THE HAND OF THE MASSES
La Main de Massiges is a natural fortress with a very special shape which, seen from the air, looks like a hand
Overlooking the Aisne valley, at the junction of the Champagne and Argonne fronts, the Main de Massiges is a natural fortress, with a very particular shape which, seen from the sky, looks like a hand. The Germans took refuge there in September 1914. From then on, the French tried at all costs to retake this strategic height from the enemy. The Germans laid out and fortified the place, and each finger became a veritable bastion that was to be the scene of bloody fighting, as were the underground galleries dug by the two armies. It was only at the end of 1915 that the French managed to retake part of the Main de Massiges without, however, totally dislodging the Germans. It was not until the Franco-American offensive of 1918 that the position was completely liberated. Today, the Main de Massiges brings you back to life a part of the history of the Great War through its funnels dug by the explosion of mines and its 600 metres of trenches maintained in state.
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Members' reviews on THE HAND OF THE MASSES
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Dass sich dieses Gelände in privatem Besitz befindet und kostenfrei zugänglich ist, verdient höchsten Respekt. Es vermittelt auf eindrückliche Weise, wie es sich angefühlt haben muss, unter widrigsten Bedingungen im Stellungskrieg zu überleben.
Ein besonderer Dank gilt dem Eigentümer, der dieses zeitgeschichtliche Mahnmal mit großem Engagement erhält und so das Gedenken an die Sinnlosigkeit und das Leid des Krieges lebendig hält. Ein Ort, der unter die Haut geht – und unbedingt besucht werden sollte.