On the first day, some 20,000 British soldiers died this figure does not include those, like Uncle Harry, who were to die later of their wounds. (An organized tour helps give some structure to the mayhem of the First World War.) The Battle of the Somme commenced on the 1 st July 1916.
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Casualties were moved with relative safety, and a field hospital (complete with operating theatre) was established underground.Īfter a few hours spent touring the battlefields, the number of lives lost becomes mind numbing. Tunnels were divided into those for foot traffic, hand-drawn trolleys and a light rail system. Up to 24,000 men could be concealed, and the remnants of electrical lighting, makeshift kitchens and even latrines are still visible. In WWI, New Zealand Royal Engineers (complete with canaries in cages) extended the tunnels so troops could move in secrecy to emerge near the German front line. Most of the buildings on Le Place des Héros have an entrance, now used mainly as cellars or for storage (and an exquisite restaurant, La Faisanderie, perfect after a day touring the battlefieldsĭespite the cold and damp – the tunnels remain at a constant 11º C, with 80% humidity and no sunlight – people lived here in medieval times. The tunnels run along five different levels, at times up to twenty metres deep.
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The origin of the name is uncertain however, from the 10 th century limestone was quarried here, until the practice was moved outside the city amidst fears the town would collapse. Not surprisingly, this was used by both civilians and the military for viewing the progress of the war.īeneath the Hôtel de Ville is an entrance to the Boves, or medieval tunnels.
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For anyone brave enough to climb the Belfry and face the bleak winds, the entire countryside is on display, and on a clear day Paris is visible. Le Place des Héros is dominated by the gothic Hôtel de Ville. Since medieval times, the main square – Le Place des Héros – has been home to a market, and now every Saturday stalls of meats, poultry, cheeses, fruits de mer and all manner of fresh produce spill over the cobbled stones and into the surrounding streets.