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Date: |
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Description: | BRONZE
obverse design : munitions factory, interior view. Two workers are pouring molten metal into shell case mouldings from a
cauldron which is suspended from a crane
exergue : "AUX TRAVAILLEURS DES USINES DE GUERRE"
reverse design : industrial complex, view of, with factories, chimneys and railway sidings. Below, at base of design, an uninscribed
ornamental panel resting on laurel leaves
First World War French medal by Louis Desvignes which pays tribute to the toil and sacrifices of the French munitions
workers. More than any previous war, the war of 1914-1918 was a conflict dominated and determined by industrial outputs of the
belligerents. The maintenance of a continuous supply of artillery ammunition (of a bewildering diversity of calibres) was essential 'to
feed the guns', for the fighting was dominated by the use of heavy guns. Ironically, the development of long-range artillery together with
the 'aerial bombardment' meant that workers in vital war industry factories became legitimate targets and casualties. The demands of war
work of necessity meant dangerous and unhealthy conditions and long hours. The text is translated as 'To the labourers of the ammunition
plants' | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | Munitions & 1914 = 1918 munitions / manufacture workers FR.O & [munition workers] commemorative French Home Front & War Production | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Desvignes, Louis | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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