|
Date: |
|
Description: | obverse design : women, three, wearing turreted crowns, in attitudes of grief. Two figures stand the third, left, sits
hiding her face in her hands
obverse text : "LES VILLES MARTYRES"
reverse design : Arras Cathedral, Soissons Cathedral, Rheims Cathedral, views of. Each cathedral enclosed by a crown of
thorns
reverse text : "ARRAS" & "SOISSONS" & "REIMS"
First World War medal by Louis Desvignes commemorating the material destruction done to the historically important
French cathedral and fortress cities of Arras, Rheims and Soissons by the temporary German occupations and artillery bombardments
accompanying the fighting on the Western Front during September 1914. The physical destruction and damage to the three Cathedrals is
described in terms of a sacrilegious and grievous martyrdom and the use of the crown of thorns on the reverse is a clear reference to the
sufferings of Christ. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | Bombardment of & 9/1914 Western Front & German Offensive 1914 & Arras Western Front & German Offensive 1914 & Soissons commemorative propaganda Atrocities and War Crimes Western Front & German Offensive 1914 & Rheims | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Desvignes, Louis | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
|
|