Bel-Air-Val-d'Ance

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Code INSEE	48038
Code Postal	48600

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South facade of the Fort castle, near Chambon-le-Château, in the Lozère département (France).

South facade of the Fort castle, near Chambon-le-Château, in the Lozère département (France). par Berrucomons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

A sentry watching for any sign of gas attacks. He is squatting beside a notice which reads, 'gas gong'. The gong appears to be a large metal drum, like an oil drum. The drumstick is hanging from a string tied to the notice. The fear of gas is described in Wilfred Owen's poem, 'Dulce et Decorum est', ' GAS! Gas! Quick, boys! .. An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling / And floundering like a man in fire or lime .. Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light / As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.' [Original reads: 'The Gas Sentry.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549298

A sentry watching for any sign of gas attacks. He is squatting beside a notice which reads, 'gas gong'. The gong appears to be a large metal drum, like an oil drum. The drumstick is hanging from a string tied to the notice. The fear of gas is described in Wilfred Owen's poem, 'Dulce et Decorum est', ' GAS! Gas! Quick, boys! .. An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling / And floundering like a man in fire or lime .. Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light / As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.' [Original reads: 'The Gas Sentry.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549298 par Ich (No restrictions)

A grave outlined by a few sticks in a muddy puddle. A simple cross bears the date 25 November 1916 and the inscription, 'RIP unknown British Soldier found buried'. Many men who died were never identified. Each of the countries involved in the war chose one of their unknown dead soldiers to represent the many who were never identified or whose bodies were never found. In Britain, the unknown soldier is buried in Westminster Abbey. [Original reads: 'Grave of an unknown British soldier.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549294

A grave outlined by a few sticks in a muddy puddle. A simple cross bears the date 25 November 1916 and the inscription, 'RIP unknown British Soldier found buried'. Many men who died were never identified. Each of the countries involved in the war chose one of their unknown dead soldiers to represent the many who were never identified or whose bodies were never found. In Britain, the unknown soldier is buried in Westminster Abbey. [Original reads: 'Grave of an unknown British soldier.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549294 par Ich (No restrictions)

Five British soldiers standing in the snow outside a building with the sign, 'Div[isiona]l Baths' . There appears to be a fairly large town in the background, so these soldiers were probably on a rest period away from the Front. Often men had only two or three baths in a month. Baths were a luxury after life in the trenches. The soldiers were not only dirty and smelly, but usually covered in lice, which were a constant irritation and could carry Trench Fever. [Original reads: 'Snow at the front. Feeling fit after the bath.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549292

Five British soldiers standing in the snow outside a building with the sign, 'Div[isiona]l Baths' . There appears to be a fairly large town in the background, so these soldiers were probably on a rest period away from the Front. Often men had only two or three baths in a month. Baths were a luxury after life in the trenches. The soldiers were not only dirty and smelly, but usually covered in lice, which were a constant irritation and could carry Trench Fever. [Original reads: 'Snow at the front. Feeling fit after the bath.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549292 par Ich (No restrictions)

Soldier collecting snow to melt for water, Western Front. In this photograph, a British soldier is shown filling a small mess tin with snow. The original caption explains that he was about to melt the snow to get some water, as the Germans had poisoned the water supply in the area. This was a common tactic of the Germans when they were forced to retreat. It not only demoralised the Allies, but created practical difficulties for them. The letters RE on the soldier's left shoulder suggest he was a Royal Engineer. By his cuff he has a good conduct chevron and a single wound stripe. [Original reads: 'The ever resourceful Tommy. As the Huns have poisoned all water, Tommy makes snow answer his purpose.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549290

Soldier collecting snow to melt for water, Western Front. In this photograph, a British soldier is shown filling a small mess tin with snow. The original caption explains that he was about to melt the snow to get some water, as the Germans had poisoned the water supply in the area. This was a common tactic of the Germans when they were forced to retreat. It not only demoralised the Allies, but created practical difficulties for them. The letters RE on the soldier's left shoulder suggest he was a Royal Engineer. By his cuff he has a good conduct chevron and a single wound stripe. [Original reads: 'The ever resourceful Tommy. As the Huns have poisoned all water, Tommy makes snow answer his purpose.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549290 par Ich (No restrictions)

The photographer has recorded a group of soldiers sheltering from a blizzard at a mobile Divisional Canteen. Their cap badges identify the men as members of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. To the left alongside the road, there are a line of parked horse-drawn vehicles, which appear to be gun limbers, and men on horses are visible in the background. The men are drinking bowls of something hot. These men were lucky. Those in the trenches often had no really warm food for days on end. The food, cooked at a distance behind the lines, was often cold before it reached the soldiers. [Original reads: 'Snow at the front. The cup that cheers.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549288

The photographer has recorded a group of soldiers sheltering from a blizzard at a mobile Divisional Canteen. Their cap badges identify the men as members of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. To the left alongside the road, there are a line of parked horse-drawn vehicles, which appear to be gun limbers, and men on horses are visible in the background. The men are drinking bowls of something hot. These men were lucky. Those in the trenches often had no really warm food for days on end. The food, cooked at a distance behind the lines, was often cold before it reached the soldiers. [Original reads: 'Snow at the front. The cup that cheers.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549288 par Ich (No restrictions)

Shell hole, Western Front. Soldiers laughing as they peer through a shell hole in a brick wall. Their cheerful faces and the lighthearted caption are at odds with the truth that the constant shelling was one of the most difficult aspects of the war for many soldiers. Many men suffered severe mental distress from shell-shock, a condition which the army tried, at first, to deny. As the war progressed, heavier guns could fire shells over the heads of their own side and far into the enemy lines. By the end of the war, for example, some of the howitzers could fire shells weighing 2000 pounds (900 kilos) over distances of 11 miles (18 kilometres). [Original reads: 'It just missed us.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549282

Shell hole, Western Front. Soldiers laughing as they peer through a shell hole in a brick wall. Their cheerful faces and the lighthearted caption are at odds with the truth that the constant shelling was one of the most difficult aspects of the war for many soldiers. Many men suffered severe mental distress from shell-shock, a condition which the army tried, at first, to deny. As the war progressed, heavier guns could fire shells over the heads of their own side and far into the enemy lines. By the end of the war, for example, some of the howitzers could fire shells weighing 2000 pounds (900 kilos) over distances of 11 miles (18 kilometres). [Original reads: 'It just missed us.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549282 par Ich (No restrictions)

British soldier wrapped up against the cold, Western Front, during World War I. The British soldier in this photograph is sitting in the snow in a wood. He does not have his rifle or other equipment and it appears to be a posed shot to show how he is dressed. Over his uniform jacket, he is wearing an animal-skin waiscoat with the hair side out. This may be one of the goatskin jackets issued in 1915. These gave a bit of additional warmth but quickly got wet through and became very smelly. The uniform at the beginning of the war was not suitable for the varied weather conditions of such a long, static conflict. After the failure of the normal greatcoats and the goatskin jackets, sleeveless leather waistcoats with a warm cloth lining were issued in 1916. These proved more suitable and remained in use. Many men also added extra non-uniform jumpers, scarves and gloves. [Original reads: 'A well clad British soldier.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549266

British soldier wrapped up against the cold, Western Front, during World War I. The British soldier in this photograph is sitting in the snow in a wood. He does not have his rifle or other equipment and it appears to be a posed shot to show how he is dressed. Over his uniform jacket, he is wearing an animal-skin waiscoat with the hair side out. This may be one of the goatskin jackets issued in 1915. These gave a bit of additional warmth but quickly got wet through and became very smelly. The uniform at the beginning of the war was not suitable for the varied weather conditions of such a long, static conflict. After the failure of the normal greatcoats and the goatskin jackets, sleeveless leather waistcoats with a warm cloth lining were issued in 1916. These proved more suitable and remained in use. Many men also added extra non-uniform jumpers, scarves and gloves. [Original reads: 'A well clad British soldier.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549266 par Fæ (No restrictions)

Troops in the snow, Western Front. A line of flat, open waggons laden with corrugated iron, tables, timber and all the other supplies needed to build some form of accommodation for the troops. Some men are already beginning to unload while others are sitting on the end truck, looking at the snowy wasteland that is their destination. Conditions during the winter were often terrible. As one officer wrote, 'It's awful weather to be fighting - it makes one feel they did things far better in the old days when they knocked off for the winter... '. [Original reads: 'Arriving at their destination.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549270

Troops in the snow, Western Front. A line of flat, open waggons laden with corrugated iron, tables, timber and all the other supplies needed to build some form of accommodation for the troops. Some men are already beginning to unload while others are sitting on the end truck, looking at the snowy wasteland that is their destination. Conditions during the winter were often terrible. As one officer wrote, 'It's awful weather to be fighting - it makes one feel they did things far better in the old days when they knocked off for the winter... '. [Original reads: 'Arriving at their destination.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549270 par Ich (No restrictions)

Soldier cleaning a rifle, Western Front. A soldier sitting cleaning the mud off his rifle with a cloth. There is a tin in front of him which may have contained grease for oiling the gun. His growth of beard suggests he may have been continuously in the trenches for several days. Soldiers were expected to be cleanshaven, although moustaches were allowed. This soldier is wearing a motley of clothing to keep warm. The cuff of a jumper can be seen under his jacket. He is also wearing one of the goatskin waistcoats issued in 1915, which were described as warm but very smelly! [Original reads: 'Before shaving Tommy cleans his rifle after coming out of the trenches.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549260

Soldier cleaning a rifle, Western Front. A soldier sitting cleaning the mud off his rifle with a cloth. There is a tin in front of him which may have contained grease for oiling the gun. His growth of beard suggests he may have been continuously in the trenches for several days. Soldiers were expected to be cleanshaven, although moustaches were allowed. This soldier is wearing a motley of clothing to keep warm. The cuff of a jumper can be seen under his jacket. He is also wearing one of the goatskin waistcoats issued in 1915, which were described as warm but very smelly! [Original reads: 'Before shaving Tommy cleans his rifle after coming out of the trenches.'] http://digital.nls.uk/74549260 par Ich (No restrictions)

Addresse : 11 place des Chirac
48600 Bel-Air-Val-d'Ance
Email : mairie.belairvaldance@gmail.com
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