The village of Mametz (completely destroyed) was captured by the British on July 1, 1916, in spite of a desperate resistance.
In the village, take the road to Fricourt (1 km.), on the left.
Fricourt village was fortified by the Germans and formed part of their front line until July 1, 1916.
CONTALMAISON. SITE OF THE DESTROYED CHURCH.
Rising in tiers on the brow of a hill, this village consisted of a continuous series of blockhouses and redoubts, with numerous machine-guns. Underneath the houses were deep, comfortable shelters, some of which were 45 feet deep. As was the case throughout the whole of the sector before Albert, Fricourt was the scene of violent mine warfare for many months. On various occasions sanguinary encounters took place for the possession of the mine-craters, but the front line trenches continued to occupy the same positions. The Germans kept the village, while the French clung to its south-western outskirts.
CONTALMAISON. ENTRANCE TO THE CHÂTEAU.
The cellars were used as dressing stations.
It took the British no less than thirty-six hours of incessant fighting to carry it on July 2, 1916. 1,500 prisoners were taken.