‘Albert. The Cathedral 1917’ (b/w photo)

‘Albert. The Cathedral 1917’. Photograph, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1917. Albert was a town in the Somme region of France, held by British forces throughout much of the First World War. The town was reduced to ruins by artillery bombardment during the War. The Golden, or Leaning, Virgin is visible on top of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Brebieres’ tower. This statue of the Virgin Mary and Child was knocked sideways by German artillery in January 1915 and secured in that position by the French. A superstition subsequently arose that the War would end only when the statue fell. It was finally shot off by British artillery in 1918 as the Germans advanced into Albert during their Spring Offensive.