other bits of information, albeit he wanted very badly to take us to the underground tunnels. Here he is shown with maps and drawings of the network of German tunnels that he leads tours through. From the look on Ellen's face, she does not seem to be that interested in a subterranean tour.Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Fellow Journeyers
The Route du Martin began when we met John and Ellen Bratt at the infamous Charles deGaulle Airport in Paris. From there we headed northeast to the Meuse-Argonne region of France. We stayed in a delightful B&B, LaScholastic run by Denis Hebrard. Denis was quite helpful with directions and 
other bits of information, albeit he wanted very badly to take us to the underground tunnels. Here he is shown with maps and drawings of the network of German tunnels that he leads tours through. From the look on Ellen's face, she does not seem to be that interested in a subterranean tour.
other bits of information, albeit he wanted very badly to take us to the underground tunnels. Here he is shown with maps and drawings of the network of German tunnels that he leads tours through. From the look on Ellen's face, she does not seem to be that interested in a subterranean tour.
LaScholastic
LaScholastic was a quiet and comfortable spot to rest our bones each evening after the rigorous schedule that John had arranged for us. The scene to the left is the LaDhuy
farm where we stopped to stretch our legs.
farm where we stopped to stretch our legs.The other picture is of our room in LaScholastic.
Out And About
The first picture below is a bunker that the Germans had equipped with everything from an office and kitchen, complete with wood burning stove. The second picture below is one of John Bratt and John Paul DeVries, an owner of a small WWI museum located in Romagne, sight of the largest WWI cemetary in Europe. 
The picture below displays an unexploded American rifle grenade that we dug up on one of our treks through a field. John Paul DeVries says that this is one of two things he never picks up. The other is an unexploded German rifle grenade. Notice how carefully we displayed the unexploded ordnance on Marlene's beret.
The picture below displays an unexploded American rifle grenade that we dug up on one of our treks through a field. John Paul DeVries says that this is one of two things he never picks up. The other is an unexploded German rifle grenade. Notice how carefully we displayed the unexploded ordnance on Marlene's beret.
Meuse-Argonne Battlefield
This picture displays the Meuse-Argonne area of battle. The map is of an original battlefield map that John copied somewhere on his journeys into the caverns and bowels of museums and libraries. The "purple" line indicates to the best of his ability, the path taken by Martin when marching through this area. Included after this map is a description of the itinerary that John had laid out for us during our time that we spent in this region.
Meuse – Argonne Offensive
Follow the N3 toward Clermont-en-Argonne, turn right on D998 toward Auzeville, take the left fork across river Aire through Auzeville, follow D21 to Jubecourt
Jubecourt and Brocourt was the “rest area” for the 89th division after their experience under fire for the previous two months in the St. Mihiel area. Upon arrival they were told that they would receive three weeks rest, but they were given only three days. New recruits from the 86th division (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota) were added to make up for men who had been killed or wounded. Rain fell for most of this time, turning roads into mud, but the men were glad to not be out in the trenches in the bad weather.
Follow the road north out of Jubecourt toward Brocourt and north of Brocourt, turn left for Brabant. After Brabant take the (second) right fork for Parois, then get on D946 toward Aubreville. Take the D160 north (right) before reaching the turnoff to Aubreville, and turn left on the D38 toward Cheppy. Follow the turnoff to Cheppy, follow D19C through town and onward to Very and then to Epinonville and Eclisfontaine.
This was the route to the front lines, and Martin’s regiment covered this distance on foot during October 13-14 1918. The movement was “cross-country” and very slow because the ground was so difficult – old trenches, mud, blasted shell holes, barbed wire, tree stumps all created obstacles that slowed progress. These days were cold and rainy, and the kitchens were not able to keep up because of congested roads, which meant that the soldiers only had their cold rations to eat. When they finally arrived at their destination, they had to camp in the rain and mud; they also spent time in drill and burying dead soldiers (American and German) from the American offensive that they were about to join.
From Eclisfontaine take the D998 into Romagne. By the church, take left fork (D123) toward Sommerance.
This road skirts the southern edge of the Bois de Bantheville where Martin’s unit was placed during Oct 21- 30; the clearing on the right just past the woods is the site of the “engineer road” that was built by Americans to allow artillery to be sent forward, and casualties to be removed. The Romagne-Sommerance road enters the Bois de Romagne / Bois de Gesnes, and the PC for the 177th (T&N) was along this road approximately 1.5 miles from Romagne (should be on right side of road). The right fork leads to a road that goes north into the Bois de Romagne. This entire area was the scene of very bloody fighting in the weeks prior to Martin’s arrival.
Backtrack to Romagne on the D123, and head north toward Bantheville on the D998. Turn left just before entering Bantheville and follow farm lane back toward Bois de Bantheville. At fork, bear left and follow road through the woods into the clearing beyond. The road will turn right (north); shortly afterwards, take the right-hand fork and proceed along the edge of the woods.
This is the area from which the 354th regiment (part of the 89th division) attacked on November 1 1918. Although the front line angled south-west (following the edge of the Bois de Batheville), the attack proceeded straight north toward the La Dhuy farm on the other side of a rise. The 354th field HQ during late October was in the woods approximately 100 yards to the right, in a large German bunker. Martin was in the second wave to go “over the top”; his battalion followed the assault battalion at a distance of about 1500 yards.
Continue to follow the farm lane as it curves to the left into the town of Landres-et-St. Georges. This town was a strong point in the German line, and was taken by the 42nd division on the left of the 89th. Turn right and then turn right again on D24 and proceed to La Dhuy farm.
La Dhuy farm was another German strongpoint, supporting several machine gun nests. The first German prisoners that came through the lines were machine gun crews from this farm, and Martin probably saw them. Martin’s battalion passed over this ground following the assault battalion heading north toward Remonville, under heavy shell fire the entire time.
Continue eastward along D24, and turn left, following the D12 into the village of Remonville (multiple T&N)
This road follows the line of advance of the 354th toward Remonville. The Germans had built barricades in the streets out of furniture and other material, and apparently were hoping to engage the Americans in house-to-house fighting. But the strategy was to encircle the town and attack from all sides, which apparently was successful. Several members of Martin’s regiment won medals for bravery in the process of subduing Remoncourt. The 354th War Diary states that 80 prisoners were taken.
Take the D4 northward out of Remoncourt and into the Bois de Barricourt.
Immediately before reaching the edge of the forest, the 3rd battalion (which included Company “I”) leapfrogged the 1st battalion and took over as the assault battalion. Moreover, company “I” was in the front line. The land that lay ahead was heavily defended and perfect for inflicting mass casualties on an attacking force. In the middle of this forest was the “Heights of Barricourt,” the last major ridgeline before the Meuse river. Militarily this was a key objective; when the supreme commander of the French Army heard that the heights had been captured, he said “the war is over.” Martin’s battalion, with Martin’s company in the very front lines, pushed through this woods, captured the heights, and came out the other side in the late afternoon, all the time under heavy shell and machine gun fire. The weather deteriorated and became cold and foggy.
On the other side of the Bois de Barricourt, the D4 descends toward the village of Barricourt (T&N). About halfway to the village is a sharp bend to the left.
Half-way between the edge of the forest and this bend is where the front-line forces stopped for the night, taking cover in the huge shell holes left by the American artillery barrage early that morning. There were still many German machine-gun nests in the hills all around them, and large German patrols were moving about in the fog. Sleep probably was not an option. The next morning (Nov. 2) the plan was to push ahead following an artillery barrage, but unknown to the field commanders, much of the artillery had been withdrawn for use elsewhere. When the barrage failed to occur at the agreed time, there was confusion and Martin’s battalion commander did not order them to attack. Later in the day, Martin’s battalion was ordered to attack without a barrage, but once again the commander did not follow the order. The regiment immediately to the right (the 353rd) did attack without a barrage, and the first group of soldiers that left the treeline was mowed down by machine gun fire. Later in the afternoon, Martin’s battalion was able to advance slightly, and overnight the Germans withdrew from Barricourt; the next morning the 3rd battalion was leapfrogged by the second, and Martin’s company went into reserve and rested in the trenches around Barricourt.
Follow the D4 into Nouart, and then take the D946 northeast. There is a turnoff to the Champys (D304), two villages that were captured with much bloodshed by other members of Martin’s regiment. Take the next left (a dirt road), and follow it toward Beaufort. Across the fields to the left is the Maucourt farm, which was the HQ of the 354th infantry during the last few days of the war. Follow the road straight through Beaufort (should be paved for awhile) and then in the northern edge of the village, take the fork to the left. The road will bend around to the left, cross a stream, and then will enter a small grove of trees.
On November 11 at 11AM, the armistice took effect and the fighting stopped. At this moment, Martin’s battalion was located at les Hautes Bruyeres (“the high moors”),just to the south of the grove of trees, having been sent back from the Meuse near Pouilly when it became apparent in the mid-morning that the war was about to end.
Meuse – Argonne Offensive
Follow the N3 toward Clermont-en-Argonne, turn right on D998 toward Auzeville, take the left fork across river Aire through Auzeville, follow D21 to Jubecourt
Jubecourt and Brocourt was the “rest area” for the 89th division after their experience under fire for the previous two months in the St. Mihiel area. Upon arrival they were told that they would receive three weeks rest, but they were given only three days. New recruits from the 86th division (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota) were added to make up for men who had been killed or wounded. Rain fell for most of this time, turning roads into mud, but the men were glad to not be out in the trenches in the bad weather.
Follow the road north out of Jubecourt toward Brocourt and north of Brocourt, turn left for Brabant. After Brabant take the (second) right fork for Parois, then get on D946 toward Aubreville. Take the D160 north (right) before reaching the turnoff to Aubreville, and turn left on the D38 toward Cheppy. Follow the turnoff to Cheppy, follow D19C through town and onward to Very and then to Epinonville and Eclisfontaine.
This was the route to the front lines, and Martin’s regiment covered this distance on foot during October 13-14 1918. The movement was “cross-country” and very slow because the ground was so difficult – old trenches, mud, blasted shell holes, barbed wire, tree stumps all created obstacles that slowed progress. These days were cold and rainy, and the kitchens were not able to keep up because of congested roads, which meant that the soldiers only had their cold rations to eat. When they finally arrived at their destination, they had to camp in the rain and mud; they also spent time in drill and burying dead soldiers (American and German) from the American offensive that they were about to join.
From Eclisfontaine take the D998 into Romagne. By the church, take left fork (D123) toward Sommerance.
This road skirts the southern edge of the Bois de Bantheville where Martin’s unit was placed during Oct 21- 30; the clearing on the right just past the woods is the site of the “engineer road” that was built by Americans to allow artillery to be sent forward, and casualties to be removed. The Romagne-Sommerance road enters the Bois de Romagne / Bois de Gesnes, and the PC for the 177th (T&N) was along this road approximately 1.5 miles from Romagne (should be on right side of road). The right fork leads to a road that goes north into the Bois de Romagne. This entire area was the scene of very bloody fighting in the weeks prior to Martin’s arrival.
Backtrack to Romagne on the D123, and head north toward Bantheville on the D998. Turn left just before entering Bantheville and follow farm lane back toward Bois de Bantheville. At fork, bear left and follow road through the woods into the clearing beyond. The road will turn right (north); shortly afterwards, take the right-hand fork and proceed along the edge of the woods.
This is the area from which the 354th regiment (part of the 89th division) attacked on November 1 1918. Although the front line angled south-west (following the edge of the Bois de Batheville), the attack proceeded straight north toward the La Dhuy farm on the other side of a rise. The 354th field HQ during late October was in the woods approximately 100 yards to the right, in a large German bunker. Martin was in the second wave to go “over the top”; his battalion followed the assault battalion at a distance of about 1500 yards.
Continue to follow the farm lane as it curves to the left into the town of Landres-et-St. Georges. This town was a strong point in the German line, and was taken by the 42nd division on the left of the 89th. Turn right and then turn right again on D24 and proceed to La Dhuy farm.
La Dhuy farm was another German strongpoint, supporting several machine gun nests. The first German prisoners that came through the lines were machine gun crews from this farm, and Martin probably saw them. Martin’s battalion passed over this ground following the assault battalion heading north toward Remonville, under heavy shell fire the entire time.
Continue eastward along D24, and turn left, following the D12 into the village of Remonville (multiple T&N)
This road follows the line of advance of the 354th toward Remonville. The Germans had built barricades in the streets out of furniture and other material, and apparently were hoping to engage the Americans in house-to-house fighting. But the strategy was to encircle the town and attack from all sides, which apparently was successful. Several members of Martin’s regiment won medals for bravery in the process of subduing Remoncourt. The 354th War Diary states that 80 prisoners were taken.
Take the D4 northward out of Remoncourt and into the Bois de Barricourt.
Immediately before reaching the edge of the forest, the 3rd battalion (which included Company “I”) leapfrogged the 1st battalion and took over as the assault battalion. Moreover, company “I” was in the front line. The land that lay ahead was heavily defended and perfect for inflicting mass casualties on an attacking force. In the middle of this forest was the “Heights of Barricourt,” the last major ridgeline before the Meuse river. Militarily this was a key objective; when the supreme commander of the French Army heard that the heights had been captured, he said “the war is over.” Martin’s battalion, with Martin’s company in the very front lines, pushed through this woods, captured the heights, and came out the other side in the late afternoon, all the time under heavy shell and machine gun fire. The weather deteriorated and became cold and foggy.
On the other side of the Bois de Barricourt, the D4 descends toward the village of Barricourt (T&N). About halfway to the village is a sharp bend to the left.
Half-way between the edge of the forest and this bend is where the front-line forces stopped for the night, taking cover in the huge shell holes left by the American artillery barrage early that morning. There were still many German machine-gun nests in the hills all around them, and large German patrols were moving about in the fog. Sleep probably was not an option. The next morning (Nov. 2) the plan was to push ahead following an artillery barrage, but unknown to the field commanders, much of the artillery had been withdrawn for use elsewhere. When the barrage failed to occur at the agreed time, there was confusion and Martin’s battalion commander did not order them to attack. Later in the day, Martin’s battalion was ordered to attack without a barrage, but once again the commander did not follow the order. The regiment immediately to the right (the 353rd) did attack without a barrage, and the first group of soldiers that left the treeline was mowed down by machine gun fire. Later in the afternoon, Martin’s battalion was able to advance slightly, and overnight the Germans withdrew from Barricourt; the next morning the 3rd battalion was leapfrogged by the second, and Martin’s company went into reserve and rested in the trenches around Barricourt.
Follow the D4 into Nouart, and then take the D946 northeast. There is a turnoff to the Champys (D304), two villages that were captured with much bloodshed by other members of Martin’s regiment. Take the next left (a dirt road), and follow it toward Beaufort. Across the fields to the left is the Maucourt farm, which was the HQ of the 354th infantry during the last few days of the war. Follow the road straight through Beaufort (should be paved for awhile) and then in the northern edge of the village, take the fork to the left. The road will bend around to the left, cross a stream, and then will enter a small grove of trees.
On November 11 at 11AM, the armistice took effect and the fighting stopped. At this moment, Martin’s battalion was located at les Hautes Bruyeres (“the high moors”),just to the south of the grove of trees, having been sent back from the Meuse near Pouilly when it became apparent in the mid-morning that the war was about to end.
St-Mihiel Battlefield
Much like the map above, this one displays the area where the fighting took place in and around the St-Mihiel area. Again the "purple" line displayed, shows the approximate path taken by Martin and his fellow soldiers. 
We visited this area and stopped in many of the towns displayed on the map.
St. Mihiel Offensive
From Le Neufour, get on the A4 going east (north of Le Neufour take the D85 toward St Menehould, take right fork). Take D964 south to St. Mihiel (exit 31). Take D907 east toward Apremont-la-Foret and just through the village follow D908 south. Just past Jouy-sous-les-Cotes, turn left toward Cornieville.
This is a town where Martin’s battalion was sent for a brief rest (put into reserve) in the end of August 1918. They had to hike all night to get here from the Bois de Rehanne, a distance of approximately 20km.
Follow D908 south all the way to Bruley. The D10 will intersect the D908 at Boucq, and that is the route that Martin’s battalion came from on their all night hike.
Bruley was the town where Martin’s battalion spent its first night (August 5, 1918) billeted in the combat zone. They received final instructions from commanders in a “vacant vineyard on the hillside.” At 4PM they loaded up on flatcars on a narrow-gauge railway and headed up toward the front.
Follow D118A west, then follow D904 north toward Menil-la-Tour. This road approximately follows the route of the narrow-gauge railroad. At Royaumiex, get off D904 and follow the D100 north toward Minorville.
At the right-hand curve just north of Royaumiex, the small patch of woods on the left is the site of the American ammo dump that the Germans successfully targeted on August 30 1918, causing a huge explosion and fire. Martin’s company was in the Bois de Rehanne, approximately 2 miles north, and he doubtless witnessed the fireworks. There is another sharp right-hand turn before arriving at Minorville. On the left-hand side was the site of the Red Cross field hospital, which was full of casualties from a German gas attack when Martin’s train passed by.
Minorville was one of three towns that Martin’s Battalion spent much time in during the next six weeks. Minorville was on the “line of resistance” which was to be defended at all costs in the event of a German attack. (T&N)
Follow the D100 north to Noviant-aux-Pres. This town was on the “support line,” the second line of defense and the area from which front-line troops were rotated into the main trench system facing the Germans. Follow the D907 west to Bernecourt, then take the D904 north toward Flirey. Stop at the national cemetery just around the curve (T&N).
This area was known as “Gas Hollow” to the 354th. On the night of August 5-6, the first and second battalions of the 354th suffered major losses in a German gas attack in this area. The victims of this attack were the same ones that Martin’s battalion saw as they rode past the Red Cross hospital on August 6. The ravine that stretches toward the east is the place where the 354th regiment formed up during the night of September 11-12 in preparation for going “over the top” in the St. Mihiel offensive. At 1 AM the artillery opened up over a 40km front, and fired more than 1 shells over the next four hours. Martin’s company was held in reserve until approximately 10:30, when it was ordered to Limey in support of the 353rd Regiment, which had attacked to the north at 5AM.
Proceed to Flirey and stop at the site of the old ruined church (T&N)
The American front-line trenches were just to the north of the Flirey-Limey road, and the German front-line trenches were on the edge of the Mort Mare forest to the north. This was not a simple linear trench, but a tangled and meandering mass of old trenches from previous German-French battles, as well as new ones dug by American troops. It was possible to enter the German lines across no-mans-land by following the old trenches, and so one of the tasks of the front-line troops was to guard the entrances to these “communication trenches.”
Proceed to Limey, take first left after the road joins from the right, follow road toward Ansoncourt Farm. This road marked the eastern edge of the 89th Division’s attack sector. Past Ansoncourt Farm is a turnoff to the left that leads to the ruins of the Robert Mesnil farm, a strong point in the German line where several Americans in the first wave were killed. The turnoff to the right (just before the Mesnil turnoff) goes through the fields to join up with the road to Euvezin. At Euvezin turn left to enter the town (crossing bridge) and in center of Euvezin turn right on D28b. At junction with D28, turn right and follow to Bouillonville.
Bouillonville is where Martin’s battalion spent the night of September 12-13, sleeping on the ground under the destroyed RR bridge and on the adjoining slopes (site of old RR bridge is the ravine to the left just before entering the town). Eyewitness accounts mention the many dead Germans who had been caught in the artillery barrage, horses still tethered to their posts outside of the old German HQ, and food found cooking in military kitchens, all left by the retreating Germans. T&N
Leave Bouillonville following the D28 toward Thiaucourt. Take the first left after the left-hand curve in the road, which should be a farm lane leading across fields to the town of Beney.
This road cuts across the fields through which the 354th advanced on September 13, under heavy shell fire from the retreating Germans. Col. Babcock wrote that the casualties would have been much higher if the ground had been harder, since most of the shells exploded underground and threw up geysers of mud rather than shell fragments. The town of Beney was used as an HQ for the 89th Division, and Martin’s battalion passed through Beney on several occasions.
Leave Beney and proceed east toward Thiaucourt. Follow the first left toward Xammes.
Martin spent the next three weeks in the front lines in and around Xammes (mainly to the west) and also occasionally going into reserve around Bouillonville (which involved delousing, bathing, new clothes, etc.). The 354th was under constant shell fire from German positions to the north, and spent the nights digging and reinforcing trenches and placing barbed wire. Days were spent sleeping in the trenches. The first trenchline that was dug followed roughly the farm lane that exits Xammes to the northwest; the most advanced position extended from the northern edge of the woods to the NW of Xammes to the small patches of woods directly north of Xammes. The regimental PC was in a house in the south of town, directly across from where the first side road on the left connects to the main road. The 354th cemetery was in the back yard of this house.
If time, visit cemetery at Thiaucourt; otherwise, return to Le Neufour up the D904 toward Woel. Pass through Fresnes-en-Woevre, and get on the A4 at exit 32, just outside of Ville-en-Woevre. Take A4 west
We visited this area and stopped in many of the towns displayed on the map.
St. Mihiel Offensive
From Le Neufour, get on the A4 going east (north of Le Neufour take the D85 toward St Menehould, take right fork). Take D964 south to St. Mihiel (exit 31). Take D907 east toward Apremont-la-Foret and just through the village follow D908 south. Just past Jouy-sous-les-Cotes, turn left toward Cornieville.
This is a town where Martin’s battalion was sent for a brief rest (put into reserve) in the end of August 1918. They had to hike all night to get here from the Bois de Rehanne, a distance of approximately 20km.
Follow D908 south all the way to Bruley. The D10 will intersect the D908 at Boucq, and that is the route that Martin’s battalion came from on their all night hike.
Bruley was the town where Martin’s battalion spent its first night (August 5, 1918) billeted in the combat zone. They received final instructions from commanders in a “vacant vineyard on the hillside.” At 4PM they loaded up on flatcars on a narrow-gauge railway and headed up toward the front.
Follow D118A west, then follow D904 north toward Menil-la-Tour. This road approximately follows the route of the narrow-gauge railroad. At Royaumiex, get off D904 and follow the D100 north toward Minorville.
At the right-hand curve just north of Royaumiex, the small patch of woods on the left is the site of the American ammo dump that the Germans successfully targeted on August 30 1918, causing a huge explosion and fire. Martin’s company was in the Bois de Rehanne, approximately 2 miles north, and he doubtless witnessed the fireworks. There is another sharp right-hand turn before arriving at Minorville. On the left-hand side was the site of the Red Cross field hospital, which was full of casualties from a German gas attack when Martin’s train passed by.
Minorville was one of three towns that Martin’s Battalion spent much time in during the next six weeks. Minorville was on the “line of resistance” which was to be defended at all costs in the event of a German attack. (T&N)
Follow the D100 north to Noviant-aux-Pres. This town was on the “support line,” the second line of defense and the area from which front-line troops were rotated into the main trench system facing the Germans. Follow the D907 west to Bernecourt, then take the D904 north toward Flirey. Stop at the national cemetery just around the curve (T&N).
This area was known as “Gas Hollow” to the 354th. On the night of August 5-6, the first and second battalions of the 354th suffered major losses in a German gas attack in this area. The victims of this attack were the same ones that Martin’s battalion saw as they rode past the Red Cross hospital on August 6. The ravine that stretches toward the east is the place where the 354th regiment formed up during the night of September 11-12 in preparation for going “over the top” in the St. Mihiel offensive. At 1 AM the artillery opened up over a 40km front, and fired more than 1 shells over the next four hours. Martin’s company was held in reserve until approximately 10:30, when it was ordered to Limey in support of the 353rd Regiment, which had attacked to the north at 5AM.
Proceed to Flirey and stop at the site of the old ruined church (T&N)
The American front-line trenches were just to the north of the Flirey-Limey road, and the German front-line trenches were on the edge of the Mort Mare forest to the north. This was not a simple linear trench, but a tangled and meandering mass of old trenches from previous German-French battles, as well as new ones dug by American troops. It was possible to enter the German lines across no-mans-land by following the old trenches, and so one of the tasks of the front-line troops was to guard the entrances to these “communication trenches.”
Proceed to Limey, take first left after the road joins from the right, follow road toward Ansoncourt Farm. This road marked the eastern edge of the 89th Division’s attack sector. Past Ansoncourt Farm is a turnoff to the left that leads to the ruins of the Robert Mesnil farm, a strong point in the German line where several Americans in the first wave were killed. The turnoff to the right (just before the Mesnil turnoff) goes through the fields to join up with the road to Euvezin. At Euvezin turn left to enter the town (crossing bridge) and in center of Euvezin turn right on D28b. At junction with D28, turn right and follow to Bouillonville.
Bouillonville is where Martin’s battalion spent the night of September 12-13, sleeping on the ground under the destroyed RR bridge and on the adjoining slopes (site of old RR bridge is the ravine to the left just before entering the town). Eyewitness accounts mention the many dead Germans who had been caught in the artillery barrage, horses still tethered to their posts outside of the old German HQ, and food found cooking in military kitchens, all left by the retreating Germans. T&N
Leave Bouillonville following the D28 toward Thiaucourt. Take the first left after the left-hand curve in the road, which should be a farm lane leading across fields to the town of Beney.
This road cuts across the fields through which the 354th advanced on September 13, under heavy shell fire from the retreating Germans. Col. Babcock wrote that the casualties would have been much higher if the ground had been harder, since most of the shells exploded underground and threw up geysers of mud rather than shell fragments. The town of Beney was used as an HQ for the 89th Division, and Martin’s battalion passed through Beney on several occasions.
Leave Beney and proceed east toward Thiaucourt. Follow the first left toward Xammes.
Martin spent the next three weeks in the front lines in and around Xammes (mainly to the west) and also occasionally going into reserve around Bouillonville (which involved delousing, bathing, new clothes, etc.). The 354th was under constant shell fire from German positions to the north, and spent the nights digging and reinforcing trenches and placing barbed wire. Days were spent sleeping in the trenches. The first trenchline that was dug followed roughly the farm lane that exits Xammes to the northwest; the most advanced position extended from the northern edge of the woods to the NW of Xammes to the small patches of woods directly north of Xammes. The regimental PC was in a house in the south of town, directly across from where the first side road on the left connects to the main road. The 354th cemetery was in the back yard of this house.
If time, visit cemetery at Thiaucourt; otherwise, return to Le Neufour up the D904 toward Woel. Pass through Fresnes-en-Woevre, and get on the A4 at exit 32, just outside of Ville-en-Woevre. Take A4 west
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