Former Village Beaumont-en-Verdunois

The village was completely destroyed during the First World War and was never rebuilt after the war because of its location in the forbidden red zone around Verdun. In September 1914 the residents left the village, that became no man's land. Beaumont-en-Verdunois was occupied by French troops and in the early morning of February 24, 1916 German units attempt to take the village. The attack failed and the Germans started bombing the village systematically. Around 6 pm the same day the shelling stopped and the attack continued with with bayonets. The village is has become a commemorate place with a church and a monument in the old cemetery. Along the former main road one can find stone blocks with an inscription which house once stood here. Every year, on the last Sunday of September, descendants of former residents come together in the village, a tradition that is still kept alive today.

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Source

• Text: Tim De Vleeschouwer
• Photos: Koos Winkelman (1, 2), Tim De Vleeschouwer (3, 4, 5)