There is a magnificent view from the wayside-cross on the plateau. Visit the monastery, whose buildings suffered greatly from the bombardments.
Pass in front of the cross and take the second road on the right, which slopes down fairly quickly to the village of Berthem, through which the tourist passes.
VIDAIGNE HILL AND NOIR HILL
In the hamlet of Schaexnen, opposite the inn with the sign "Au Vieux Schaexnen," turn to the left, passing in front of a small château in the middle of a wood on the right. A plateau—Noir Hill—ploughed up by countless shells, is reached shortly afterwards.
At the fork in the road turn to the right (the road on the left leads back into Belgium).
Go through the hamlet of La Croix-de-Poperinghe, then at the next fork take the road to Bailleul on the right. At Bailleul leave the lunatic asylum on the left. The French custom-house is in the Rue d'Ypres. (In June, 1919, there was as yet no corresponding office at Locre in Belgium.)
Bailleul suffered terribly from the bombardments, most of the houses being destroyed.
Bailleul was taken by three German divisions on April 15, 1918, as well as Little Hill and the Ravelsberg, to the west of the town. But the next day the German forces, who had orders to consolidate their success and turn the chain of hills from the south, were rudely checked by French divisions, rushed up to relieve their British comrades, and in three days, thanks to the prompt and vigorous action of General Pétain, they were driven back.
Have a look round the Grande Place before taking the Rue de Lille (N. 42) on the left. At the Noveau-Monde cross-roads, where there is an important munitions depôt with railway-station, turn sharply to the left, leaving Lille Hill on the left.