In the Circuit de Nixéville (the loop which bounds the "Sacred Way" on the north), a regiment entering lorries to be taken to rest billets.
Going through Blercourt, there are two level crossings to pass: after the second, the "Sacred Way" branches off on the right to Bar-le-Duc, via Souilly.
Refugees from the Verdun District passing through Souilly along the "Sacred Way" worn into furrows by motor convoys.
The fate of Verdun, even of France, depended on this road. Disintegrated by frost and thaw, and subjected to the wild rush of transport which in the space of five days raised the fighting strength of the Verdun army from 150,000 to 800,000, this road visibly sank. When General Pétain took command of the battle on February 25th, his first care was to ensure that this road was firm and sound. All along the road 16,000 men divided into gangs were engaged upon the task of repairing it. Quarries were opened in the vicinity, and without interrupting the convoys of lorries which ran at regular intervals, thousands of roadmen threw tons of stones on the road. The road stood up to the strain and carried all necessary supplies up to the vast battle.
Re-enter Verdun by the Porte de France.
3rd. Itinerary:
THE TRANCHÉE DE CALONNE
THE RIDGE OF ÉPARGES, THE WOËVRE
