Amiens Before and During the War

A M I E N S BEFORE AND DURING THE WAR The Project Gutenberg eBook of Amiens Before and During the War This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org . If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title : Amiens Before and During the War Publisher : Pneu Michelin Release date : February 23, 2015 [eBook #48347] Most recently updated: October 24, 2024 Language : English Other information and formats : www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48347 Credits : Produced by Brian Coe, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AMIENS BEFORE AND DURING THE WAR *** (In certain versions of this etext, in certain browsers, clicking on this symbol will bring up a larger version of the illustration.) ITINERARY CONTENTS (etext transcriber's note) MICHELIN’S ILLUSTRATED GUIDES TO THE BATTLE-FIELDS (1914-1918) A M I E N S BEFORE AND DURING THE WAR Published in: FRANCE: by MICHELIN & Cie., Clermont-Ferrand. The BRITISH ISLES: by MICHELIN TYRE Co., Ltd., 81, Fulham Road, London, S.W. The U.S.A. : by MICHELIN TIRE Co., Milltown, New Jersey. Hotels and Motor-Agents at AMIENS Information extracted from the MICHELIN GUIDE (1919) [A] Key to Arbitrary Signs Comfortable hotels, with modern or modernised installation. Well-managed hotels. [ CC ] Central Heating. [ L ] Electric Light. [ B ] Bath-room. [ WC ] Modern W. C.’s [ T ] 104 Telephone Number. Gar. [ 6 ] --Accommodation for automobiles, and the number of cars which can be accommodated. Shed [ 8 ] Shelter [ 10 ] Court [ 20 ] ext. Outside. Compressed Air Depôt for ‘bouteilles d’air Michelin’ for inflation of tyres. Repair shop. Agt de Manufacturer’s agent. [ 3 ] Garage and number of cars it will hold. [ U ] Inspection pit. [ E ] Petrol can be obtained here. [ E” ] Electric plant where accumulators may be recharged. [ A-A ] Agent of “Automobile Association” of England. HOTELS du Rhin, 4, rue de Noyon , [ CC ] [ L ] [ B ] [ WC ] Shelter [ 8 ] [ U ] [ T ] 44 . Belfort-Hôtel, 42, rue de Noyon , Lift [ CC ] [ L ] [ B ] [ WC ] Gar. [ 6 ] [ T ] 649 . de l’Univers, 2, rue de Noyon , [ CC ] [ L ] [ B ] [ WC ] Shed ext. [ 8 ] [ U ] [ T ] 2-51 . de la Paix, 15, rue Duméril , [ CC ] [ L ] [ B ] [ WC ] Shelter [ 20 ] [ U ] [ T ] 9-21 . de l’Ecu de France, 51, place René-Goblet , [ L ] [ WC ] Shed [ 4 ] Court [ 6 ] [ U ] [ T ] 3-37 . MOTOR-AGENTS STOCK MICHELIN ( Compressed Air ) Garage Victor , 12 et 14, esplanade Noyon . Agt de : De Dion. [ 40 ] [ U ] [ E ] [ T ] 9-36 . — STOCK MICHELIN ( Compressed Air ) Grand Garage de Picardie ( Lucien Corroyer ), 16-24, rue Jules-Barni . Agt de : Panhard, Brasier, Peugeot, Berliet, Delage. [ 70 ] 7 boxes [ U ] [ E ] [ E” ] [ A-A ] [ T ] 3-16 . — STOCK MICHELIN ( Compressed Air ) Grand Garage de la Gare du Nord ( Roy et Sauvage ), 95, boulevard Alsace-Lorraine ( opposite the Gare du Nord ), [ 40 ] 6 boxes [ U ] [ E ] [ E” ] [ T ] 433 . — Hirondart, 11-18, rue Cardon , [ 12 ] [ U ] [ E ] [ E” ] [ T ] 723 . — Labare, 183, route de Rouen , [ 10 ] [ U ] [ E ]. — Robart (Henri), 35, rue des Jacobins . Agt de : Renault. [ 8 ] [ U ] [ E ]. — F. Rabeuf, 26, route de Paris . [ 10 ][ U ][ E ]. [A] The above information dates from, March 1st, 1919, and may no longer be exact when it meets the reader’s eye. Tourists are therefore recommended to consult the latest edition of the “Michelin Guide to France” (English or French), before setting out on the tour described in this volume. THE MICHELIN TOURING OFFICES at: 99, Boulevard Pereire, PARIS, and 81, Fulham Road, Chelsea, LONDON. S.W. 3, will be pleased to furnish motorists with advice and Information, free of charge. Special itineraries free, on request. The   “Michelin   Wheel” BEST of all detachable wheels because   the   least   complicated Elegant It embellishes even the finest coachwork. Simple It is detachable at the hub and fixed by six bolts only. Strong The only wheel which held out on all fronts during the War. Practical Can be replaced in 3 minutes by anybody and cleaned still quicker. It prolongs the life of tyres by cooling them. A N D   T H E   C H E A P E S T IN MEMORY OF THE MICHELIN EMPLOYEES AND WORKMEN WHO DIED GLORIOUSLY FOR THEIR COUNTRY A M I E N S BEFORE AND DURING THE WAR Copyright 1919 by Michelin & Cie. ——— All rights of translation, adaptation or reproduction (in part or whole) reserved in all countries. PANORAMA OF AMIENS. ORIGIN In the days of the Gauls, Amiens, then known as Samarobriva, or “Bridge over the Somme,” was the capital of the Ambiani, a tribe of Belgian origin. Later it passed under Roman domination, and in the fifth century under that of the Franks. Christianity was first preached there at the beginning of the fourth century, by St. Firmin, first bishop and martyr of Amiens. After the death of Charlemagne, the town became the property of the counts and bishops. The latter were unable to defend it against the Normans, who ravaged it on several occasions. In 1185, it was annexed to the royal dominions, under Philippe Auguste. On account of its position, between Paris and the sea, Amiens acquired great importance at that time, and became the store-house for all the goods sent down the river Somme for distribution over the whole of northern France. The manufacture of cloth and linen, and the preparation of “woad” (vegetable dye-stuff used on a very large scale in the Middle Ages) caused Amiens to become as rich and flourishing as the Flemish towns. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Built on the Somme, at the confluence of that river with its tributaries, the Avre and the Selle, and at the junction of nine different railways, Amiens is divided, topographically, into three parts. To the south, is the higher or new town, bounded by two lines of boulevards planted with fine chestnut and linden trees, and occupying the site of the ancient ramparts. Between this double belt, rise the suburbs of Noyon, Henri-Ville, and Beauvais, with their straight streets, handsome mansions, and brick-built residences. In the centre, extending as far as the river Somme, is the business part of the town, containing the shops, public buildings, and ancient monuments. On the right bank, from the Somme to the lateral canal, which describes a large semi-circle between the “ports d’Amont et d’Aval,” lies old Amiens or the lower town, with its narrow winding streets, wooden houses, workshops and factories, situated between the many arms of the river. This quarter is dominated by the ancient citadel, and prolonged by the new suburbs of St. Maurice and St. Pierre, where the working population of the spinning mills and factories lives. AMIENS DURING THE WAR Twice during the War, the strategical importance of Amiens caused it to become the objective of the German armies. GERMAN FOOT-SOLDIERS ENTERING AMIENS. How the Germans occupied Amiens in 1914 After the battle of Charleroi, and in consequence of von Kluck’s manifest intention to outflank the left wing of the retreating Allies, Amiens became threatened. At that time a group of divisions under General d’Amade, comprising the 81st, 82nd, 84th, and 88th territorials, and the 61st and 62nd reserves, was stationed between Dunkirk and Mauberge, with orders to check enemy cavalry raids. However, the front allotted to these troops was so long that they formed merely a thin curtain, which was obliged to retire before the approach of the first German army. Amiens was then occupied by Moroccan troops, which were hurriedly despatched in the direction of Comon and Villers-Bretonneux, to organise defensive positions. General d’Amade arrived on August 27th. “NACH PARIS” GERMAN FIELD KITCHEN. His territorial divisions were sent by train to a point below the town, with orders to prevent the Germans from crossing the Somme. On the same day, the 61st and 62nd reserve divisions marched towards Péronne, their ultimate destination being south of the Somme. However, on debouching from Bapaume, they had an extremely violent engagement with a German army corps. The battle continued until the following day, eventually turning in favour of the enemy, and the two divisions were thrown back northwards. Further to the east, General Sordet’s cavalry corps, which was supporting the left wing of the British army to the east of the line Le Catelet-Roisel, sought to check the German advance, but was unable to prevent the enemy from reaching the outskirts of Péronne on the evening of the 27th. The cavalry accordingly withdrew to the south of the Somme. On the 28th, the enemy took Péronne, and marched on Amiens. The cavalry corps fell back towards the south. On the 29th, General Maunoury, in command of a new army (the 6th), made the necessary dispositions to prevent his left from being out-flanked, and to check the enemy, whose advance-guards nearest Amiens had reached Bray-sur-Somme, Chuignolles and Framerville. In the first line were placed: A brigade of Moroccan chasseurs; The 14th division of the 7th corps, from Alsace, which had detrained at Villers-Bretonneux on the 27th; The 45th and 55th battalions of chasseurs. On the right, in the direction of Nesle, were units of the 55th division. The French attacked during the morning, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, and capturing the village of Proyart. At the same time, the four territorial divisions moved up the Somme and established themselves in Amiens. In the evening, the enemy counter-attacked in superior numbers. The 7th corps lost the positions won that morning, and withdrew to the south. From that moment, the town became exposed; the territorials evacuated it on the 30th, during the day, their rear-guard having several skirmishes with enemy patrols near Cagny. Occupation of Amiens The enemy entered the town on August 31st, and immediately made requisitions of all kinds, including food and money. These requisitions, of a total value of about 500,000 frs., had to be complied with the same day. Retreat of the German Artillery (PLACE DE LA GARE). Twelve town councillors and the Attorney-General were taken as hostages, and were only released on September 11th after much anxious suspense and annoyance. At first, the Imperial army merely passed through Amiens on its forced march “nach Paris.” From the 1st to the 9th of September there were practically no Germans in the town. Occasionally, officers paid hurried visits, exacting further requisitions, and breaking open the safes of the Savings Banks. On September 9th, a garrison was installed, and a major appointed Kommandant of the town. Injunctions, prohibitions, and requisitions became more severe immediately. It was forbidden to be in the streets after 8 p.m., or to sell newspapers. Motor vehicles were seized, and Frenchmen residing in Amiens who had not been mobilised, were ordered to the Citadel. Two-thirds of them were eventually released, but about a thousand young men were sent away into captivity. They had scarcely left, when the Germans withdrew precipitately from the town. On September 11th, only a few laggards remained. The effect of the defeat on the Marne was making itself felt. On the 12th, General d’Amade’s advance-guards, returning from the vicinity of Rouen, re-entered the town and took a few prisoners. The territorial divisions occupied Amiens until the 17th, when they left in a north-easterly direction, taking part at the end of the month in the battles at Péronne and Fricourt, which again fixed the front line positions. Relieved and protected by lines of trenches, Amiens was safe from the enemy until March, 1918. How Amiens was saved in 1918 In 1918, a new onrush of the German armies brought them almost to the gates of Amiens. On March 21st, Ludendorff opened his great offensive by hurling a million fanatical troops against the 5th British Army. Bapaume, Péronne, and Montdidier fell in a few days; a stretch of territory, sixty kilometres broad, was occupied by the enemy, who captured enormous booty. For a moment, the road to long-coveted Paris seemed open. Thanks, however, to the prodigious resistance of the French troops, who barred the valley of the Oise, the breach was promptly closed. It was then that the enemy returned to his first objective, i.e. , the separation of the two Allied armies. On March 27th the Germans hurled themselves at Amiens, which formed the hinge of the Allies’ front. For several days the struggle continued to be extremely violent; the enemy gained some ground, but was unable to break through. Démuin, Moreuil, Marcelcave, and Hangard were fiercely disputed until March 31st. These villages mark the extreme line reached by the enemy— i.e. , 17 kilometres from Amiens. On April 4th, the Germans attacked again, determined to break through at all costs. Against the French front alone, 15 kilometres in length, eleven divisions were hurled. Crossing to the left bank of the Avre, they took the villages of Morisel and Mailly-Raineval from Debeney’s army, and threatened the railway from Clermont to Amiens, which was their objective. At Hangard, the British, shoulder to shoulder with the French, repulsed all attacks. Further to the north, they withdrew to the west of Hamel, and during the night were forced back to the Villers-Bretonneux plateau. However, vigorous counter-attacks enabled them to win back the lost ground next day. From the 15th to the 19th of April, local offensives enabled the French to clear the railway. However, the Germans had not given up their plan, and after a violent bombardment during the night, they again attacked, on April 24th at 5 a.m., the Franco-British junction between Villers-Bretonneux, held by the British, and a point west of Moreuil. Villers-Bretonneux fell, but the French troops were able to hold Hailles. Bayonet fighting took place in the streets of Hangard, which was lost during the night. RAILWAY STATION, ST. ROCH. On the morning of the 26th, the French and British counter-attacked from Villers-Bretonneux to the valley of the Luce, and drove the enemy back to their starting-point of the 24th. Once again, Amiens had escaped, but it remained within range of the German heavy guns. The town, which had previously suffered on various occasions from air bombardments, was now continuously and violently bombarded, especially by artillery, from April to June. Ruins accumulated in the town and suburbs, both of which had been evacuated by the inhabitants on April 9th. Liberation of Amiens The final liberation of the town began on August 8th, with the great Allied offensive. The 4th British army (Rawlinson) and the 1st French army (Debeney), in liaison on the road from Amiens to Roye, attacked at dawn from Braches to Morlancourt, the respective positions of Von der Marwitz and Von Hutier. The Australian and Canadian infantry, supported by numerous tanks, completely surprised the panic-stricken enemy. In a few hours, Villers-Bretonneux was cleared, and in the evening the British reached Chépilly, Framerville, Caix, and Beaucourt-en-Santerre. To the south, the French, by clever manœuvring, advanced 8 kilometres, and established themselves on the line La-Neuville-Sire-Bernard-Plessier-Rozainvillers-Villers-aux-Érables. That night, Debeney and Rawlinson joined hands at Mezières, both having captured enormous booty. On the 9th, progress was maintained, in spite of the growing resistance of the enemy. The British took the line of exterior defensive works of Amiens, and reached Le Quesnel, Rosières-en-Santerre, Rainecourt, and Morocourt. Debeney encircled Montdidier; to the north, his troops captured Arvillers and Pierrepont, while to the south, an attack made in the evening forced the enemy to evacuate the town on the following morning and to retreat to La Bossière. During the same day (10th), the British captured Proyart and approached Chaulnes. 280mm. GUN WHICH BOMBARDED AMIENS CAPTURED BY AUSTRALIANS. RANGE: 30 MILES. From that moment Amiens was safe from further aggression, as the Germans, harried by the victorious Allied armies, retreated each day. (Translation) Twelve hostages chosen from the town councillors, and the Attorney General, will answer with their lives for the undertaking entered into by the Municipality that no hostile act will be committed by the population against the German troops. 31st August, 1914. Senator-Mayor: A. Fiquet . EFFECTS OF AN INCENDIARY SHELL NEAR THE BOULEVARDS {250kb} {1MB} CENTRE OF AMIENS 1. Place Samarobrive. 2. Rue Pingré. 3. Rue des Chaudronniers. 4. Passage Gossart. 5. Rue St.-Martin. 6. Rue du Bloc. 7. Rue St. Firmin the Confessor. 8. Rue de la Malmaison. 9. Rue de Metz-l’Évêque. A—Old Water-Works (Museum); B—Hôtel Morgan de Belloy; D—St. Germain’s Church; E—Belfry; F—House of the White Gable; H—Hôtel de Ville; K—Archer’s house; L—Bailliage; S—Logis du Gouverneur du Roi. {250kb} {1MB} EXPLANATION OF THE ARBITRARY SIGNS USED IN THE ITINERARY, AND THE CORRESPONDING PAGE-NUMBERS IN THE GUIDE. The Cathedral, pp. 9-34. U —Theatre, p. 35. S —Logis du Gouverneur du Roi en Picardie, p. 36. —Rue des Trois-Cailloux. p. 36. —St. Rémy church, p. 37. —Museum, p. 38-44. —Prefecture, p. 45. 1 —Corner of bombarded streets, p. 45. H —Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), p. 45. L —Bailliage (Bailiwick), p. 46. F —Maison du Blanc Pignon (House of the White Gable), p. 47. E —Belfry, p. 47. D —Church of St. Germain, pp. 47-48. K —Maison du Sagittaire (Archers’ House), p. 48. 2 —Place des Huchers, rue du Don and neighhouring streets, pp. 49-52. 3 —Hocquet Canal, p. 50. 4 —Panorama of the Boulevard de Beauvillé, p. 50. 5 —Rue des Bouchers, p. 54. 6 —Rue des Tanneurs and Hôtel Morgan de Belloy, pp. 54-55. B —Hôtel Morgan de Belloy, p. 55. ITINERARY THE CATHEDRAL—VISIT TO THE TOWN See opposite: Coloured plan, with detailed plan of centre of town and outline of itinerary at back. What the Tourist should see Do not omit : The Cathedral ( pp. 9-36 ) especially the western and southern doorways, nave, stalls, and carving in the choir aisles. Of great interest: Picardy Museum ( pp. 40-45 ). Archæological curiosities: Façade of Theatre ( p. 35 ), Old Houses ( pp. 47-56 ), Churches of St. Leu ( pp. 52-53 ), St. Germain ( pp. 47-48 ) and St. Rémy ( p. 37 ). Picturesque sights: St. Leu Quarter ( p. 52 ), The Hortillonnages ( p. 51 ). Walks: Hotoie Park ( p. 55 ), New Boulevards , and The Rue De Beauvais ( p. 45 ), whose ruins attest the violence of the bombardment. Specialities : Macaroons, potted duck. Itinerary recommended for visiting Amiens ( Distance: 6½ miles ) Starting point: Place de la Cathédrale. THE CATHEDRAL ( historical monument ) The Cathedral at Amiens is the most perfect example of Gothic architecture extant, realizing as it does to the full, the possibilities of this style. According to Viollet-le-Duc, it is pre-eminently an “ogival church.” The Cathedral is typical, both from an architectural point of view, and also on account of its statues, which form one of the finest collections of Middle-Age sculpture. From an iconographic standpoint, this statuary constitutes one of the most complete summaries of the religious thought of past centuries. The Cathedral ( see plan, p. 22 ) covers a ground surface of about 9,000 square yards. Measured on the outside, it has a total length of about 480 feet and a width of 230 feet at the transept. It is the largest church in France. The construction of the principal façade and nave was begun in 1220, from plans prepared by the architect, Robert de Luzarches, who was succeeded in his task by Thomas de Cormont and afterwards by his son, Renaud de Cormont. Although no Cathedral has ever been built in entire conformity with the original plans, that of Amiens was probably completed more quickly than any other, and with less alteration of the original designs. In 1269, fifty years after the commencement of the building operations, there only remained to be built the upper portion of the west façade and the two great rose-windows of the transept. The only important alteration made in the original plans was the addition, in the 14th century, of chapels between the buttresses and flying-buttresses of the nave. The Cathedral is built of grey limestone, on foundations 26 feet thick. West Façade The upper portion, consisting of two towers of unequal height, finished in different styles, belongs to the 14th century. The north tower, which is the higher, contains the great bells. The openings are decorated with statues of the Apostles, which have been either restored or renewed. The upper storey of the south tower contains two bays with openings surmounted by gables. It is terminated by a pointed roof with a dormer-window and lead spikes. A gallery, called the ringers’ gallery, with covered arcades surmounted by pinnacles and turrets, connects the two towers.

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