ESSEY CHURCH
After visiting Montsec return to St. Baussant by the same roads (I.C. 19 to Richecourt, then G.C. 33 and I.C. 13).
Follow I.C. 13 beyond St. Baussant to Maizerais (completely ruined), seen on the left of the road, and Essey on the Rupt-de-Mad stream.
From December, 1916, the village of Essey was close to the front, and occupied by the Germans. The inhabitants and mayor remained during the occupation, but were forbidden, on pain of death, to go more than a short distance from their homes.
In the village, at the corner of the Rue Béquille and the Grand Rue, is a concrete blockhouse.
The church was partly destroyed. On its north front, protected by the church belfry, were the Kommandantur’s quarters—an important concrete construction with walls five feet thick.
After visiting Essey, take D. 3, which passes in front of the church, and follow it towards Flirey.
