Gercourt-Drillancourt

10 am on 27 August 1914 : Maurice Genevoix and his detachment join their regiment, the 106th RI. It’s hot and all the sections are resting along the main street of the village. The new arrivals are assigned to their companies. Sub-lieutenant Genevoix is assigned to the 7th company, under the command of Captain Bord (referred to as Captain “Rive” in the book). He meets Sub-lieutenant Porchon there. The 106th FI holds the south of Septsarges woods until 3 September, with the mission of preventing the German troops from passing through. It is a baptism of fire for Maurice Genevoix, who is caught in enemy fire several times.
“My regiment arrives! Our reservists run as fast as they can towards the steep-sided road. They make a right racket…” (Quote from the book by Maurice Genevoix, Ceux de 14, Editions Flammarion)