Somme Battlefield under threat - Garbage Dump Proposal

[JOSTURM]

Forgive me if I have this wrong, or its old news. I am on business in France, from UK my home, and a French colleague said he read in French newspapers very recently of the mayor of an area in the Somme, who wanted to clear a well known battle site, to put in a landfill site. I have asked my colleague if he can remember the name of the place. Are Pals aware of this ?

Peter

[Paul Reed]

I am wondering if there is confusion here with the Hohenzollern Redoubt at Loos? There was some danger of this there. I sincerely hope there isn't going to be a replication of such a problem on the Somme.

[Paul Reed]

Sadly, it is true.

The project is in the village of Beuvraignes which is just east of the A1 motorway and south of Roye. The project is to build a waste disposal in the nearby Bois des Loges which saw heavy fighting in WW1 between French and German troops.

For those who speak French Le Figaro link:

http://www.lefigaro.fr/france/20061130.FIG...s_la_somme.html

A map showing the location of the village below; Les Loges is to the South-East.

[Paul Reed]

Link from another French report:

http://www.humanite.presse.fr/journal/2006...06-11-24-840910

Aerial photo of the wood concerned from Pagesjeune:

[Paul Reed]

Detailed account in French of the wartime history:

http://www.chez.com/santerre1418/fr/histoire/beuvraignes.htm

Plus detailed history of the wood here:

http://www.chez.com/santerre1418/fr/actu/20030202.htm

Wartime view inside the wood:

[egbert]

The full story of Les Loges/Beauvraignes can be found in Grandfather's trunk thread here and the following pages with lots of maps, stories and pictures. The wood and surrounding fields are soaked in blood.

[egbert]

...and it looks like as if there are still trenches inside the wood

[Paul Reed]

The full story of Les Loges/Beauvraignes can be found in Grandfather's trunk thread here and the following pages with lots of maps, stories and pictures. The wood and surrounding fields are soaked in blood.

Thanks for that Egbert - I had forgotten the connection.

[Owen D]

As well as the historical viewpoint there is a nature conservation issue here too.

I've started a thread here that may help.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=746468#post746468

I said to Paul in chat last night the French version of the RSPB may have some ideas to help in stopping this type of development.

http://www.lpo.fr/

[Martin Bennitt]

Le Figaro said 'les juges de Douai tranchent (no pun intended I suppose) aujourd'hui', and that was November 30. Unless mistaken, unsee what they did decide.

cheers Martin B

[egbert]

I have contacted the President of the association http://www.patrimoinedelagrandeguerre.com/ what they think about the project

[Norrette]

Does anyone know what we have to do to protect these battlefields under Heritage classifications?

Not only did our poor men fall on these fields for us, but now the modern generation wants to pour garbage over them. I am appalled. And a healthy wood destroyed to boot!

Anyone know Prince Charles?

[egbert]

I have just received an answer from the president of the battlefield association mentioned earlier. As far as I understood him: they fought against this idiotic project since 3 years and I understood also that a dissapointing court decision now has been made. He asks whether we/some people may write to the local French newspaper (he will convey the correct address) in order to internationalize the matter.

[Cnock]

Hi Egbert,

If You have the address, send it to me.

I'll write from Belgium.

Best regards,

Cnock

[egbert]

already sent to your PM box

[6th Shropshires]

I hope this area can be saved, not only from the Great War point of view but also I do hate to see woods destroyed.

Annette

[Neil Mackenzie]

To be fair - wherever they build in this area they are presumably going to have this problem. But it seems a shame to destroy a beautiful wood as well.

Neil

[egbert]

If anybody wants to make his case against the destruction of the Bois de Loges battleground, I was encouraged to post the email-addresses of the following journalists who may publish your articles:

abriancon@courrier-picard.fr (journal)

oisehebdo@oisehebdo.com (journal)

mcourt@lefigaro.fr (journal)

(patinec@france3.fr (télévision)

My own interview was successfully published yesterday in Le Parisien. For that I contacted

nsevaux@leparisien.presse.fr

My text was posted in this other GWF thread:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...c=65853&hl=

Some few pals have already participated in contacting the press, hope the one or other of you may join the French run initiative. The "internationalizing" of this matter may be of help for them.

[Chris Noble]

Hi egbert.

Whilst one's intentions to preserve areas of the Western Front are most important, the tangible remains that is, i am a bit confused as to your 'selective' approach to which areas should be preserved?

Namely, your postings on the 'Glory Hole', La Boiselle.

I can understand areas that have come under threat for a number of years, such as the Hollenzollern Redoubt, not beyond some what of 'reversal' of it's fortunes, and, in my opinion, the 'Glory Hole' as well.

Just interested to know your view point on the subject, or am i, in your words "whining".

Regards, Chris.

[egbert]

Chris this is not to be seen as selective; i was asked by a French friend who leads a campaign to internationalize the affair. If asked by a friend to take position for them/him - I wilco!!!

So the BdL is not selective and to be honest -I do not believe that the campaign will avoid the landfill, but it is worth the try. BdL certainly is not the German Glory Hole , it is one of thousand.

[uncle bill]

Glad you brought that one up Chris. I too was annoyed by some of Egbert"s postings on the Glory Hole. So your wood is somehow more worthy than the Glory Hole Egbert ? Please explain. If it is so because your relative fought there than I can understand your current fight. However, please understand that for a lot of people the Glory Hole, of which there are hundreds according to your posts, has the same emotional pull for other people.

[egbert]

So your wood is somehow more worthy than the Glory Hole Egbert ? Please explain.

It must be the special time of the year that some will not understand, or will never understand, or is it just rattling the cage?

Bill if you are able to understand English please see my explanation posted 3 hours before yours.

[Chris Noble]

Hi egbert, thanks for the clarification. Sometimes it does need people to 'take up the sword' on these issues, and for that reason, i find your actions most admirable, 'People Power' can have an effect on these situations.

Just one point egbert though. It must be remembered that there are certain areas of the Western Front that are under threat as we speak. From, in my words, to the 'destruction' of the Glory Hole, to what would seem the humblest of pill-boxes in Flanders. These sites are all significant in my opinion and should be preserved. However insignificant they mean to some, they are very important to others. I think, and i seriously have believed this for a number of years now, the tangible remains of the Front are under their greatest threat now in the name of progress, in what ever form it takes.

A sad, but i believe, a poignant thought for the New Year. What will our children think in the years to come?

Regards, Chris.

[uncle bill]

still think you are inconsistent Egbert. Your postings on the Glory Hole prove this. Or is it you derive pleasure from rattling cages as you say ?My English is fine thanks.

[Guest Trenchwire]

Its not the only area to be used as a rubbish dump if you go to Boom Ravine ,Miramont as i did in the summer last year you will see they have completely filled in a vast area of the Ravine with rubbish and they have been doing so for years here.What a shame ,Alan