The Panorama seen southwards from Douaumont fort.

Douaumont fort.

The gorge of the fort with its heaped up moats is now reached.

Climb on to the superstructure of the fort, a kind of rough and devastated field where grass grows and the wind whistles.

Several French 400 shells and a German 420 have broken the thick shell of the fort; deep funnels mark their track.

From Douaumont fort, southwards, the plateau falls and ends in wooded slopes which overhang Bazil ravine: these are Caillette and Fausse-Côte woods. Above rise Vaux fort, then to the right Tavannes, and next Souville. The plateau which contains Douaumont extends to Froideterre Hill.

The superstructure of Douaumont fort.—On the right: An observation Post. On the horizon: a. Hill 378.—b. The Twin Ornes.