RUINS OF SARS VILLAGE. N. 29 NEAR BAPAUME.
SARS. RUINS OF GERMAN MONUMENT IN CEMETERY ON THE RIGHT OF N. 29.
Five kilometres beyond Pozières, Sars, which stood on both sides of the high road, is reached (photo, p. [50]). It was taken on October 7, 1916, by the British, who advanced beyond it, but were then held, as in spite of repeated assaults the Germans had maintained themselves on the Warlencourt Ridge (Hill 122), to the east, which dominates the whole district.
Sars is the nearest village to Bapaume, taken by the British in the course of their offensive of 1916. It was about 9 km. from their trenches (in front of La Boisselle), and 6 km. this side of the first houses of Bapaume. In 1918, on the contrary, it took the British only three days to cross the strip of ground, 7 km. wide, which separated their starting trenches from Le Sars village, captured on August 25.
Sars was wiped out. At the entrance, in a small shell-torn wood on the right, are the remains of a German cemetery, completely devastated. The base of a German monument can still be seen (photo above).
Continue along N. 29 for about 1 km. beyond Sars; 150 yards to the right, Warlencourt Ridge stands out. Go there on foot.
