The photograph at the foot of p. [179] was also taken during the official visit of September 6, 1917. The tower on the left is the one seen on p. [174] from the exterior. On comparing the two photographs, we realise that the signs of war are fast disappearing at this point. In the middle, near the wall, the group formed by M. Poincaré, M. Ribot, M. Bourgeois, Field-Marshal Joffre and Generals Foch and Pétain, may be distinguished.
MONDEMENT CEMETERY
Those who took part in this pilgrimage had the good fortune to hear an account of the events of September, 1914, from the lips of General Foch. The above photograph was taken whilst, in quiet but moving terms, he described the different phases of the desperate battle fought by the Ninth Army from September 6 to 10. This extempore military lecture took place at the foot of a walnut-tree which stands in the meadow before the castle. On pp. [182]-[183] may be seen the view of the marshes which appeared to the eyes of the audience.
MONDEMENT CHURCH
Opposite the turret seen in the photograph at the foot of p. [175] take a path leading to the church, which suffered much from the bombardments, but whose breaches have now been repaired.
In the little graveyard (photograph p. [180]) which surrounds it are buried the officers who fell at Mondement; among them Major de Beaufort, who commanded the attack, and Dr. Baur, killed by a shell which at the same time split the tree against which he was leaning.
General Humbert followed the march of events from the foot of the church, on the side facing the marshes (view above), when the castle became untenable. It is from this point that the panorama on pp. [182]-[183] was taken, and which will now be described.