Greetings Fellows
As today, July 19 2009, is the 139th anniversary of the outbreak of the Franco-German War I thought you might enjoy viewing these original images of typical French & German Infantryman of the era. This conflict was brief in time but its impact on world history was far greater than its duration would imply. It brought about the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire and the destruction of the French Second Empire under Napoleon III and the rise of the French Republic.
The CDV size images of the two French soldiers shown are typical for the time and show the basic equipment of the French Grognard and his M1866 Chassepot rifle. I've always been slightly amused by the figure on the left, he appears to be anything but a veteran. His uniform is too large, he holds his weapon in an awkward manner and he has placed his tent poles on his pack in a position sure to irritate the soldier in the file next to him. In any case he answered his country's and Emperor's call that July. The soldier on the right displays a much more determined appearance, his kit is squared away and he is alert and appears ready for anything. On a side note the photograher's name DISDERI appears at the top. Andre-Adolphe Eugene Disderi, credited with the invention of the Carte De Viste (CDV) style of photography, the Emperor himself had his image taken at Disderi's.
The two young Prussian Infantrymen are posed with full equipment and appear to be armed with the M1862 Dreyse Needle Gun. From their white leather equipments we can determine that they belonged to one of the two Grenadier battalions of their regiment, the third battalion (Fusilier) generally wore black leather equipments. Perhaps they are reservists called to the colors and they are shown here posed with their father or older friend prior to their departure for the seat of war.
During the subsequent nine months over 2,109,950 young men such as these four would march to war with over 375,000 of them becoming casualties.
Where have all the young men gone?
long time passing
where have all the young men gone?
long time ago
gone for soldiers every one
Pete Seeger
As today, July 19 2009, is the 139th anniversary of the outbreak of the Franco-German War I thought you might enjoy viewing these original images of typical French & German Infantryman of the era. This conflict was brief in time but its impact on world history was far greater than its duration would imply. It brought about the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire and the destruction of the French Second Empire under Napoleon III and the rise of the French Republic.
The CDV size images of the two French soldiers shown are typical for the time and show the basic equipment of the French Grognard and his M1866 Chassepot rifle. I've always been slightly amused by the figure on the left, he appears to be anything but a veteran. His uniform is too large, he holds his weapon in an awkward manner and he has placed his tent poles on his pack in a position sure to irritate the soldier in the file next to him. In any case he answered his country's and Emperor's call that July. The soldier on the right displays a much more determined appearance, his kit is squared away and he is alert and appears ready for anything. On a side note the photograher's name DISDERI appears at the top. Andre-Adolphe Eugene Disderi, credited with the invention of the Carte De Viste (CDV) style of photography, the Emperor himself had his image taken at Disderi's.
The two young Prussian Infantrymen are posed with full equipment and appear to be armed with the M1862 Dreyse Needle Gun. From their white leather equipments we can determine that they belonged to one of the two Grenadier battalions of their regiment, the third battalion (Fusilier) generally wore black leather equipments. Perhaps they are reservists called to the colors and they are shown here posed with their father or older friend prior to their departure for the seat of war.
During the subsequent nine months over 2,109,950 young men such as these four would march to war with over 375,000 of them becoming casualties.
Where have all the young men gone?
long time passing
where have all the young men gone?
long time ago
gone for soldiers every one
Pete Seeger