BRIEF: France Reopens WWI Caves in Arras

ARRAS, France - The French government has reopened a series of underground caves that were used by British soldiers as a temporary sanctuary from the horrors of the Battle of Arras in 1917.  For eight days, approximately 24,000 soldiers used the labyrinth of caves to shelter themselves from attacks by the German army. 

The soldiers fought valiantly outside by day and took cover in the shelter at night, and their plight is reflected in simple artwork that was left behind.  The BBC reports that graffiti on every wall tells the tale of frightened soldiers, chiselling their initials into the chalk, desperate to leave some mark of their existence.

On one particular wall, a soldier gave thanks for temporary relief.  He carved, "Thanks be to God for providing us with this shelter from shells and bullets."

For those who have visited the site, these caves serve as a reminder of the need to combat impunity before it leads to the brutality of wars like this one. 

For more information, please see:

BBC - France reveals British WWI cave camp - 5 May 2008