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Montdidier French national war cemetery

La nécropole nationale de Montdidier. © ECPAD

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The national war cemetery of Montdidier contains the remains of soldiers killed during the various battles that took place in the Somme between 1914 and 1918. Created n 1924, this war cemetery was extended until 1936 to contain the bodies of soldiers exhumed from temporary military cemeteries or isolated graves. There are close to 7,500 soldiers buried at this site: 5,789 French soldiers in individual graves, including 1,671 in two ossuaries, one Belgian and one Italian.

From 31st August to 13th September 1914, Montdidier was briefly occupied. After the Battle of the Marne, this town remained under fire from German artillery. Due to the numerous bombardments, it suffered major destruction. In the spring of 1917, the front retreated forty kilometres. After the German withdrawal at the Hindenburg line, Montdidier seemed to be finally free. But in spring 1918, Montdidier was occupied once again until 10th August, the date when the town in ruins was finally liberated.

A plaque commemorates the singular destiny of Montdidier during the First World War after which it received the Legion of Honour.

From the Second World War, there are 24 airmen from the Commonwealth buried here (13 British, 10 Canadian and one Australian), who died in April 1942 and in May 1944. On the outskirts of the city, a monument was erected in memory of the 212 French airmen who died in the skies over Picardy in May-June 1940.

La nécropole nationale de Montdidier. © ECPAD

Le Président du Conseil, Georges Clemenceau discutant avec un soldat sur la colline du Plémont, mai 1918. © ECPAD

Chars Schneider montant en lignes à Léglantiers, juin 1918. À Léglantiers, sur la route de Ravenel à Laneuvilleroy, les équipages de l’AS 15 commandés par le lieutenant Rougier quittent le champ de bataille du Matz. Rattachés au groupement III, les chars Schneider de l’AS 15 subissent des pertes importantes lors de la contre-offensive du 11 juin menée vers le village de Belloy. Cette localité, centrale dans le dispositif allemand, est alors fortement défendue par les troupes allemandes de la 3. Reserve Division.Reserve Division. Les batteries de chars de l’ AS 15 sont accompagnées par les soldats du 114e régiment d’infanterie de ligne, rattaché à la 152e division d’infanterie. © ECPAD/Jacques Ridel