BRIEF DESCRIPTION Built on the Somme, at the confluence of that river with its tributaries, the Avre and the Selle, and at the junction of nine different railways, Amiens is divided, topographically, into three parts. To the south, is the higher or new town, bounded by two lines of boulevards planted with fine chestnut and linden trees, and occupying the site of the ancient ramparts. Between this double belt, rise the suburbs of Noyon, Henri-Ville, and Beauvais, with their straight streets, handsome mansions, and brick-built residences. In the centre, extending as far as the river Somme, is the business part of the town, containing the shops, public buildings, and ancient monuments. On the right bank, from the Somme to the lateral canal, which describes a large semi-circle between the "ports d'Amont et d'Aval," lies old Amiens or the lower town, with its narrow winding streets, wooden houses, workshops and factories, situated between the many arms of the river. This quarter is dominated by the ancient citadel, and prolonged by the new suburbs of St. Maurice and St. Pierre, where the working population of the spinning mills and factories lives. AMIENS DURING THE WAR Twice during the War, the strategical importance of Amiens caused it to become the objective of the German armies. [Illustration: GERMAN FOOT-SOLDIERS ENTERING AMIENS.] How the Germans occupied Amiens in 1914 After the battle of Charleroi, and in consequence of von Kluck's manifest intention to outflank the left wing of the retreating Allies, Amiens became threatened. At that time a group of divisions under General d'Amade, comprising the 81st, 82nd, 84th, and 88th territorials, and the 61st and 62nd reserves, was stationed between Dunkirk and Mauberge, with orders to check enemy cavalry raids. However, the front allotted to these troops was so long that they formed merely a thin curtain, which was obliged to retire before the approach of the first German army. Amiens was then occupied by Moroccan troops, which were hurriedly despatched in the direction of Comon and Villers-Bretonneux, to organise defensive positions. General d'Amade arrived on August 27th. [Illustration: "NACH PARIS" GERMAN FIELD KITCHEN.] His territorial divisions were sent by train to a point below the town, with orders to prevent the Germans from crossing the Somme. On the same day, the 61st and 62nd reserve divisions marched towards Péronne, their ultimate destination being south of the Somme. However, on debouching from Bapaume, they had an extremely violent engagement with a German army corps. The battle continued until the following day, eventually turning in favour of the enemy, and the two divisions were thrown back northwards.