Battle of the Somme WWI Battlefields and Cemetery in Amiens
After our brief halt at Arras we continued our road trip to Amiens. One unexpected scene we stumbled upon while entering Amiens was Somme WWI Battlefields and Cemetery. Initially we passed across a small one, it seemed different but we zoomed past.
Then we came across this big war grave. Rows of white grave stones, each with names, we halted for some time observing the place.
Road Trip from Arras to Amiens France
Battle of Somme Cemetery
There was not a single soul around so we weren’t sure if we would be doing the right thing by entering the place. It is not fun or adventurous either to enter cemeteries.
The cemetery is situated in the beautiful region of Picardy and the Département de la Somme.
History of Battle of the Somme
Battle of the Somme was a battle of World War 1 between the years 1st July and 18th November 1916. It was fought by the armies of the British Empire and French Third Republic against the German Empire. Battlefield was on either side of the River Somme in France. More than 3 million men fought in the battle and one million men were wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history.
The Battle of the Somme (Bataille de la Somme, Schlacht an der Somme), also known as the Somme Offensive.
Visit to Somme WWI Battlefields Cemetery
War Graves and Cemetery of Battle of the Somme France
The battle was fought by volunteer army – citizen army made up of civilian volunteers rather than professional soldiers; made up of friends, relatives and workmates from the same communities. It went on for 5 months. It was called the – Pals Battallions!
The first day of the war, 1st July 1916, saw the bloodiest of all. In the space of 30 minutes on the battle’s first day, 584 of the 720 members of the Accrington Pals were killed or wounded. The terrible losses sustained by these close-knit battalions at the Battle of the Somme devastated the populations of entire communities.
Though there was very little gain from the battle, it gave valuable experience for the later wars.
WWI battle of Somme France Cemetery
Interested in Cemetery Tourism?
Check my visit to: Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague Czech Republic
Today these battlefields of the Somme are the final resting place of many thousands of soldiers who served with the British, French and German Armies during the Great War. The battlefields scattered around have the graves for the identified and unidentified remains of those killed in action or who died of their wounds.
The land on which the British cemeteries and official memorials are situated was given by the French government. It was meant for those soldiers buried or named there to remain in perpetuity.
Somme WWI Battlefields Cemetery Memorial
War memorial Somme Battlefield France
There are plenty of guided tours to visit these cemeteries, war memorials and museums, though we didn’t plan to take any we stumbled on this place by chance. Many people take up such tours and youngsters come looking for names of their relatives. One last look at the cross there and I prayed may they rest in peace!
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A beautiful resting place for the souls that fought so many battles!
Such cemeteries are peaceful places, despite the horrors that led to their creation.
A very sad occurring, but, there are others that will do it again!
Lovely tribute to war veterans ~ Wonderful photography ~ Happy Holidays ^_^
(A Creative Harbor) aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^
Always good to have you come by my blog ^_^
you do their memories great honor with your respectful photos Indrani.
Makes it more sombre when you visit such places alone.
Looks like a beautiful resting place for the veterans. They deserve the best! Great post, thanks for sharing. Have a happy weekend!
I will echo your last line. May they rest in peace
What lovely shots of a very sad place.
It's hard to imagine all the horrors of the Battles of the Somme taking place in this beautiful place.
Thanks for sharing your images at the soldiers final resting place.
Interesting details of place, very neatly done.
Very apt, as we in the US and Hawaii bury a war hero and beloved leader this weekend.
Aloha from Waikiki, my Friend
Comfort Spiral
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I have started liking them, and started visiting them when in a new place. They are such peaceful spots.
a solemn place, for sure.
Un felice Natale e uno strepitoso fine 2012 a Te e ai tuoi cari!!
Yes, indeed! All wars are needless and sad and one can only wonder if someday countries will become wise enough to look for more peaceful ways to settle problems/differences! A beautiful, peaceful place and lovely captures as always! Have a lovely weekend, Indrani!
respecting grief is noble but is it more important to live for ensuring peace, the absence of war, than rest in it?
A needless war ( as all wars are) where thousands lost their lives – May their souls continue to RIP in this lovely cemetry.
Interesting place….i have been there in 2004…..good photo's Indrani.
Greetings and i wish you a merry X-Mas, Joop
Cemeteries such as this are an important reminder of how devastating wars are.
Nice shots!
A beautiful final resting place. I remember my sister telling me that her mother-in-law's father is buried there.
very interesting details and pictures, Indrani. Thanks for sharing…