_At the cross-roads of_ the hamlet of Mâco, _keep straight on along G.C. 26_. The road runs between two fairly high embankments containing numerous shelters. Slightly before entering the village of =Merfy= is a cemetery containing graves of French, British and German soldiers. _At the entrance to the same village, on the right, stands_ a castle, severely damaged, which, early in September, 1914, served as headquarters to General Foch (_photo above_). _A little farther_ is the church, almost entirely destroyed. _At the church, turn to the right and follow the main street_, which is lined with houses in ruins. _On leaving Merfy, cross the railway (l.c.). The village of_ =St. Thierry= _is reached shortly afterwards._ [Illustration: ENTRANCE TO ST. THIERRY VILLAGE _The sign and camouflaging are German._] [Illustration: ST. THIERRY CHÂTEAU IN 1914] [Illustration: ST. THIERRY CHÂTEAU IN 1919] [Illustration: ST. THIERRY CHURCH _See other photos, p. 140._] =St. Thierry= (_See Itinerary, p. 134, summary of the Military Operations, p. 147._) This village was frequently bombarded by the Germans from 1914 to 1918. _It is crossed by a narrow, winding street containing several sharp turnings. Shortly before the end of the village, the street widens abruptly. About a hundred yards further on is the church, while on the right a monumental door gives access_ to the =Château of St. Thierry= (_photos, p. 138_). This castle was built in 1777 by Mgr. de Talleyrand-Périgord, Archbishop of Rheims. It replaced the ancient abbey founded in the 6th century by St. Thierry, a disciple of St. Remi. Remains of the 12th century chapter-house ogives, colonnettes and capitals, as well as an old chimney-piece, have been rebuilt into the kitchens. The spacious Louis XVI. drawing-room and the dining-room were likewise remarkable. The church (_see photos above and on p. 140_) possessed certain remarkable features, _e.g._ the porch, nave and organ-loft. The 12th century porch had a 17th century pent-house roof. Inside the church were Gothic stalls, and a 16th century bas-relief depicting _The Martyrdom of St. Quentin_. The church is now in ruins. _Opposite the castle gate turn to the left into G.C. 26._ In the embankments along the road are numerous shelters, posts of commandment, ammunition depots, etc. [Illustration: ST. THIERRY CHURCH (_see p. 139_)] [Illustration: RUINED PORTAL OF ST. THIERRY CHURCH] [Illustration: RUINS OF CHOIR, ST. THIERRY CHURCH] [Illustration: RUINS OF THIL CHURCH] =Thil--Villers-Franqueux= (_See Itinerary, p. 134._) _On reaching Thil, turn to the left at the entrance to the village. Go straight through._ The church, entirely in ruins, _stands at the end of the village, on a small eminence to the right_. _Half-way through the village, on the left, is a road which leads to the St. Thierry Fort, via the village of Pouillon._