Argonne – II. Argonnen-Linie
Due to recent events (July 2026):
Due to Scolytinae infestation (bark beetle) and the drought of recent years, a large part of the coniferous forest planted in the 1960s in the area of the southern Bois de la Gruerie has died off and will soon be completely removed. Reforestation with tree species better adapted to current climatic conditions is planned. The photos included in the article show the still intact condition of the forest up to 2018. They are being preserved for documentation purposes.
North of Varenner Straße (D 38) are the remains of a German fallback position, the so-called II. Argonnen-Linie. There are well-preserved trench sections, remains of wire entanglements, large gallery systems, dugouts, as well as various concrete installations for machine guns and Minenwerfer.
The central Argonne sector had passed in August 1917 into the responsibility of the württembergischen 2. Landwehr-Division (2nd Landwehr Division), which was to hold it with Landwehr Regiments 120, 122, and 125 (120th, 122nd, and 125th Landwehr Infantry Regiments) until the end of the Argonne fighting in October 1918. Gradually, the conviction gained ground on the German side that although mine warfare in the Argonne tied down enemy troops to a significant extent, it also consumed their own resources to an unacceptable degree and achieved no notable tactical successes. The French side’s superiority in artillery, ammunition, troops, and all supplies was overwhelming. Thus, it was decided to prepare the termination of mine warfare and began the planning of several fallback positions to enable a defense in depth of the units and more flexible warfare.
Among other things, construction of the II. Argonnen-Linie was begun by the Landwehr units. This was to run from Varennes-en-Argonne in the east initially just north of the Varenner Straße, then connect via the Mortier-Tal and Hubertus-Höhe area with the position sectors of the Western Argonne located north of la Harazée and Vienne-le-Chateau.
The planning for the new position was pursued with the utmost meticulousness. Sketches, plans, and position maps were prepared, which are largely preserved in the Hauptstaatsarchiv Stuttgart. However, these detailed plans could not conceal the fact that by the end of the third year of the war, the German side already lacked everything that would have been required for the expedient development of such a defense line according to modern military standards: construction material, cement, armament with machine guns and Minenwerfer (trench mortars). Above all, however, there was a lack of personnel trained in construction trades for such activity.
Thus, construction activity began rather sluggishly around September 1917. Several deep gallery barracks with an occupancy capacity of up to 150 soldiers were planned. These as well as the forward trench were largely completed. However, the position sectors adjoining to the rear mostly achieved the practical implementation from the blueprint only in the form of shallow tracing or markings made with lime on the forest floor.
In February 1918, mine warfare was completely discontinued. The former forward line was thinned out and gave way to an outpost line in which only individual strongpoints remained, whose garrisons were to withdraw immediately in the event of an enemy attack. The mine warfare system was wired, partially blown up, and left to the inflowing groundwater. The main line of resistance was relocated back to the former third trench, that is, the position that the Germans had held in July 1915. In this state, the front solidified until September 1918, and there were only isolated operations without any noteworthy strategic significance.
On the morning of September 26, 1918, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of the American and French troops began. Around 05:30, units of the 77th US Infantry Division advanced far into the German position system after heavy artillery preparation. East of there in the Aire Valley, the 28th US Infantry Division attacked positions of the 1. Garde-Division (1st Guard Division). The Guard regiments had just been withdrawn from the heavy fighting at the Chemin des Dames and consisted only of a fraction of their actual troop strength. West of the Argonne, French units of the 4th Army stood ready to attack the German 9. Landwehr-Division (9th Landwehr Division) and 76. Reserve-Division (76th Reserve Division). By the evening of September 26, the entire forward German position system in the Central Argonne up to Varennes Road was overrun.
From September 27, 1918, the American units east of the main ridge of the Argonne expanded their advance against the 1. Garde-Division. The Guard units were no longer capable of defense. The 2. Landwehr-Division (2nd Landwehr Division) was threatened in its flank by the rapid advance of the Americans. Although the II. Argonnen-Linie (II Argonne Line) could still be held throughout September 27, 1918, the order to retreat came in the evening. By the end of October 1918, the front had been moved out of the Argonne Forest. The enemy superiority was overwhelming and a sustained defense was no longer possible for the Germans.
Today, clear remains of the German position system can still be found in some places north of Varennes Road. Starting from the parking lot directly at the junction of the D 38 to the Roman camp (Abris du Kronprinz) begins a nature trail (Arboretum de Varennes-en-Argonne), which includes the eastern parts of the position system, as well as the impressive entrances of deep dugout camp IV. Otherwise, one can follow the front trench of the position over long distances from various starting positions along Varennes Road (D 38) and thereby identify individual strongpoints and deep dugouts.
were AI-edited (notice pursuant to Art. 50 Regulation (EU) 2024/1689).