The part played in the battle by the church of Étavigny was very different from the passive one assigned to the church of Acy. Its dominating position afforded priceless views of the French lines to the observer installed in its steeple. It was therefore by shells from the 75's that the church was damaged (see pp. [100] and [101]).
Étavigny was taken and retaken in the course of the Battle of the Ourcq. The struggle was hard, the Germans making a desperate resistance, as a serious French advance in this locality would have meant the outflanking of their whole line. They succeeded in forcing the troops of the Seventh Corps off the plateau.
Taking the road to the right, beside the church, and continuing about 200 yards we come to the cemetery, which is in a state of upheaval from the bombardment. The photograph below was taken through one of the gaps.
The windmill pump, on the left of the view, was riddled with bullets.
From Étavigny the tourist can either return to Acy by the same road, or follow the itinerary that we now give, which forms a loop around the northern part of the battlefield. In the first case, the distance to Acy is 3½ km., in the second 14 km.
Starting again from the church along the road which crosses the village, continue straight on towards Boullare. Here keep turning to the left and take the road to Betz. In the hollow on the left were placed the German batteries which joined in action with those of Étavigny.
ÉTAVIGNY CHURCH SEEN FROM THE CEMETERY
The road descends into a rather picturesque valley. Through it runs a small river, the Grivelle, which we must cross, then go through Antilly, turning to the right on entering, and to the left at the fork in the road just after leaving the village.