JulianR Posted 14 January , 2018 Share Posted 14 January , 2018 Does anyone know if French units were required to keep the equivalent of War Diaries and if so are they accessible? In particular I am after the War Diaries of any French railway unit in Salonika Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 14 January , 2018 Admin Share Posted 14 January , 2018 Hi Julian The Memoire des Hommes website has war diaries, regimental histories and the Official Histories. That should help you to find out which units were there and then get the war diaries and/or regimental histories. Glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mva Posted 14 January , 2018 Share Posted 14 January , 2018 (edited) hello from the Somme : in order to use the site Glen has given, you must know which regiment - and, of course, when ! If this can help, I can ask questions in 'my' French forum, do feel free to ask ! kind regards, martine Edited 14 January , 2018 by mva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianR Posted 14 January , 2018 Author Share Posted 14 January , 2018 I have found out that it was a company of 5eme regt du genie, but no more. They arrived on 19th October, 1915, so how do I proceed from there. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apwright Posted 14 January , 2018 Share Posted 14 January , 2018 That would be 6e compagnie. Unfortunately their war diary stops at May 1915. http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/ark:/40699/e005298eb74615bd/5298eb746733f The historique of 5e RG has a paragraph or so about them (p.20-21; says they arrived on 10.10, but the JMO of the AO confirms your date of 19.10): http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6239072s The railway construction/operating units I have at Salonika were: 6e and 10e compagnies of 5e régiment du génie. A detachment of 7e section de chemins de fer de campagne of 5e régiment du génie (from January '16). 2 batteries of (what on 1.8.17 became) 68e régiment d'artillerie à pied (for narrow gauge, Decauville) ... but I haven't found out which two batteries these were, or what their designations were prior to 1.8.17. Unfortunately, again, none of their JMOs survive. The diaries of the commandement du génie de l'AO http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/ark:/40699/e00528935ef53b73/528935ef59f01 don't say much about railways. You might try wading through the transcriptions of the comptes-rendus bimensuels of the AO/AFO/CAA in the annexes of the official history, Les Armées françaises dans la Grande Guerre, Tome VIII, vols. 1, 2 & 3. http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/inventaires/ead_ir_consult.php?fam=11&ref=FRSHD_AFGG_ead These often provide a summary of railway construction in the last 15 days, but rarely mention the units involved, I'm afraid. Hope this helps! Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianR Posted 14 January , 2018 Author Share Posted 14 January , 2018 Adrian, Many thanks for all that. I was reading the War Diary of 19 Railway Operating Coy, Royal Engineers and it mentioned that soon after their formation they finished off erecting the last of the Great Western Railway locos that had been sent to Salonika, and was wondering why the French had been erecting them. I will go through all the references eventually. Thanks again Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardenerbill Posted 14 January , 2018 Share Posted 14 January , 2018 Hi Julian, Have you seen this topic Salonika Railways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianR Posted 14 January , 2018 Author Share Posted 14 January , 2018 Mark, Yes thanks Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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