Situated on the railway from Soissons to Rheims, and connected by branch lines with the railway from Paris to Châlons, _via_ Château-Thierry and Epernay, and the lines radiating from Villers-Cotterets towards Paris, the important position of Bazoches was hotly disputed during the fighting from May to August, 1918. The Americans co-operated actively in its re-capture in August, 1918. On August 7 they crossed the Vesle to the east of the town, under particularly difficult conditions. The river and its banks literally bristled with wire entanglements, and were swept by deadly machine-gun and artillery fire, but the Americans got across nevertheless. The itinerary passes in front of the Church of St. Peter (12th and 13th centuries). _Leaving the church on the right_, the Square from which the above photograph was taken, _is reached_. View on the left of the remains of the 12th century Castle, which now serves as a farm. It is flanked by a tower at each of its four corners and in the middle of each side. The great moat which surrounded the central portion of the building was protected by a wall (practically intact on the south-west) flanked by twenty-two round towers. Several of the latter are still standing. [Illustration: BAZOCHES CASTLE IN 1918.] [Illustration: ALL THAT REMAINED OF MONT-NOTRE-DAME CHURCH IN 1918. _Compare with photo below, taking as a guide the two trees._] _Continue along the road, turn to the left, cross the railway (level-crossing), then the river; take the first road on the right (I. C. 33) towards_ Mont-Notre-Dame, and follow the valley of the Vesle. This river, which rises in the Department of the Marne, flows from east to west, entering the Department of the Aisne to the north of Bazoches. According to tradition it owes its existence and name to a Queen of the Belgians. _Pass under, then over the railway, and enter the village of_ =Mont-Notre-Dame=. The village is very ancient, and was no doubt first built on the top of the plateau, at the foot of which it now stands. From 589 to 985 A.D. six Councils of Prelates were held there, and in the 11th century two Synods. [Illustration: MONT-NOTRE-DAME CHURCH IN 1914. _See photo above._] [Illustration: ANOTHER VIEW OF THE RUINS OF MONT-NOTRE-DAME CHURCH IN 1918. _Compare with photo below._] Mont-Notre-Dame, an isolated hill, sugar-loaf in shape, dominates all the surrounding country. It formed an excellent position for the artillery during the fighting in this region and was used by both sides. _In the village turn to the left and skirt the hill, then take the steep rise on the right, which leads to the top. On the right_, caverns are visible in the hill-sides. The church, now a mere heap of stones, is next reached. The cemetery is behind. According to tradition this church (_historical monument_) was founded in the 9th century. It was rebuilt in the 12th and 13th centuries.