Prior to the battle, the entire city was dedicated to the Virgin Mary (this was done several times in the city's history, most recently in 1944 to guard the city from Allied bombs).
Enne lahingut pühendati kogu linn neitsi Maarjale (seda tehti linna ajaloos mitu korda, viimati aastal 1944 linna kaitsmiseks liitlaste pommirünnakute vastu).