_Go straight up the hill, take the first road on the right leading up a steep hill_ to the very interesting Castle, which dates from the Middle-Ages. Built on rock foundations it contains a deep cavern. The roof and eastern portion were damaged by the bombardment. Fine view from the terrace. _Continue to climb the hill as far as the plateau_; very fine view. _Descend to_ Pernant. Caves are visible in the hill-sides. _At the_ church _turn to the right, then to the left_. _Recross the level-crossing last mentioned, then turn to the right into N. 31._ Along the road numerous military organizations are met with. (_If not pressed for time, instead of going straight on to Soissons by N. 31, take the road on the right, about 1-1/2 miles after Pernant, leading to Mercin_, [Illustration: PERNANT CASTLE. In the ravine which it overlooks furious fighting took place.] [Illustration: SHELTERS ALONG THE N. 31 BETWEEN PERNANT AND SOISSONS. Behind is the Aisne Valley.] _cross the railway (level-crossing), then turn to the left towards the Church._ The ancient turreted Castle, which now serves as Town-Hall and School, is above the church, on the right.) _Retracing his steps for a short distance, the tourist should take I. C. 44 on the left, which leads up to the plateau._ Fierce fighting took place here, as attest the wire entanglements, trenches, etc. _On reaching N. 2, turn into it on the left._ The run down from here to =Soissons= is very fine. _Enter Soissons by the Rue du Faubourg St. Christophe._ [Illustration: MERCIN CHURCH IN RUINS.] [Illustration: MAP OF THE OPERATIONS FROM CHAUDUN TO SOISSONS. _The roads indicated by two continuous lines are to be followed by the tourist._] Throughout the region which the tourist has just visited (Chaudun to Soissons), the battle raged without respite from May 29 to July 18, 1918. While, on May 29 and 30, the French were hanging on to the western outskirts of Soissons, outflanked by the armies of Von François and Von Larisch, the German 6th Active and 6th Reserves captured Vierzy and Chaudun on the 30th. On June 1, French counter-attacks forced the enemy to retire. After changing hands several times and much furious fighting, Chaudun and Vierzy remained in the hands of the French. On the 3rd, the enemy engaged all available reserves (three fresh divisions) in a powerful attack between the Aisne and the Ourcq. Progressing beyond Missy-aux-Bois and La Croix-de-Fer they reached the line extending northwards from Dommiers to west of Pernant. On June 12 and 13, they again attacked in the direction of the Villers-Cotterets Wood reaching the Laversine--Cœuvres--St. Pierre-Aigle line. Stiff fighting continued along this line until the end of June, the French retaking Cœuvres on the 15th, Laversine on the 28th, and St. Pierre-Aigle on July 2.