One section, surrounded with flames, gave way. Taking advantage of this, the enemy slipped into the village and, after a violent engagement, conquered the greater part of it, only to be driven out again the next day by a counter-attack, during which the French won back all the lost ground.
BIACHES. THE PLACE DE LA MAIRIE IN 1916.
In the evening of July 17, the enemy made another powerful effort. Supported by heavy batteries posted above Péronne on Mont-Saint-Quentin Hill, which kept up an uninterrupted fire, the Germans again entered Biaches and captured it. The struggle continued throughout the next day in the ruins of the village with varying fortune, and it was only on the 19th that the enemy were definitely driven out.
Further counter-attacks were launched afterwards, but met with no better success. From July 17, 1916, till March, 1917, the French and, later, the British maintained their lines intact in front of Péronne, on the edge of the Somme Marshes.
On leaving Biaches, G.C. 1 rises towards Herbécourt. Looking back, there is a very fine view of Biaches, Péronne and the valley (Panorama, pp. [116]-117).
3 km. 500 beyond Biaches, leave, on the left, the village of Flaucourt (completely destroyed), which was carried by storm on July 3, 1916. Herbécourt is 1 km. 500 farther on.
BIACHES. THE PLACE DE LA MAIRIE IN 1919.