[Illustration: TANKS CROSSING DOMMIERS VILLAGE.]
[Illustration: AMERICAN SOLDIER’S MASCOT (YOUNG WILD BOAR) IN A FARMYARD
AT DOMMIERS.]
[Illustration: DOMMIERS CHURCH IN RUINS.]
[Illustration: ST. PIERRE-AIGLE VILLAGE, SEEN FROM THE ROAD COMING FROM
DOMMIERS.]
[Illustration: THE VALLEY OF THE RU-DE-RETZ SEEN FROM THE RUINS OF THE
CHURCH OF ST. PIERRE-AIGLE.
The deep ravine in which this small stream flows was the objective of
numerous fierce combats. In the background: Villers-Cotterets Wood in
which the Germans tried in vain to get a footing.]
[Illustration: VERTES-FEUILLES FARM, SEEN FROM THE N. 2 DURING THE JULY
COMBATS.]
_Continue towards_ =St. Pierre-Aigle=, which is marvellously situated. The
photographs on the preceding page show in what state the bombardments
left it. _Turn to the left_, to visit the church at the edge of the
ravine (pretty view over the forest of Retz). _Return to the road and
descend into the valley._
At the bottom of the hill, if not pressed for time, visit
Vertes-Feuilles Farm, situated about two miles further on. In this case,
_take on the left the road leading up the valley_. The road first passes
through ravaged woods, finally reaching the plateau crossed by N. 2. The
farm, now a mere heap of ruins, stood at this crossing. Behind the farm
are barbed wire entanglements and trenches.
[Illustration: VERTES-FEUILLES FARM DEFENSIVELY ORGANIZED.