16. Vaucelles
Used by Germans as storage and command headquarters, the Abbey of Vaucelles was burned down in 1917.
Founded in the XIIth century, Vaucelles abbey was requisitioned by the Germans for use as storage and as a command headquarters. To prevent items stored falling into British hands, the Germans set fire to them in November 1917, destroying the medieval buildings and the XVIIIth century abbot’s residence. The abbey was once again the scene of bitter confrontations in 1918 and evidence of this fighting can still be seen on its walls.
