General view across the (Commonwealth) headstones in the CWGC St Pierre & French Cemetery, Amiens, Somme, Picardy, France.
Image details
Contributor:
Maurice Savage / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
D9Y75PFile size:
24.7 MB (1.5 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
3624 x 2384 px | 30.7 x 20.2 cm | 12.1 x 7.9 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
27 August 2012Location:
Amiens, Somme, Picardy, FranceMore information:
The Commonwealth plot in St. Pierre Cemetery was first used in September 1915 and closed in October 1919, but shortly afterwards 33 graves of 1918 were brought in from positions in or near the city. During the Second World War, Amiens was again a British base, and G.H.Q. reserve was accommodated in the area south-west of the town. There was heavy fighting in and around Amiens when the Germans broke through the Somme line and took the town on 18 May 1940. Much damage was done, but although all the houses to the west of the cathedral were completely destroyed by the bombardment, the cathedral itself and the church of St. Germain l'Ecossais survived. Amiens was retaken by the British Second Army on 31 August 1944. Nos. 25 and 121 General Hospitals were posted there in October 1944, remaining until April 1945. St. Pierre Cemetery contains 676 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 82 from the Second World War. The Commonwealth plot was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.