Forêt de Hesse, Natural forest area in Lorraine, France
The Hesse Forest lies west of Verdun, situated between several villages and reaching about 250 meters in elevation. The wooded area spans across a substantial territory and is now classified as a contaminated zone from World War I.
During World War I, the forest served as headquarters for the 91st American Division and contained military railway lines for transporting supplies and evacuating wounded soldiers. The area today remains part of Verdun's contaminated zones, bearing the marks of its military past.
The forest has been inhabited since ancient times, with archaeological finds showing pottery workshops from the first century. These traces remind visitors that people have used this land for thousands of years.
The forest lies within Verdun's Red Zone, a contaminated area from World War I that visitors can enter. It is important to stay on marked paths and follow safety guidelines to avoid contact with hazardous materials.
American soldiers stationed in the forest during the war kept a wild boar named Guigui as their mascot. This unusual story connects military life with wildlife and reveals a more human side of wartime.
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