Although evacuated by the Germans, Rheims had yet to remain for nearly four years under enemy fire. With equal obstinacy the adversaries disputed the town, the French seeking to disengage it and the Germans to recapture it.
On September 12, on the approach of the victorious French Army from the Marne, the Germans entrenched themselves to the south-west of the town, and established a line of resistance passing through Thillois, Ormes, Bezannes and Villers-aux-Noeuds.
In spite of the very unfavourable weather, the 3rd Corps (Gen. Hache) vigorously engaged the enemy at Thillois, and forced them to abandon the position in the evening. The 1st Corps (Gen. Deligny), on the right, had orders to push forward advance-guards into Rheims, but as a matter of fact they reached the suburb of Vesle. The 10th Corps (Gen. Defforges) attacked at Puisieulx and forced the enemy across the Vesle.
On the 13th, the left of the 3rd Corps arrived in front of Courcy and Brimont, where the Germans were strongly entrenched. A desperate battle took place, with the result that Courcy was taken before noon. Loivre likewise fell into the hands of the French, but the passage of the Aisne Canal was fiercely disputed. The attack on Brimont failed, in spite of the great valour of the troops, who sustained heavy losses. Meanwhile, the 1st Corps crossed Rheims, with orders to debouch at Bétheny. Just outside the town they were met with violent artillery fire, which, however, did not completely check their advance. La Neuvillette, Pierquin Farm and Bétheny were occupied, and the 1st Corps linked up on its left with the 3rd Corps, on the outskirts of Soulain Woods. The advance continued during the night, and Modelin Farm was reached by advance-guards. General Deligny took up his headquarters in the suburb of Vesle. The 10th Corps crossed the Vesle, engaged the enemy at St. Léonard and reached the railway.
On the 14th, the fighting greatly increased in violence. The 3rd Corps, in spite of repeated efforts, was unable to advance; on the left it failed to drive the enemy from the St. Marie Farm, while on the right it was held up before Brimont. The 1st Corps was likewise checked; the 1st Division (Gen. Gallet) attempted unsuccessfully to support General Hache in his attack on Brimont. The 10th Corps, although strongly engaged towards the Fort of La Pompelle, made but little progress. Farther away, on the right, the battle extended along the front of the 9th Army.