FIELD OF OPERATIONS
OF THE
THIRD FRENCH ARMY
IV.—FROM BAR-LE-DUC TO VERDUN
(63 km.)
(See map inserted between pp. [212]-[213])
via Naives, Vavincourt, Marats, Rembercourt-aux-Pots, Vaux-Marie, Beauzée, Amblaincourt, Seraucourt, Issoncourt, Heippes, Souilly.
Leave Bar-le-Duc by the Boulevard de la Rochelle, at the east end of which, before St. John's Church, turn to the left and cross the Pont-Neuf. Then turn to the right into the Rue Ernest Bradfer; 300 yards further on, turn to the left into the Rue du Passage-Inférieur. After crossing the railway, turn to the left into the Rue de Popey. 250 yards farther on the Rue de Saint Mihiel will be found on the right, and this is continued by the G. C. S. 1 bis.
At Naives (5 km.), turn to the left and take G. C. 28, which climbs the plateau, at whose foot we have been travelling since leaving Bar-le-Duc. Pass straight through Vavincourt (8 km.) and take I. C. 16, a hilly road, leading to Marats-la-Grande (14½ km.). Descend into the village, turn to the left; and on leaving it by its western end, take, on the right, I. C. 48 leading to Rembercourt-aux-Pots (18½ km.).
We are entering the zone of action of the Sixth Corps. Rembercourt was attacked on September 7, but held out, thanks to the defences which had been strongly organised round it. It was abandoned on the 10th and retaken on the 12th.
The road passes in front of the church, which is classed as an historical monument (photo below). It is one of the most remarkable in the Department of the Meuse. It dates from the fifteenth century, but its beautiful front is Renaissance. The roof of the nave and that of the left aisle have been destroyed by German shells, but fortunately the front only suffered slightly. Take the street on the right on leaving the church; it leads out of Rembercourt by G. C. 35.