Albert

- The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Brebieres. Totally destroyed during the Great War and rebuilt as it had been before.The Golden Virgin sculpture which stood on the dome of the Basilica was damaged During Battle of Albert 1914. In 1914 the French and Germans staged their troops in Albert, France and the German troops suspected that the French may use the bell tower as an observation post to direct military maneuvers, so beginning in October 1914 they shelled the dome. By 7 January 1915 the dome was destroyed and by 21 January 1915 the base of The Golden Virgin was hit and the statue was knocked sideways past 90 degrees. The Madonna and Child statue above the dome was damaged, separated, recast and placed upon the newly reconstructed basilica.




Somme Battles and Memorials