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Posted

Hello everyone,

 

I thought it was time I introduce myself after having rushed to discover the origins of my Adrian helmet yesterday.

 

My name is Tomb, and I’m French. The First World War gripped me a number of years ago, but, I became too busy to study or indulge myself in it. However, the centennial rekindled my passion for the conflict, and all it entailed. So, I set out to figure out my name’s place in the war, and found some interesting things.

 

I had 6-7 family members involved directly in the war, ranging from a front-line German POW, to a nurse, to an artillery and infantry General who’s records can be found across numerous Verdun sources. Utilizing accounts from these ancestors, I am writing a commemorative novel in their, and every man, woman, and child’s honor.

 

My goal would be to return home this summer, and visit the sacred remains of Verdun’s great battlefield.

 

I can’t wait to learn and help (mostly learn haha) alongside you all. 

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

Posted

Welcome to the forum. A wonderful resource.

Posted
7 minutes ago, Roger H said:

Welcome to the forum. A wonderful resource.

Thank you Roger!

Posted (edited)

Greeting Tomb.

 

If you have not visited the below site before then you will be thrilled to find it full of French regimental Histories.

 

I have been looking at a number of them to find information. Many are packed full of maps and positions ( which even I can understand ).

Some of the maps are works of art.

The advantage you will have is that you will be able to read them too!!

 

 

http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/en/article.php?larub=79&titre=war-diaries-of-units-in-the-first-world-war

 

Martin

Edited by Martin Feledziak
Posted
14 minutes ago, Martin Feledziak said:

Greeting Tomb.

 

If you have not visited the below site before then you will be thrilled to find it full of French regimental Histories.

 

http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/en/article.php?larub=79&titre=war-diaries-of-units-in-the-first-world-war

 

Martin

Thank you for the warm welcome Martin - I will have a look now; Can’t believe I never came across this source!

Posted

Here is an example.

As you can see I have been looking through the war diaries of the French 1st Infantry Division. The below is an example of their position in late 1917.

 

This map includes positions for the three regiments of the 1st Division ( 1e RI, 233e RI and 201e RI) 

The left division 133e DI and the British Army to the right.

 

More like a work of art 

 

1882144990_1stDivision.JPG.27b04637c0a1ca7f281fb0a555d1b9de.JPG.a4711a2931770bd9123420a605b02678.JPG

Posted
3 minutes ago, Martin Feledziak said:

Here is an example.

As you can see I have been looking through the war diaries of the French 1st Infantry Division. The below is an example of their position in late 1917.

 

This map includes positions for the three regiments of the 1st Division ( 1e RI, 233e RI and 201e RI) 

The left division 133e DI and the British Army to the right.

 

More like a work of art 

 

1882144990_1stDivision.JPG.27b04637c0a1ca7f281fb0a555d1b9de.JPG.a4711a2931770bd9123420a605b02678.JPG

My goodness. That is beautiful. How did you come across the French databases? 

 

Let me know if you need any help with French terms (I imagine you're quite familiar though, reading maps like that :))

Posted
7 minutes ago, Martin Feledziak said:

Here is an example.

As you can see I have been looking through the war diaries of the French 1st Infantry Division. The below is an example of their position in late 1917.

 

This map includes positions for the three regiments of the 1st Division ( 1e RI, 233e RI and 201e RI) 

The left division 133e DI and the British Army to the right.

 

More like a work of art 

 

1882144990_1stDivision.JPG.27b04637c0a1ca7f281fb0a555d1b9de.JPG.a4711a2931770bd9123420a605b02678.JPG

My goodness. That is beautiful. How did you come across the French databases? 

 

Let me know if you need any help with French terms (I imagine you're quite familiar though, reading maps like that :))

 

@Martin Feledziak

 

How long have you been studying France during the war?

Posted (edited)

I have mostly been following the German IR171 - In their battles.

 

Early June 1918 - The 115th Division ( with IR171 ) were in the outskirts of LONGPONT and CORCY.

 

I was particularly interested in the French 87th Division. Who were in position near to Villers Coteretts

I do not read french but I can see that each of the three following units making up the division were present.

72nd Infantry Regiment

91st Infantry Regiment

136th Infantry Regiment

 

I could have done with you having a look through those diaries BUT I have muddled my way through now

and found what I needed.

 

The resource was pointed out to me by Forum member AOK4 who is very good at German research. 

 

Thanks Martin 

Edited by Martin Feledziak
Posted (edited)
2 minutes ago, Martin Feledziak said:

I have mostly been following the German IR171 - In their battles.

 

Early June 1918 - The 115th Division ( with IR171 ) were in the outskirts of LONGPONT and CORCY.

 

I was particularly interested in the French 87th Division. Who were in position near to Villers Coteretts

I do not read french but I can see that each of the three following units making up the division were present.

72nd Infantry Regiment

91st Infantry Regiment

136th Infantry Regiment

 

I could have done with you having a look through those diaries BUT I have muddled my way through now

and found what I needed.

 

Thanks Martin 

I was thinking Martin; What do you know about the French battalion known as "Les Gaulois", if anything?

 

Oh, and don't hesitate to ask me in the future. Best way to indulge myself is to chat with people like you!

Edited by Tomb1302
Posted
2 minutes ago, Tomb1302 said:

Les Gaulois

 

Sorry - New term to me. I have not come across it before.

 

Posted
Just now, Martin Feledziak said:

 

Sorry - New term to me. I have not come across it before.

 

No worries. This is a battalion close to my family (from what I've heard), and I haven't found much regarding it, unfortunately.

Posted

I haven't got many French things as I mostly collect German, Austro-Hungarian and British items (mostly photos).

Scan0043 (3).jpg

Posted
5 minutes ago, Jools mckenna said:

I haven't got many French things as I mostly collect German, Austro-Hungarian and British items (mostly photos).

Scan0043 (3).jpg

I admire the preservation of pictures, as they speak so deeply to me. Very humbling; Thanks for sharing Jools.

Posted
5 minutes ago, Tomb1302 said:

I admire the preservation of pictures, as they speak so deeply to me. Very humbling; Thanks for sharing Jools.

I forgot I also have this french trench art 37mm shell

WP_20181220_15_53_43_Pro (2).jpg

WP_20181220_15_53_53_Pro (2).jpg

WP_20181220_15_54_04_Pro (2).jpg

Posted
2 minutes ago, Jools mckenna said:

I forgot I also have this french trench art 37mm shell

WP_20181220_15_53_43_Pro (2).jpg

WP_20181220_15_53_53_Pro (2).jpg

WP_20181220_15_54_04_Pro (2).jpg

Gorgeous. Really hope to someday go home and be able to better experience the remains of the First World War.

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