Destruction of the CNEP branch in Dunkirk during the 1914-1918 war
This postcard shows the destruction of the Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP) branch that occurred when it was bombed by aircraft during the night of 25 to 26 July 1918.
Located 40 km from the front line, Dunkirk is the regular target of bombing. It suffered more than 200 assaults by aircraft and very long-range guns during the 1914-1918 War. It is against this background that the CNEP agency suffered this destruction in the last year of the conflict.
The agency’s staff displayed great courage during these events: among them, a watchman was buried in the rubble during his round and cleared only after an hour’s work; two female employees went down the streets of Dunkirk under bombs to prevent the disaster; others took part in the clearing.
In addition, the bank’s important documents were stored in the vault during the bombardment. It is thanks to the bonus proposals for staff members, found in an employee’s file, that we are aware of these events.
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