Day 4 dawned quite bright after a horrendous thunderstorm the previous night, so heavy that a couple of ‘Likely Lads’ on the goup were unable to make it from the Hotel to a local bar 50 yards away!

The plan was to visit the two hight points, Mort Homme and Cote 304 which were very heavily fought over, then move off to Reims for lunch, and then the journey back.

The day turned out to be a gorgeous Spring day, and although the crest of Mort Homme is a sombe place, it was delightful with the sun, spring-blossom and wild flowers. The crest is dominated by the ‘skeleton statue’ on the right.  Petain had declared ‘They shall not pass’ or ‘Ils ne passeront pas.’ And although the Germans did in fact take this hill, with great loss of life on both sides, the statement below the statue reads ‘Ils n’ont pas passe’, ‘They did not pass.’

While the statement is not strictly correct, the Germans did not get much further, and it does reflect the effort and sacrifice expended in preventing the German assault going further.

The figure on the statue is very dramatic; it shows a skeleton rising up, bearing a flag and tearing off his shroud with his right hand. Dramatic, some might say ugly, but has the effect of being memorable.

The reverse of the statue showing its outlook over the valley below.

Sign post on Mort Homme showing 3 Km to Cote 304 and a little over 12 Km to Douaumont, that 15 Km is almost the total width of the battlefield on which so many died.

Richard explaining the significance of the hill within the battle.

With the monument behind me, the view from Cote 304 towards the Bois Bourrus in the hazy distance.

The monument on Cote 304, not as spectacular or dramatic as that on the Mort Homme.

All trips should end with a good lunch, especially if it can be taken outside - from left to right; John, Chris, Tony and my wife Susi.