Follow the zig-zags which N. 51 makes to climb the slope and continue towards Soizy-aux-Bois (45 km.). On this road, and in the woods which border it, the 42nd Division met with a repulse at the hands of the German troops who, on the 7th, took Soizy and even pushed on to Chapton (we passed through this village before arriving at Sézanne). On the 8th, the 162nd Line Regiment counter-attacked and carried Soizy at the point of the bayonet; and on the 9th, as we have seen above, the Germans were driven back across the Morin.
Soizy still shows the ruins of houses destroyed by bombardment or fire. After glancing at them return to the entrance to the village and take (on the left looking towards Soizy) G. C. 44 in the direction of Oyes.
I. PANORAMA OF THE "CRÊTE DU POIRIER" AND BOTRAIT WOODS
- Botrait Woods.
- Crête du Poirier.
- North bank of Marshes.
Almost immediately after, on the left, below the level of the road, may be seen two large graves, where the French soldiers who fell during the combats at Soizy were buried (view p. [169]). The Germans were buried to the right of these graves.
Cross through the woods of Saint-Gond. Sign-posts indicate that military graves exist in the thickets, and recall the hand-to-hand struggles which took place here during the fluctuations of the battle round Soizy.
Descend again towards the marshes between the "Crête du Poirier" on the left and the heights on Montgivroux on the right. Before arriving at Oyes there appears on the left a chalky road with a quarry on its right, leading to the top of a hill.
II. PANORAMA OF THE MARSHES AND THEIR NORTH BANK