Rembercourt-Sommaisne

5 September 1914 : With the 106th RI, Maurice Genevoix crosses the village during the retreat. He looks at “the big, beautiful church” there.
7 September 1914: as part of the battle that started the day before, the 106th RI takes up its position near the village. This time, he describes how the village is bombarded by artillery and catches fire. “From three o’clock, German heavy artillery fires at Rembercourt. At five o’clock, the church catches fire. The red of the fire grows brighter as the darkness descends (…) I stayed for hours staring at this fire, with a heavy heart full of sorrow”
(Quote from the book by Maurice Genevoix, Ceux de 14, Editions Flammarion)