The fields of Champagne

This is the last one, I promise. My friend and I came across this cemetary the other day whiledriving around Champagne; there were about 1000 grave markers in this small field--if you look closely, you will note that each cross is actuallydoubled, thus marking the graves of two young men.

It is impossible to make a serious study of French and not learn about the massive losses that France suffered in WWI.  The devastation of the first world war was a significant reason that French troops capitulated to Germany so quickly in 1940.  In fact, it is probably safe to say that its legacy is also one reason that France would not support the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

WWI was the first "moderized" war.  Yet despite the threat of barbed wire and machine guns that could discharge 600 rounds per minute, French (and British) soldiers were still employing the old school tactic of trench-digging.  In fact in 1917, the muddy, bloody and hopeless situation of trench warfare inspired massive mutinies.  In an effort to end the insubordinace, there were several instances where French Officers, lined up their own soldiers and randomly shot some of the mutaneers.

France lost 1.4 million men in the war.  Furthermore, the 500 000+ men who were left with disfiguring wounds (les mutilés), lived out the rest of their lives as a daily reminder to generations of their countrymen, of this horrible war.  The demographic effects of such a loss were felt for at least 40 years...