Debout les Morts !

@vingtfrong

A range of stuff connected to the French experience of the First World War chiefly, but not only, for an English-speaking audience. #1gm #ww1 #FWW Also, the practical role of French liaison officers & interpreters on the Western Front. vingtfrong.home.blog

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Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 17h

A scene surely all too common behind the lines on the #WW1 Western Front. French « infirmiers » & « brancardiers » work with doctors & medical orderlies under cover of darkness to load wounded #poilus into 3 ambulances. (Model: Musée du Service de santé des armées, Val-de-Grâce, Paris) #1GM #FWW

A model cleverly lit to suggest a nighttime scene comprising approx. 25-30 figures engaged in loading casualties (both stretcher cases and ‘walking wounded’) into the rear compartment of three ambulances - each marked on the roof with a large Red Cross on a white circle.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 2d

Well, inspired no interest whatsoever! So, here’s the answer:

Stone archway on which is carved the name ‘LA FAYETTE’. On either side Ste panels with text on. There is part of an ornate circle design on the floor. Within the portal defined by the archway it’s possible to see steps going down.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 2d

It’s a place with possibly the worst representation of an aircraft in the modern era.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 5d

#OTDiH in 1914, the #1GM French Army briefly occupied Mulhouse (at that time, German and called Mülhausen) in #Alsace. Soon forced to retire, they re-entered the city on 19 August, before again being forced out on the 24th. Here Chasseurs à Cheval ride through Wildemannstrasse (now rue du sauvage).

Rare photo sourced from this article https://www.histoire-genealogie.com/Une-photo-rare-l-entree-des-troupes-francaises-dans-Mulhouse-en-aout-1914?lang=fr# showing French cavalry riding two abreast through Mulhouse. The photograph is faded but the men’s uniforms are identifiable as those of chasseurs à cheval and the location is described by reference points in the article as likely to be modern rue du sauvage.
The article also suggests the likeliest date to be 19th August 1914. I’m less sure of this. As a momentous event in Alsatian history (a French invasion/the return of the lost lands to French control - dependent on which side of the fence you were on), it feels more likely that the *initial* entry on 8 August 1914 is the occasion).

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 5d

Often easy to forget the extent to which ‘new’ technologies we now take for granted were affecting human life & society in much of the world on the eve of the #1GM. Above all, flight. Artists’ fascination epitomised here by André Devambez’s « Le Seul oiseau qui vole au-dessus des nuages » (1910)

« Le Seul oiseau qui vole au-dessus des nuages »
André Devambez
1910
Musée d’Orsay, Paris

“The Only Bird that Flies Above the Clouds”.
A single yellow monoplane, fragile and delicate, casts its shadow on the fluffy white and grey clouds below it as it flies from left to right.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 8d

Not claiming any credit for knowledge of this subject, but found this great, brief article, with illustrations of examples (many very attractive) on an important aspect of #1GM #money - Emergency Notes. Just a couple of examples. frenchbanknotes.com/france.php?s... Source: French Banknotes

50 Centimes bank note - Bordeaux (33)
Printer: Wetterwald Frères 1917
A horn of plenty (of grapes). At the narrow end is a bust and wings of Mercury

Attractive coloured (predominantly yellow and blue, but with green, pink and red used to colour roses and foliage in the background and for the armour and clothing of two figures on either side of the word “Un 1 Franc”. These are Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard (left) and a male figure in 17th-century costume who is François de Bonne, duc de Lesdiguières (right)) one franc note issued by the Chambre de commerce de Grenoble 8 November 1917.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 9d

Bust of Alexandre Millerand. Between Aug 1914 & Sep 1915, he was war minister in the « Union sacrée » government of René Viviani. An important supporter of Joffre & considered an ally by senior military eg Buat but unpopular with parliamentarians for censorship & control of front line visits.

A bust of Alexandre Milkerand. He has a thick head of hair, bushy eyebrows and a large moustache.
In this sculpture, he has a passing resemblance to Josef Stalin.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 11d

“Well, it’s going well so far”. #OTDIH 2 August 1870. The French capture (briefly) Saarbrücken. French troops for the attack were told they “should take something to eat, as it is not known at what time they will return to camp in the evening.” #Warof1870 #FrancoPrussianWar

Capture of Saarbrucken by the French, 2 August 1870. Print published by Pellerin & Cie, Imagerie D’Epinal, late 19th century. [source: Wikipedia]

The French Emperor, Napoleon III, and the Crown Prince are depicted seeing the troops off into action.
An important moment in the war as the French advanced across the frontier but, in reality, opposition was light and afterwards the French had no clear plan of what to do next.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 11d

Waouh ! Douze ans ! Alors, c’est peut-être celle-ci ?(source: Gallica)

Affiche de la mobilisation générale, placardée par la municipalité du 8e arrondissement de Paris, rue Royale, en août 1914.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 11d

If your interest as an #historian is France in the #1GM, it’s worth being aware that the former Seine-et-Oise (formerly 78) département was split into *6* in 1968. This can add enormous fun when you are tracing #poilus who served in the #FWW. #FWWHist

Seine-et-Oise / [non identifié]. - 1 : 150 000. - Paris (10 rue de l'Eperon) : Editions géographiques André Lesot, [ca 1950] ( Paris (3 rue Suger) : Imp. Gaillac-Monrocq). - 1 carte : en coul. ; 126 x 100 cm.

Carte murale largement utilisée dans les établissements scolaires présentant à la fois les limites administratives du département de Seine-et-Oise, les axes de circulation et les principales localités (légendées en chef-lieu de département, d'arrondissement et de canton)].

1:150,000 wall map of Seine-et-Oise [ca 1950].

Wall map widely used in schools showing both the administrative limits of the department of Seine-et-Oise, the traffic axes and the main localities (citles in capital of department, district and canton)].

Districts etc are indicated in different colours The surrounding départements and the Ville de Paris are also indicated

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 12d

#OTDIH The general mobilisation order for 2 Aug was issued in France. Posters like this (printed in 1904 - only a date had to be added) were put up throughout the country. The first was at 4pm 1 Aug 1914 in Paris at the corner of place de la Concorde & rue Royale #1GM #FWW Image: IWM (IWM PST 12691)

image: two crossed French Tricolores. text: ARMÉE DE TERRE ET ARMÉE DE MER ORDRE DE MOBILISATION GÉNÉRALE
Par décret du Président de la République, la mobilisation des armées de terre et de mer est ordonnée, ainsi que la réquisition des animaux, voitures et harnais nécessaires au complément de ces armées. Le premier jour de la mobilisation est le Dimanche [ms. addition] 2 Août 1914. Tout Français soumis aux obligations militaires doit, sous peine d'être puni avec toute la rigueur des lois, obéir aux prescriptions du FASCICULE DE MOBILISATION (pages coloriées placées dans son livret). Sont visés par le présent ordre TOUS LES HOMMES non présents sous les Drapeaux et appartenant: 1. à l'ARMÉE DE TERRE y compris les TROUPES COLONIALES et les hommes des SERVICES AUXILAIRES; 2. à l'ARMÉE DE MER y compris les INSCRITS MARITIMES et les ARMURIERS de la MARINE. Les Autorités civiles et militaires sont responsables de l'exécution du présent décret. Le Ministre de la Guerre, Le Ministre de la Marine, IMPRIMERIE NATIONALE.

[Army and navy. Order for general mobilisation. By decree of the President of the Republic, the mobilisation of the army and navy is ordered, as well as the requisition of the animals, vehicles and harnesses necessary to fit out these armed forces. The first day of mobilisation is Sunday, 2 August 1914. Any Frenchman liable for military duty must, subject to being punished with the full force of the law, obey the directions in the Mobilisation Instructions (coloured pages placed in his reservist's book). The following are affected by this order: all men not at present serving in the armed forces and belonging: 1. To the Army, including the colonial troops and men in the auxiliary services; 2. To the Navy, including seamen registered for naval service and navy armourers. The civilian and military authorities are responsible for implementing this decree. The Minister for War. The Minister for the Navy. National Printworks.]

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 15d

« Parfois, Souvent, Toujours ». #1GM #génie #FWW #WW1

Insignia of the First World War French Army’s Engineer branch - le Génie - from the front of a casque Adrian mle 1915.
A classical helmet above an armoured breast plate bearing the letters “RF” - République Française.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 16d

« A la Gloire du Génie » The memorial to the French Army’s Engineer arm at Les Éparges (55), where former members of the Engineer units gather each year to remember all those who served, fought and died in all wars. In the #FWW fighting for Point X, engineers had an especially important role. #1GM

The 7 columns of the monument Mémorial « A la Gloire du Génie » symbolise the Génie specialties: Les Sapeurs-Mineurs, les Pontonniers, les Artificiers, les Télégraphistes et Transmissions, les aérostiers, les Sapeurs Electo-Mécaniciens.
Inaugurated in 1963, it was an initiative of the « section de Metz de la Société Mutuelle des Anciens du Génie et des Transmissions de l’Est de la France », which had been formed in Nancy in 1889.
Seven columns of concrete stand on a concrete plinth. On either side of the set of columns are insignia of the Génie arm.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· 17d

Morane-Saulnier Type G aircraft. French two-seater (« biplace ») used as a training aircraft early in the #FWW #1GM but obsolete by 1915.

AÉROPLANE MORANE-SAULNIER TYPE G
Constructeur: Morane-Saulnier
France, 1912
Bois, toile enduite et peinte, métal
Moteur de substitution, capotage modifié, entoilage et peintures refaits
Le Morane-Saulnier type G est la version biplace d'un appareil également produit en monoplace, le type H. Le 23 septembre 1913, à bord d'un aéroplane similaire, Roland Garros traverse la Méditerranée de Fréjus à Bizerte (Tunisie), parcourant 760 km en 8 heures et 7 minutes.
L'appareil du musée de l’air et d’espace a été transformé à une date ancienne de manière à illustrer cet exploit à la portée technique et politique considérable.
Don Robert Morane, inv. 23

MORANE-SAULNIER
G-TYPE AEROPLANE
Manufacturer: Morane-Saulnier
France, 1912
Wood, coated and painted canvas, metal
Replaced engine with a modified cowling, fabric covering and painting redone
The Morane-Saulnier G-type was the two-seater version of an aeroplane also produced as a single-seater, the type H.
On 23 September 1913, Roland Garros crossed the Mediterranean sea, flying from Fréjus to Bizerte (Tunisia) aboard a similar aircraft, covering 760 km in 8 hours 7 minutes.
This aircraft in the Air & Space Museum at Le Bourget was modified a long time ago to illustrate this exploit of considerable technical and political significance.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jul 12

A medal commemorating pupils from the French School of Fine Arts who died in the #Warof1870 designed by Charles Degeorge (1837 - 1888). « A la mémoire des élèves de l'École des beaux-arts morts pour la défense de la patrie | 1870 - 1871 » 1887 Médaillon uniface en zinc, avers MEDOR 351

Charles Degeorge (Lyon 1837 - Paris 1888).

« A la mémoire des élèves de l'École des beaux-arts morts pour la défense de la patrie | 1870 - 1871 »

Designed in 1887

Médaillon uniface en zinc, avers

Musée d’Orsay MEDOR 351

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jul 11

The Hôtel de Ville at Beauvais. (A bit hidden behind the camouflage). Finally got to visit. It was Foch’s Quartier-Général in March 1918. My main reason for being here was because of the great story of Britain’s heir to the throne in March 1917 as told by Brig-Gen. Frederick Cavendish #FWW #1GM ⬇️

The Hôtel de Ville at Beauvais. A LPW two storey building partially obscured by plant troughs.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jul 11

The war #memorial in Montfort-l’Amaury. The memorial has the dates 1914-1918 but also bears one name from the 1925 Rif conflict. There’s a plaque commemorating the Algerian conflict’s dead as well. #1GM #FWW #WW1

White stone memorial with figure of a hooded woman holding (perhaps) a palm branch in front of a wall with the list of names of the dead. At her feet is the equipment (helmet, havresac, etc) of a poilu.
At the top are the dates 1914-1918 and at the foot À NOS MORTS.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 24

May 2024: My first full day exploring the #FWW battlefields of #Alsace and the #Vosges. Camp Dubarle (the very name laden with stories to tell) in Schnepfenriedkopf in the rain. Nothing but the birds and the ghosts of the soldiers who fought here. Unforgettably, hauntingly beautiful. #1GM #soundon

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 20

Some modern #historians of the #FWW #WW1 seem to have difficulty with the effects of the German annexation of #Alsace and #Lorraine after the #Warof1870. A German city that’s about 12 kms from the border with France in 2026 was >90km further away in 1914! #maps

Carte Scolaire de l’Alsace-Lorraine en 1914.
A map of the two regions using colour lines and symbols on a beige page.

Carte d'Alsace-Lorraine prepared by C. Vogel en 1873 (source : Gallica)

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 18

3/ « 1918 ou Le Dernier communiqué » is something else. At 585 x 136 cm inc the frame, it’s as immense as its theme. The image here doesn’t do it justice. So, here’s a link to the Petit Palais website www.petitpalais.paris.fr/oeuvre/1918-.... See the ALT text for each image for more info.

« 1918 » ou « Le Dernier communiqué »
Georges Paul Leroux
(1877-1957)
Date : 1920
Matériaux et techniques : Huile sur toile
Dimensions : H. 585 x L. 136 cm (avec le cadre)
Marques et inscriptions : Signé en bas, à droite ; daté 1920
Numéro d'inventaire : PPP656
Mode d'acquisition : Achat au Salon de la Société des Artistes Français, 1920

Ce texte suivant du Petit Palais décrit et explique cet œuvre avec une précision admirable.

« Ce triptyque monumental de Georges Leroux, redécouvert à l’occasion du récolement des collections, a été restauré en 2017. L’artiste présente tout à la fois un document poignant sur l’engagement des troupes françaises dans le conflit mondial et une œuvre mémorielle qui appelle à la paix en témoignant de la violence de la guerre.

La composition réunit plus d’une cinquantaine de personnages. Soldats, officiers, pilotes, infirmières convergent vers un mur sur lequel est inscrit le texte du dernier communiqué diffusé le 11 novembre 1918 par le Grand Quartier général de l’armée française: « Au 52ème mois d’une guerre sans précédent dans l’histoire, l’Armée française, avec l’aide de ses alliés, a consommé la défaite de l’ennemi... ». À gauche, la cavalerie, les troupes coloniales, et à droite le Génie et les nouveaux chars d’assaut, témoignent de la diversité des forces engagées.

Si l’œuvre met en image un sentiment d’union nationale, elle rappelle également les désastres de la Grande Guerre en représentant des soldats mutilés, des armes maculées de boue, un drapeau français en lambeaux dressé au-dessus du cortège, avec pour horizon le paysage dévasté des zones de combat. »

“This monumental triptych by Georges Leroux, rediscovered during collection stocktaking, was restored in 2017. The artist presents both a poignant document on the engagement of French troops in the global conflict and a memorial work which calls for peace by bearing witness to the violence of war.

The composition includes over 50 figures. Soldiers, officers, pilots and…

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 18

2/ Georges Paul Leroux may be an artist whose work you already know. « Aux Éparges, soldats enterrant leurs camarades aux clair de lune, avril 1915 » undoubtedly references his front line experiences. It’s wonderful; immediately feeling intimate & personal to the artist, but also ABOUT the war.

AUX ÉPARGES, SOLDATS ENTERRANT LEURS CAMARADES AU CLAIR DE LUNE. AVRIL 1915.
Auteur : LEROUX Georges Paul
Lieu de conservation : musée national du château de Versailles (Versailles)
Date: 1939
Huile sur toile
Une excellente description de l’œuvre est ici:

« Dans une terre jonchée de débris et hérissée de croix de bois, deux soldats coiffés du casque Adrian s’occupent du cadavre d’un de leurs camarades. L’un d’eux lit ses papiers afin de l’identifier et d’écrire à sa famille, tandis que plus haut, sur le talus, deux autres hommes creusent une tombe. La toile témoigne ainsi de la solidarité des combattants, du souci manifesté par les « copains » de donner une sépulture à ce mort, de maintenir des rites sociaux malgré les circonstances. Pas de personnalisation toutefois, aucun visage n’est vraiment visible, sauf celui du mort, dont les yeux sont estompés dans l’image. Ce sont des ombres qui agissent, des masses qui ne font qu’un avec la terre. Ni déchiqueté, ni défiguré, le cadavre n’a rien qui inspire l’horreur, et c’est précisément ce réalisme calme qui fait la force expressive de ce tableau. »

“In a land littered with debris and bristling with wooden crosses, two soldiers wearing Adrian helmets take care of the corpse of one of their comrades. One of them reads his papers to identify him and write to his family, while above, on the slope, two other men are digging a grave. The canvas thus testifies to the solidarity of the fighters, the concern shown by the "friends" to give a burial to this dead man, to maintain social rites despite the circumstances. No customisation however, no face is really visible, except that of the dead man, whose eyes are blurred in the image. They are shadows that act, masses that are one with the earth. Neither shredded nor disfigured, the corpse has nothing that inspires horror, and it is precisely this calm realism that makes the expressive force of this painting.”

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 18

These four drawings of French soldiers of 302e Régiment d’Infanterie by Georges Paul Leroux, an artist who served as sergent in the unit, feature as part of an interpretation panel at Les Éparges, where the regiment fought between Sep-Dec 1914 & again in Feb-Mar 1915. #1GM #WW1

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 16

L’église Saint-Lucien in the commune of Courcelles-Epayelles (60) - standing direct on the line of advance of 359e Régiment d’infanterie on 11 June 1918. (Photo taken in June 2019). #1GM #WW1

L’église Saint-Lucien in Courcelles-Epayelles (Oise). A building of light stone with a triangular facade (with round window) above an arched door) and tall tower. The latter is topped by a grey spire and with a white clock face with black hands set into its side above an arched window and below three smaller arched windows.
In front of the church is a low stone wall and in front of that several rose bushes with red flowers.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 12

#OTDiH 12 June 1915, it was not only practical for French officers to buy & wear items of British military clothing - especially those designed for wet weather (recognition of British expert knowledge based on the climate in the rain-soaked isles they inhabited) - it was also considered chic. #1GM

French advertisement for Burberrys’ range of military clothing from an issue of « L’Illustration » dated June 12, 1915.
Beneath the title « Equipment de Guerre Burberry pour officiers français et anglais” there are four drawings of men wearing Burberry uniform items: a British officer in « serge d’été » or gabardine, an aviateur in « Gabardine imperméable », another officer who is looking through binoculars in the rain wearing « le Weatherproof Burberry » and a cavalryman on horseback in manteau de cavalerie with cape.
The ad includes an endorsement from général d’Urbal.
At the foot of the page there’s the Paris and London addresses of the company’s shops.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 10

#1GM Generals Joseph Joffre, Fernand Langle de Cary and Adolphe Guillaumat in discussion in this photo which featured on the front cover of the journal « l’Illustration » No. 3762 with the title « Délibération de généraux », 10 Apr 1915. Plenty of rank insignia on display on képis & uniform sleeve.

Three French generals in peaked képis and overcoats stand in a group discussing something.
I think they’re all wearing the M1914 manteau de cavalerie. Let’s see if anyone knows. …

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 10

I claim no credit! @stephan74.bsky.social was there with the answer. By a coincidence, something I’m working on at the moment included this - the caption tells us the Tissot mask was revolutionary giving the wearer greater visibility by letting air pass over the eye-pieces. Image ref: IWM (Q 61057)

A soldier in a French Tissot « masque à gaz ». This looks to be the same officer mentioned in the French official newsreel film referenced in this thread. The gas mask has a filter tank the wearer carries on his chest, hose, mouthpiece with upward-facing air nozzle and a close fitting mask with eye-pieces.

Image: IWM (Q 61057)

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 9

In the nécropole nationale in Guebwiller (68), which sits alongside a German #ww1 cemetery, these two columns raised by the Souvenir Français in June 1939 declare that “The bodies sleep, the souls are vigilant”. #1GM #FWW

A rough red stone column capped by a pyramidical stone and with a small arched ‘window’ (probably for a lantern) bears a plaque with the Latin words “Corporal Dormiunt”.

A rough red stone column like the one in the other photograph capped by a pyramidical stone and with a small arched ‘window’ (probably for a lantern) bearing a plaque with the Latin words “Vigilant animae”.
In each photograph, in the background is an Obelisk memorial with a cross and text panel on it made of blocks of red stone capped by another pyramid, as well as a flagpole with the French tricolour and tall green pine trees.

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 8

Staying with la Nécropole nationale Waldmatt de Guebwiller #Alsace. On the Souvenir Français mémorial, a woman in traditional costume prays at the grave of a French #pioupiou (with képi on top of the cross) seemingly watched over by a benign figure (also wearing a képi?) #spookydooky #1GM #ww1 #FWW

A plaque made of what might be a modern metal alloy set in the red stone wall of the cemetery memorial with Le Souvenir Français Section de Guebwiller beneath it depicts a woman in traditional Alsatian costume (noticeably the large bow-like headwear) praying at the grave of a French soldier. The grave cross has a képi on top.
More prosaically than the post, a water mark on the stone looks somewhat like someone sat perhaps with their back to the viewer wearing a képi.
If you’re visually impaired, I’m sure you’ll trust my diligence in recording what the image shows as I’m always a devotee of the ALT text option. Anyone who’s otherwise unable to see the figure and says so is to be treated with disdain.
But don’t tell the others …

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 7

The last verse of the poem « La Prière des Tranchées » by Sylvain Royé on a metal plaque set into a wall at the beautiful & peaceful Nécropole nationale Waldmatt de Guebwiller. Soldat Sylvain Donatien Théophile Hippolyte Royé, 34e RI, was reported as missing in action at Douaumont, 24 May 1916. #1GM

« D'autres heures viendront, plus belles et meilleures.
La Victoire luira sur le dernier combat.
Seigneur, faites que ceux qui connaîtront ces heures
Se souviennent de ceux qui ne reviendront pas. »

The last verse of the poem « La Prière des Tranchées » by Sylvain Royé on a metal plaque set into the reddish stone wall of the beautiful and peaceful Nécropole nationale Waldmatt de Guebwiller.

There is a version of this poem with the word « naîtront » instead of « viendront » in the first line.

My translation would be:
“Other hours will come, more beautiful and better.
Victory will shine on the last battle.
Lord, let those who know those hours
Remember those who will not come back.”

Debout les Morts !@vingtfrong· Jun 4

There’s a forensically detailed account of « le drame de Lagarde » by Alan Macdonald (aka Bill MacCormick) available from the author and from other sources. It provides much more on the consequences of the ‘myth’ of the battle and how the French Army attempted to address it. #FWWhist #1GM #WW1