On leaving Sompuis, continue straight along G. C. 12 to Humbauville.
On September 8 the heights seen on the right were gallantly defended against Saxon attacks by a detachment of Bretons.
On the 9th the latter were thrown back in disorder by the 13th Division, which had been sent as a reinforcement.
CHURCH AND ANCIENT ABBEY HUIRON
At the entrance to Humbauville (42 km.) turn to the right, then, at the church, take on the left G. C. 14 in the direction of Huiron. We are now on the battlefield of the 17th Corps. G. C. 14 formed the French position at the beginning of the battle; on the 6th the road was left behind, and the Germans driven back northwards as far as the railway line going from Sompuis to Huiron. But on the 8th the 17th Corps was repulsed in its turn, and G. C. 14 became the German line. The French troops clung to the heights to the south of the road and particularly to Certine Farm, where General Dupuis was killed. The fighting was of a desperate character. The Germans, in their fury, revenged themselves on the wounded; eight badly hurt soldiers of the 88th Infantry Regiment, whom Sub-Lieutenant Baudens had been obliged to leave behind, were afterwards found with hands tied behind their backs, their bodies riddled with bullets and bayonet wounds.
On the 9th and 10th the 17th Corps counter-attacked vigorously and, with the aid of the Goullet Division which had been attached to it, succeeded on the night of the 10-11th in re-crossing the railway line.
NAVE OF CHURCH HUIRON
