A very brief diary of the battle at a single point will give an idea of
its bitter violence. The small village of Courcelles lies across the
chief road of the western wing of the offensive, only about two miles
from its starting point with the Montdidier-Estrées railway, and the
same distance behind it. For these reasons, and because it stands on
a spur of the Mery Plateau, it was certain to be a hardly contested
position.
On Sunday morning, June 9, taking advantage of the cover afforded by
broad fields of well-grown wheat, the Germans came up the slope from
Rollot and rushed the village. At 9:40 the French re-formed and retook
it, capturing 200 men and four officers. Forty minutes later a new wave
was brought up from the north, but was thrown back. Some storm troops,
however, got around by the rear. These were in turn repulsed.
Several hours passed in which the three streets of broken houses were
put in order for a siege. At 3 P. M. a fresh attack was repulsed.
Later in the afternoon the German success at Mery and Belloy resulted
in Courcelles being beset on three sides, only a narrow alley of
communication to the west remaining open.
The defenders now had their blood up. The reserves would soon arrive.
This western flank of the battle was of the utmost importance. It had
become a point of honor that the village should not be lost.
At 4:40 A. M. on Monday, after a preparatory bombardment, the next blow
fell. In ten minutes its failure was evident, though the fighting
about the barbed wire continued for an hour. Three more assaults
followed in the afternoon and evening. In the last of these some
Germans got into the village, but they were at last driven out.
On Tuesday the heroes of this splendid defense reaped the only reward
they desired. The great French counterattack definitely freed their
little fortress.