November 11 is once again almost upon us and with the current conflict in Ukraine it seemed a good idea to show something of my WW1 collection that shows how occupation forces can react to the civilian population.
This is a poster which was hung up in the small Ardennes town of Marche-en-Famenne in August 1914.
During the invasion of Belgium in August 1914 the German troops acted very violently towards the civilian population, looting, rape and murder was everyday business.
What happened in Marche happened in lots of places, on August 4 1914 German troops crossed the border to execute the “Schlieffen-plan”, already on August 12 German cavalry troops passed through the small town, the bulk of the German troops, +/- 50.000 men, passed through the town between August 16 and 23, just like everywhere else they terrorize the civilian population, to guarantee safe passage the local dignitaries are taken hostage and large sums of money are demanded as contribution to the war effort.
On August 22 drunk German soldiers open fire on each other in the local old folks home, there are no casualties but panic breaks out among the German troops and they start busting down doors and setting houses on fire, the local civilians can run away from the scene.
The same day the local German commander has this poster hung up in town:
“Despite several proclamations to hand over weapons and munition, shots have been fired from windows in town.
The town of Marche has until August 23, 10 o’clock in the morning to bring the sum of 50.000 Francs to the town hall.
If this money isn’t paid on time and in full or shots will be fired again, the hostages will be shot without mercy.
The hostages are kept in the town hall.
It is strictly forbidden for the towns people to be on the streets after 9 o’clock in the evening (Belgian time) and to open any window, the penalty is being executed by firing squad.
Marche, August 22 1914 14:20 (Belgian time).
Signed Captain Heinerth”
No executions took place but in nearby Dinant a similar event happened but there the civilian population wasn’t so lucky, on August 23 1914 the town was burned down and 674 civilians were murdered.
This is a poster which was hung up in the small Ardennes town of Marche-en-Famenne in August 1914.
During the invasion of Belgium in August 1914 the German troops acted very violently towards the civilian population, looting, rape and murder was everyday business.
What happened in Marche happened in lots of places, on August 4 1914 German troops crossed the border to execute the “Schlieffen-plan”, already on August 12 German cavalry troops passed through the small town, the bulk of the German troops, +/- 50.000 men, passed through the town between August 16 and 23, just like everywhere else they terrorize the civilian population, to guarantee safe passage the local dignitaries are taken hostage and large sums of money are demanded as contribution to the war effort.
On August 22 drunk German soldiers open fire on each other in the local old folks home, there are no casualties but panic breaks out among the German troops and they start busting down doors and setting houses on fire, the local civilians can run away from the scene.
The same day the local German commander has this poster hung up in town:
“Despite several proclamations to hand over weapons and munition, shots have been fired from windows in town.
The town of Marche has until August 23, 10 o’clock in the morning to bring the sum of 50.000 Francs to the town hall.
If this money isn’t paid on time and in full or shots will be fired again, the hostages will be shot without mercy.
The hostages are kept in the town hall.
It is strictly forbidden for the towns people to be on the streets after 9 o’clock in the evening (Belgian time) and to open any window, the penalty is being executed by firing squad.
Marche, August 22 1914 14:20 (Belgian time).
Signed Captain Heinerth”
No executions took place but in nearby Dinant a similar event happened but there the civilian population wasn’t so lucky, on August 23 1914 the town was burned down and 674 civilians were murdered.
