The remains of this once fine wood extend from this point of the road to the village of Fay, 1,500 yards to the right. From 1914 to 1916 it formed part of the German first-line defence-works, and was covered with entrenchments of all kinds.
On July 1, 1916, the French carried the whole wood, promptly re-organised the defence-works, and used them against their former occupants.
A CORNER OF SATYRES WOOD.
SATYRES WOOD.
The German Post of Commandment seen in the photograph below, is under this road.
Numerous cottages and shelters hidden by the trees were used as billets by the enemy troops in this sector. The officers occupied a special quarter. A large signboard with the inscription, "Durchgang nur für Offiziere," interdicted its access to the common soldiers. All the shelters were spacious and comfortably furnished with beds, tables, armchairs, hangings, chandeliers, and even pianos—all taken from the neighbouring villages. Some of the cottages were decorated outside, and sometimes bore inscriptions like the following, carved on the door of a post of commandment:—
"Macht Joffre auch ein böses Gesicht
Hier treffen uns seine Granaten nicht."