crickhollow Posted 23 October , 2019 Share Posted 23 October , 2019 The centrepiece at the Laffoux Group of Memorials to the east of Soissons is the memorial to the 12,000 men of the artillere de tranchée. 'Crapouillot' was the nickname given to the French mortarmen meaning 'little toad' and is a reference to the high-angled trajectory of a mortar round similar to a toad's leap. The memorial is in the shape of a trench mortar with fins. The information panel (below) states that 'trench mortar crews were not invited to participate in the Victory parade in July 14th 1919'. This seems to be a very odd prejudice. Do any GWF members have an explanation? I don't think German and British trench mortar teams suffered from this discrimination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthStaffsPOW Posted 23 October , 2019 Share Posted 23 October , 2019 It does seem to be odd to have singled out those who had operated with trench mortars. Could this be a mistake on the part of the plaque's creator r possibly an error in the English translation? Like you, I would be interested to know if someone has a definitive answer for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crickhollow Posted 23 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 23 October , 2019 This is the full information panel The very rough translation of the top sentence says:During the parade of the victory the servants of this weapon do not besides prompt invites to march alongside the comrades infantry and gunners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Bennitt Posted 23 October , 2019 Share Posted 23 October , 2019 A more precise translation “In addition, those who used this weapon were not allotted a place in the victory parade of July 14, 1919, with the artillery and infantry.” I am not aware of the reason for this, except possibly that the trench mortar arm was disbanded immediately after the Armistice and so officially did not exist by the time of the parade. Cheers Martin B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heid the Ba Posted 24 October , 2019 Share Posted 24 October , 2019 I don't think I have ever heard of an official dislike of them but I have read of infantry hating them for turning up and shelling the enemy but leaving before the inevitable riposte from their artillery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 24 October , 2019 Share Posted 24 October , 2019 15 hours ago, Martin Bennitt said: A more precise translation “In addition, those who used this weapon were not allotted a place in the victory parade of July 14, 1919, with the artillery and infantry.” I am not aware of the reason for this, except possibly that the trench mortar arm was disbanded immediately after the Armistice and so officially did not exist by the time of the parade. Cheers Martin B I would agree with Martin in this matter. Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 24 October , 2019 Share Posted 24 October , 2019 3 hours ago, AOK4 said: I would agree with Martin in this matter. Jan As would I. On a par with the disbandment of the MGC in the UK, I would suspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crickhollow Posted 24 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 24 October , 2019 Thanks for the comments. Reading the top of the information panel it appears that this monument was erected by an 'ancien artilleur de tranche' in 1930 and dedicated to 'une arme voue a disparaître une fois l'armistice signe' (a weapon destined to disappear once the armistice was signed). For some reason there is a suggestion that these French mortar units did not receive due recognition. I have not been able to find out how trench mortar units were organised in the French Army so unable to comment on whether they were 'disbanded' after WW1. I imagine that this capability was still relevant even up to WW2? The French Army used a variety of trench mortars listed here: http://www.passioncompassion1418.com/Canons/Eng_AfficheCanonGET.php?IdCanonAffiche=425 It included the 'Aerial Torpedo' crapouillots (as shown by the Laffaux memorial ) which I imagine had a dedicated military unit for use in the field. The organisation of trench mortar units in the British Army is briefly described here https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/the-british-trench-mortar-batteries-in-the-first-world-war/ There is also some discussion on trench mortar organisation in the British Army at GWF Trench mortar batteries (Oct 2014) Maybe a comparison of WW1 British / French and German trench mortar capability could be a topic for further research for a keen GWF member?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullerTurner Posted 25 October , 2019 Share Posted 25 October , 2019 On 24/10/2019 at 09:31, Heid the Ba said: I don't think I have ever heard of an official dislike of them but I have read of infantry hating them for turning up and shelling the enemy but leaving before the inevitable riposte from their artillery. I believe in the BEF similar opprobrium was reserved for visiting elements of the MGC and Trench Mortars too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now