). The heights which formed the principal German position shut in the horizon. The task of the left of the 18th French Corps was to push back the advance-guards of the Third German Corps between Voulton and Augers.
On the evening of the 6th, the French camped round Augers.
CAPITAL IN VOULTON CHURCH
Arriving in the village, pay a visit to the church, which is to the right of the road. Augers was bombarded in turn by the French and by the Germans, each believing the other to be in the village, whereas they were merely in the neighbourhood. The church suffered particularly, as may well be realised by passing through the breach in the wall shown in the photograph below. The interior presents a scene of desolation.
Returning to the road after visiting the church, turn to the right, then immediately afterwards to the left, and take the "Chêmin vicinal" leading to the main road from Courtacon to Sézanne (D. 8) in which turn to the right.
The tourist now finds himself on the principal German position during September 5 and 6. After a preparation by the artillery, the French troops left the shelter furnished by the undulations of the plateau, and attacked and carried the road on September 7. Following up the pursuit of the retreating Germans, they reached La Ferté-Gaucher on the same day, and crossed the Grand Morin, thus gaining more than 10 km.
2 km. after the cross-roads at Augers, the road leaves on its left the Village of Sancy.
Sancy was not bombarded, the fighting taking place some distance in advance of the locality; but its inhabitants were obliged to submit to the law of the conqueror during two days.