and the rugged, wooded plateau stretching from Hattonchatel on the north to St. Mihiel on the south completely dominated the French positions on the low, swampy, flat Woevre plain.

The front lines followed along parallel to the high plateau. Owing to the swamps and lakes that were everywhere present, the main scheme of defence had to rely on certain strong points rather than on a continuous front line. Beginning on the right of the Divisional Sector, the allied line ran through the towns of Flirey, Bois Jure, Bois Remiere, and the towns of Marvoisin and Xixray; then came a long stretch of swampy morass until the lines swung around near the top of the St. Mihiel Salient and outside of Apremont, up and over the high plateau. The allied territory was very flat and low. The fields were broken with stretches of woods, while many smashed-to- pieces towns were scattered through the area. Rambucourt, Beaumont, Seicheprey, Boucq, Ansauville, St. Julien, Royaumeix, Mandres, Bouconville, Bernecourt, Menil-le-Tour, Andilly and Boncourt later became well known to members of the 26th Division.

From their observatories on the impregnable fortress of Mont Sec, the Germans could watch every move of their opponents for miles back of the lines. Allied soldiers could not raise their heads anywhere without seeing hated old Mont Sec staring them in the face. They lived in a great swamp. Their dug- outs were under water. Their trenches were all flooded, while across the line the Hun was biding his time on his high and dry ground in comparative luxury.

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