In spite of numerous bombardments, Eclusier has retained the appearance of a village. Most of the damage is repairable.
It was only in January, 1916, that Vaux-Eclusier became the last village occupied by the French in the Valley of the Somme. Previous to that date the advanced lines ran beyond the village of Frise, 2 km. further to the east.
FRISE CHURCH IN SEPTEMBER, 1917 (see pp. [70]-72).
To reach Frise, keep straight along the Somme Canal.
Standing on a picturesque site dominated by a hill on the north, the village lies on the left bank of the Somme, opposite the marshes, at the end of a large bend in the river. This bend measures 7 km. round, whereas the isthmus which separates the two arms of the river, opposite Frise, is scarcely 1 km. in width. These conditions made it very difficult to defend the village, which was accordingly used only as an advance-post. The Germans attempted to capture the place on several occasions by local surprise-attacks and mining. In January, 1916, a powerful attack with large forces succeeded, after a violent bombardment, in occupying the position, but the Germans were unable to debouch from it.
FRISE CHURCH in 1919 (see pp. [40]-42).