REUVES CHURCH AFTER THE BOMBARDMENT
The Abbé Millard, who was recovering from a long illness, reluctantly left his hermitage a little before the arrival of the Germans. The sharp-shooters had established on the road opposite his house a barricade flanked by machine-guns behind which they tried to stem the German advance; but the latter surmounted this obstacle and advanced on Oyes.
Leaving the priory, we come across the road which runs from Villevenard, on the right of the marshes, to Oyes and Reuves, on the left. This was the road taken by the Germans who attacked Oyes and Reuves for three days. They suffered heavy losses from the fire of the French artillery which swept Villevenard and the causeways, but came resolutely on and carried the two villages on September 8, in spite of the heroic defence of Blondlat's Brigade.
At the cross-roads turn to the right towards Reuves (53 km.) and traverse its length. It suffered terribly. The views on this page show the state of the church after the bombardment.
Turn to the right at the end of the village, leaving on the left the road which continues to follow the edge of the marshes in the direction of Broussy. This village fell at the same time as Oyes and Reuves, having been attacked by the German troops coming down from Joches and Coizard. Immediately on leaving the village, take, on the left, G. C. 45 and make towards Mondement.
REUVES CHURCH AFTER THE BOMBARDMENT
We are following the last stage of the German advance. On the morning of September 9, the troops which had taken Oyes and Reuves, after having been reinforced during the night, assailed the Heights of Mondement and wrenched from the grasp of the few remaining Zouaves and sharp-shooters the castle, the church and the village.
The road passes before the castle (56 km.) whose fame since the war has become worldwide.