Reims (France) -- History; World War, 1914-1918 -- France -- Reims
The chronology here published has been compiled from the local
newspapers published at Reims and at Paris. I have made use of "Le
Courrier de la Champagne", published in Reims, "Le Petit Rémois",
published in Paris from December 15, 1915, and the journal "Reims à
Paris", also published in Paris from December, 1914. The editor of the
latter paper having been called to the colours, it was merged with "La
Marne" and has appeared as "Reims à Paris et la Marne" since October 4,
1916. The daily records of the bombardment, printed in "Le Courrier de
la Champagne", are those compiled by its own staff. The records printed
in the other papers are compiled from "Le Courrier de la Champagne" and
"L'Éclaireur de l'Est", also printed in Reims. "Le Petit Rémois" has
made free use of both these papers, and in addition has published the
reports of its editor, M. Pierre Bienvenue, residing in Reims. Owing to
the fury of the bombardment in April "Le Courrier" was forced to suspend
publication for the time being, but "L'Éclaireur" was able to continue
in a much reduced form.
The French Republic paid a fine tribute to this journalistic heroism
when President Poincaré pinned the Cross of the Legion of Honour on the
breast of M. Paul Dramas, the managing editor of "L'Éclaireur de l'Est"
on June 18, 1917, when the same distinction was given to Cardinal Luçon,
Archbishop of Reims, and Deputy Mayors J. de Bruignac and E.
Charbonneaux, and some other heroic citizens. It is impossible to turn
over the pages of these little Reims papers without a heartening sense
of the courage that permitted their publication daily throughout a
harrowing siege. Heroic journalism in a very true sense.
Among other sources of information special mention should be made of "Le
Martyre de Reims", published anonymously in parts. It began with the
admirable purpose of presenting a detailed summary of life and events in
Reims during the bombardment, giving the names of persons killed or
wounded, and the locality of buildings injured. The censor speedily fell
afoul of this useful summary: names of persons and buildings were
stricken out, as well as other details, and finally the diary came to a
temporary end with Part 41.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account