Written by Raoul Pinat Translated by Anna Mykytyn War diary April 22nd, 1917 The dugout collapsed. There are still living soldiers under it. Despite the bombing, I run to search for my pickaxe at the bottom of my pile of clothes and, between two salvos, I run toward the dugout. Lepeule takes a shovel. Hurrying,…Continue Reading Carnet de guerre de Raoul Pinat
From Bataille de Verdun Written by Lucien Gissinger Translated by Rachel Tate March 3 (1914) 3 o’clock threat. Departure immediately to the 75 forces. We fear a German attack and we wait if need be. After an hour of waiting, we change location; we will occupy the right-most wood (La Caillette). These woods are significantly…Continue Reading From Bataille de Verdun
Written by Colette Translated by Kara Dobrolsky March 1915 “The bombing began immediately and without prior warning. One quarter, left unscathed, was pillaged and burned with oil. An old woman was looking after her paralytic husband there; they chased her with the butts of their rifles and set the bed of the ill man on…Continue Reading The Same Ones
Written by Léon Hugon Translated by Jamie Fesinstine Wounded by shrapnel during the first battle of the Marne on September 9, 1914, Léon Hugon was sent to the hospital at Tulle, where he died of tetanus on September 22, 1914, the day of his wife’s 25th birthday, Sylvanie, who was left alone with a small…Continue Reading Lettre du soldat Léon Hugon
Two short pieces from A Woman’s Voice in the Fray Written by Marcelle Capy Translated by Clay Somes A Country of Death Why these macabre scenes that depict with satisfaction certain writers who have had the privilege of roaming, curious, the battlefield, after the action? Why pester the dead until they rest? Why this joy before their…Continue Reading A Country of Death & The Death of a Precursor: Léon Bonneff
Written by Désiré Edmond Renault Translated by Amanda DuCharme The son of a laundress and a laborer, Désiré Edmond Renault was born May 12, 1891 in Esmans, in the Montereau section in Seine-et-Marne. He was a baker and was mobilized for his military service for three years. Then, during the war, he was a member…Continue Reading Lettres du soldat Désiré Edmond Renault