PLATEAU OF ROCHELLE SEEN FROM THE ROAD
Fère-Champenoise fell into the hands of the Germans on September 8 when the heroic defence of the Eleventh Corps had been broken on the line of the Somme, over which we are about to travel. The reserve of the guards pillaged as a matter of course, and celebrated noisily the German victory. Near the town-hall a piano was brought into the street to accompany the dance of the soldiers, attired in all sorts of headgear, taken from the window of a neighbouring hatter. Wine flowed, and the streets were strewn with empty bottles. It was in the midst of these rejoicings that the order to retreat arrived like a thunderbolt on September 9. On the 10th, General Foch made Fère his headquarters.
On leaving the town we come across fan-shaped cross-roads and take the road farthest to the left. 200 yards along this, take the lane on the right, following the edge of the hill which dominates the Vaure.
REVIEW ON THE PLATEAU OF ROCHELLE
After climbing 2½ km. the summit of the hill is reached. On the right of the road stretches the plateau of Rochelle, dotted with clumps of pine and covered with graves. Leave the car at the spot indicated in the photograph at foot of p. [186] and set out on foot towards the centre of the plateau.
The third anniversary of the victory of the Marne was celebrated on the plateau on September 7, 1917. In the photograph above may be seen (from right to left) the President of the Republic, General Pétain (half hidden by M. Poincaré); M. Ribot, President of the Council; M. Painlevé, War Minister; M. Chaumet, Marine; M. Bourgeois, Public Works. Field-Marshal Joffre is in the background.
The tourist who, during the tour of the Ourcq, visited the plateau of Barcy-Chambry, will experience with even greater intensity the impression of sadness which is evoked by the calm landscape and the numerous graves, signs of the fierceness and obstinacy of the battle.
VIEW OF THE PLATEAU OF ROCHELLE