marina Posted 12 February , 2005 Author Share Posted 12 February , 2005 Marika - brilliant, thanks. And he looks so small in his photo! Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broznitsky Posted 12 February , 2005 Share Posted 12 February , 2005 Also, I found an article from 1918 in the Toronto Star. He told the reporter that he was just fed up of standing in the mud up to his waist all day. "I was so fed up standing in the trench with water to my waist that I said the hell with it and started after the German army. My captain tried to shoot me because he figured I was deserting. " This might be a bit of a tale: he won the VC in late August; I don't think the hot summer weather would have promoted waist-deep water. I'm sure like most Allies he stood in water filled holes, but not in August. You never know though, he could have been in the unlucky platoon who got the deepest, most poorly drained position on the Lens front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 13 February , 2005 Share Posted 13 February , 2005 What would be the reason for this difference in maintenance? Erwin. A one word answer... rotation. The French wargraves lot tend to spend money/work on one area at a time in rotation. That isn't entirely the case, as far as I can make out. The funding for the French cemeteries seemingly comes from a departement (county) source; some department spend more on cemeteries than others. Thus some are in better condition than others, and are renovated more often. I have tried many times to get to the bottom of this - would welcome any input from our French members? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 13 February , 2005 Author Share Posted 13 February , 2005 Also, I found an article from 1918 in the Toronto Star. He told the reporter that he was just fed up of standing in the mud up to his waist all day. "I was so fed up standing in the trench with water to my waist that I said the hell with it and started after the German army. My captain tried to shoot me because he figured I was deserting. " This might be a bit of a tale: he won the VC in late August; I don't think the hot summer weather would have promoted waist-deep water. I'm sure like most Allies he stood in water filled holes, but not in August. You never know though, he could have been in the unlucky platoon who got the deepest, most poorly drained position on the Lens front. Ah, well, old soldiers have a way with their stories ...we understand and love them just the same! Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Benoit Douville Posted 14 February , 2005 Share Posted 14 February , 2005 Marika, I just read the account of Filip Knowal, quite an interesting story and what a great soldier he was, killing 16 German soldiers before he was seriously injured! He really deserved the Victoria Cross. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterySergeantMajor Posted 14 February , 2005 Share Posted 14 February , 2005 What would be the reason for this difference in maintenance? Erwin. A one word answer... rotation. The French wargraves lot tend to spend money/work on one area at a time in rotation. That isn't entirely the case, as far as I can make out. The funding for the French cemeteries seemingly comes from a departement (county) source; some department spend more on cemeteries than others. Thus some are in better condition than others, and are renovated more often. I have tried many times to get to the bottom of this - would welcome any input from our French members? That is maybe part of the answer, but Rancourt is OK and that one wasn't, just a few kilometers away in the Somme area? Erwin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derwisj Posted 14 February , 2005 Share Posted 14 February , 2005 Erwin, I think that the more touristic (rancourt, verdun, notre dame de lorette) are better kept up than others where not so much tourists come. I think these three come first, and for the rest there can be a rotation tour? Only an idea. pascal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterySergeantMajor Posted 15 February , 2005 Share Posted 15 February , 2005 Sounds acceptable, but the French national cemetery is just near the important Serre nr. 1 and 2 cemeteries and nearby Sheffield Park area. Rancourt has no immediate wellknown British cemetery in it's neighbourhood. There is a small one, but I've not the impression it's often visited. Erwin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derwisj Posted 15 February , 2005 Share Posted 15 February , 2005 Yes, but rancourt has a special meaning to the french, just like notre dame de lorette and verdun; it is somewhere where they commemorate the deads of the whole battle of the somme ( french) something like the menin gate and thiepval monument to the british. I think they do the upkeek for the french people to show them that the war graves are kept in good order; I dont think that the other cemeterys on the somme are visited that much. French war memorie goes more to verdun, chemin des dames, the marne and notre dame de lorette. pascal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Ruggenberg Posted 16 February , 2005 Share Posted 16 February , 2005 According to the French photographer who took this autochrome color picture in the ruins of Reims, these are Russian soldiers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisN Posted 22 February , 2005 Share Posted 22 February , 2005 Hello Marina In addition to cemetery mentioned by Will O'Brien there is also a small memorial (attempt to attach photo) across the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 22 February , 2005 Author Share Posted 22 February , 2005 Aittle Russian minaret - there's somehthng very touching about that and i don;t really know what - it just is. Thanks for that, Chris. marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul guthrie Posted 23 February , 2005 Share Posted 23 February , 2005 This small memorial asks French children to leave some flowers for them as well as the French dead. It's across he road form their cemetery & chapel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 23 February , 2005 Author Share Posted 23 February , 2005 I see that there are flowers there - that's a nice touch. I don't suppose that they get many visitors from Russia - good someone laid some flowers down for them. Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Marina, I was just reading some pages in the regimental chronik of Infanterieregiment 49; it says for the 19 April 1917 when they were deployed at Aisne, Berry, height 91: after heavy artillery prep by the French they were attacked by genuine Russian troops in their distinct brown uniforms; 3 Russian Brigades involved -excellent fighters; they first believed they were colonial troops; when attack started at 16:00hrs, they realized : Russians; major attack with very bloody man-against-man fighting; Russians were trapped with no more connectivity to own lines; all 3 brigades were destroyed , rest POW; "Russians fought very brave and gave no pardon - we neither"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrislock Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Egbert, dont forget the Czechs had 2 divisions with the Czech legion fighting in France. These troops your article mentioned could of been Czechs. They have several memorials in that area. I have an incredible photo of a Czech soldier memorial, I wil try and find and post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 As I heard the story, the Czar sent two brigades to the Wrstern front to show solidarity. After the revolution, one brigade mutinied and the mutiny was put down by the other brigade. If you look in the chapel at their cemetery, you will see a poppy wreath that Christina Holstein laid a a ceremony some years ago. They were so tickled by it, they hung it on the wall! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malte Znaniecki Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 From my archives this photograph of the Czech-Memorial Malte Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malte Znaniecki Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Russian troops arriving at Marseille Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malte Znaniecki Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Russian sector of French front in the Champagne (Picture below) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Burns Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Hi Egbert, I checked With Snow on Their Boots and on April 17, 1917 the Russians were attacking atCourcywith their 6th Regiment. Russian casualties are given at 20%. No other action is mentioned for that day. Take care, Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 24 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Thanks to all for interesting info and the great pics. Illuminating. No quareter sounds awful, Egbert. In case anyone is interested, James Meek's novel 'The People's Act Of Love' features remnants of the Czech Legion in Siberia in 1919.. A really good read. Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrislock Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Marina. My wife is Czech and her Grandfather fought with the legion on the Eastern front. She would love to get this book! Can you advise on where to buy please? I have another czech memorial photo, as soon as I can locate, I will post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob lembke Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Chris; Looking under "Meek, James" in abebooks.com , I got 130 hits. The hits below were the least expensive. 39. The People's Act of Love (ISBN:0002006251) Meek, James Bookseller: BookCloseOuts.com (Lewiston, NY, U.S.A.) Price: US$ 5.99 [Convert Currency] Shipping within U.S.A.: US$ 4.00 [Rates & Speeds] Book Description: HarperCollins Publishers. Hardcover. Multiple copies available. Good to VG condition with small mark on edge. Bookseller Inventory # 0002006251 [bookseller & Payment Information] [More Books from this Seller] 40. The People's Act of Love (ISBN:1841957305) Meek, James Bookseller: Bookarudy (Rutherford, NJ, U.S.A.) Price: US$ 6.00 [Convert Currency] Shipping within U.S.A.: US$ 3.00 [Rates & Speeds] Book Description: Cannongate, 2006. SOFT COVER. Book Condition: Fine. First Edition. ADVANCE UNCORRECTED PROOF. Bookseller Inventory # 005165 [bookseller & Payment Information] [More Books from this Seller] abebooks.com , at any given time, lists 70,000,000 used books available at stores and dealers around the world. Aside from buying, a great way to check out info on a book, scarcity, availability, etc. Bob Lembke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
De Petrowski Alexander Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Help! Chris pointed me to a place on the site which told what happened to Russian soldiers on the Front after the Revolution. I want to check the story and can't find it agian. Any one know where it is? Marina <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Here are some sites, the Remaining Russians were after the revolution grouped in the Russian Legion (La Legion Russe) http://members.aol.com/begemot/legion/lrhome.htm http://batmarn2.club.fr/russians.htm http://emigrationrusse.com/en/index.php?op...&task=view&id=2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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