In 1914 Étain was bombarded on August 24th and 25th. On the 24th many inhabitants were killed. On the 25th, the inhabitants who took refuge in the cellars of the town hall perished under the ruins of the building, but 200 others escaped to Verdun.
On the same day the French forces, north of Étain, crushed the 33rd German D. R. Nevertheless the order to retire was given and the enemy occupied the town which they pillaged methodically. Every other day convoys took back to Germany, furniture, linen, wines, groceries, cloth, footwear, tools, and even materials.
In April 1915, the French troops came back quite near Étain where the line was established until February 1916.
In the town, which is partly destroyed, the church, much damaged, can be seen on the left.
Through the steeple which was cut in two by the bombardments can be seen the internal structure: the Germans had fitted up an observation post inside.
Viollet-le-Duc used to consider the church of Étain with its three naves one of the five noteworthy churches of the Meuse. It was commenced in the 13th century and finished in the 15th.
The majestic choir, with its large windows with manifold mullions, was 15th century. Inside (right aisle) could be seen the font and the Notre-Dame-de-Pitié by Ligier-Richier (photo [page 164]).
Étain church in 1918.—The Central nave, looking towards the choir.