Results Fortifications and ramparts to visit Massiges

THE HAND OF THE MASSES

Fortifications – Ramparts
4.9/5
25 review
Closed - Open to 09h00 Opening hours

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51800Massiges, France
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2024
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2024

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

4.9/5
25 reviews
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Visited in march 2024
Le site à ne surtout pas manquer pour vraiment pouvoir imaginer la souffrance et le courage des hommes qui ont combattu dans ces tranchées. Merci aux bénévoles pour son entretien et son accessibilité remarquable. Pierre 92
Visited in march 2024
Site très bien entretenu par des passionnés (un grand merci à eux pour la qualité de la restauration). L'univers des tranchées à découvrir pour faire perdurer le devoir de mémoire. Visites guidées à réserver en avance !!
Visited in march 2024
Valódi, eredeti történelmi hely és szabadtéri múzeum.
Nagyon érdemes menézni és elgondolkozni az ott látottakon és az ott harcoló katonák mindennapjáról!
Köszönet a feltároknak és egyben az üzemeltetöknek!
Támogasd a munkájukat és és kellő alázattal látogasd meg a helyszínt, vigyázz a tisztaságra és a történelmi értékekre!
Tiszteld a hősöket!
Visited in february 2024
This place is an absolute must visit for those interested in the First World War, or people wanting to gain a little more understanding of life in front line trenches. It’s an absolutely mind blowing place with its relics and detritus of war. The time given over to conserve and reinstate this French trench system is incredible. I think it’s surely become a very important site for education and indeed as a memorial to the men and the hardships endured during the war. There is shells around of varying calibres, pots, pans, rusted rifles and even a couple stretchers which is very poignant. There’s signage to guide you around but an understanding of French is an advantage. Several boards indicate where a casualty was discovered during the works done here. He may have been hastily buried during a time of combat or covered by debris from shellfire. Good to see that names have been put to many of these individuals. Amazing work would have been to give these men back their identities. There’s more than trenches too. You are given the opportunity on this self guided exploration to see a medical post and a canteen area. There’s a couple wooded tables so you can sit, eat and ponder. It’s a place where we must be completely respectful. Original these trenches are, but they have been the work of people prepared to give their time to an amazing project. Please leave the battle artefacts as you find them.
Visited in february 2024
A surtout aller voir ,un sacré endroit,vive le devoir de mémoire

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