From these heights a multitude of valleys
descend to the Ourcq, from south to north, cutting the crest into hills
separated by depressions. Thus the terrain is broken up in every
direction and well adapted to meet an attack from the west as well as
one from the south.
[Sidenote: The French carry ridges and valleys in succession.]
It was necessary to deal with all these obstacles one by one. Starting
from the west, the French had to carry successively these lines of
crests and depressions with their fortified villages: ridge of Monnes,
July 19; ravine of Neuilly-St-Front the same evening; the hill of
Latilly and its wood the 20th; La Croix and Grisolles the 21st, with
their thickets and dense plantations of osiers. On the 23d the Allied
troops took Rocourt and the wood of Le Chatelet; on the 24th the deep
ravine of Brecy; and, finally, on the 25th, French and Americans
together attacked the hill of the forest of Fere, which is 228 metres
high, completely covered with woods, cut by ravines, and flanked by
fortified villages. On the 27th the whole position was taken, and the
Allies were on the verge of the deep valley of the Ourcq, which they
were next to cross.
[Sidenote: Caves in the cliffs.]
[Sidenote: Allies turn the line of the Ourcq.]
This line was a by no means inconsiderable obstacle. Imagine, if you
please, a deep depression, twisting and turning in all directions, and
from 200 to 400 metres wide, extending at least as far as
Fere-en-Tardenois.
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