Paris bombardment 23 mars - 1er mai 1918 (≈ 1918)
185 shots, civilian casualties including Saint-Gervais.
28 avril 1922
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 28 avril 1922 (≈ 1922)
Protection by official order.
1er quart XXe siècle
Construction of the platform
Construction of the platform 1er quart XXe siècle (≈ 2025)
Concrete location for the Lang Max cannon.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Location of the German canon says the Bertha: by order of 28 April 1922
Origin and history
The Parisgeschütz platform, known as Grosse Bertha, is a military vestige located in the commune of Crépy, in the department of Aisne. The site, built in the early 20th century, served as a base for a German long range gun, capable of firing shells more than 110 km away. Between March 23 and May 1, 1918, this artillery bombarded Paris, causing many casualties, notably on St.Friday 1918, when a shell struck Saint-Gervais church.
The structure consists of an octagonal concrete tank of 5.40 metres in diameter, surrounded by two still well preserved blockhouses. This site was classified as historic monuments by decree of 28 April 1922, because of its importance in the history of the First World War. It reflects the military technological advances of the time and long-range bombardment strategies.
Today, the platform remains a place of memory, recalling the devastating consequences of armed conflicts on civilian populations. Although the practical information on visits is limited, its location is listed in heritage databases such as Merimée, under Insee code 02238. The approximate GPS location is indicated as close to Butte 9001 in Crépy.
