BYGONE PILGRIMAGE: SOISSONS BEFORE AND DURING THE WAR

Michelin's Illustrated Guide. After a short historical introduction about the origin of Soissons and chief events there follows a brief account of the town during the war. It was occupied in September 1914 by the Germans but were soon driven out. However they continued to hold the line on the northern outskirts, in effect besieging the place. It wasn’t until October 1917 that they were forced to withdraw, only to return in May 1918 during their final offensive. The French counter-offensive in July finally cleared the Germans out for good. The first few pages give a brief account of Soissons during the Great War, the rest of the book provides a guided tour of the town with descriptions and photographs of places worth visiting - with town plans giving directions. Reprint of the 1919 original edition.