Péronne was bombarded by the French artillery for five months but remained in German hands until March 1917 and was reoccupied in Mach 1918. The bullet holes still visible in what remains of Church of St. Jean testifies to the violence of the fighting. The town was entirely rebuilt but suffered new destructions during the Second World War.
At the time of their retreat, the Germans had mockingly left a huge wooden panel on the ruins of the town hall with the inscription "Nicht ärgern, nur wundern" [No anger, just amazement]. This panel is now on view in Room 2 at the Historial.
On 31 August 1918, the Australians finally managed to encircle the fortified hill of Mont Saint Quentin, a key position, and the town was liberated for good. An imposing monument representing an Australian Digger is dedicated to the 2nd Australian division. An earlier monument, taken down by the Germans in 1940, showed an Australian soldier overcoming the German eagle.
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