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Meaux in Seine-et-Marne, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe
 

Construire

1939

 
 
Construire Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 16, 2024
1. Construire Marker
Inscription.
«Nous sommes installés dans les tranchées et abris de la guerre 14-18 que nous avons remis plus ou moins en état. Nous retrouvons des équipements ayant appartenu à des poilus, vieux bidons rouillés, godillots, gamelles, casques, obus non éclatés ou fusils rouillés, même des ossements.»
Jean Cottarel, ancien sergent de la CA 2 du 99e régiment d'infanterie. témoignage du 19 mai 1940, dans André Mudler et Yves Lacaze (dir.), Le 9-9 dans la tourmente, 1939-1945, Lyon, Éditions BGA Permezel, 2004, p.80

Il peut sembler difficile de transposer mentalement les tranchées par-delà la Première Guerre mondiale tant leur utilisation a été associée à ce conflit.

Pourtant, à regarder les manuels de stratégie militaire, le « système-tranchées » (décrit par l'historien François Cochet) n'a jamais disparu même s'il évolue nettement dans l'entre-deux guerres. De même que dans le Règlement de l'infanterie de 1940, la tranchée est réduite à une stratégie strictement défensive et son utilisation par les troupes y est moins encouragée. Les représentations de la tranchée sont plus rares et liées à une vision de la guerre fondée sur l'expectative d'un affrontement qui tarde à venir.

Cette photographie, datant de la fin de l'année 1939, montre l'aménagement d'un réseau de tranchées dans un bois en Moselle soit dans la zone évacuée par précaution face au risque d'avancée des troupes ennemies; les techniques reproduisent celles de la guerre de 14-18 puisqu'on y voit l'installation de fascines ainsi que de rondins pour renforcer les parois.

1939
We settled into the trenches and dugouts from the Great War that we more or repaired. We found equipment from the previous soldiers, rusty old canteens shoes, helmets, unexploded shells and rusty old rifles, and even bones" Jean Cottaret former sergeant from Support Company 2 (CA2) of the 99th Infantry Regiment, statement on 19 May 1940 in Andre Mudler and Yves Lacaze (eds), Le 9-9 dans la tourmante, 1939-1945 (The 99th infantry Regiment in the Torment, 1939-1945) Lyon, Editions BGA Permezel, 2004, p.80

It
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can be difficult to imagine trenches as they might be used beyond the First World War as they have become so closely associated with it Yet study of military doctrine suggests that the "trench system (as described by François Cochet) never disappeared, even if it did evolve considerably during the interwar period. In the 1940 French Infantry Regulations, trenches are relegated to a strictly defensive role, and their use is less encouraged. Depictions of the trenches are less common and attached to a vision of war based on waiting for a clash that may or may not come. This photograph from late 1939 shows work on a network of trenches in a wood in the Moselle Deportment, which was evacuated on a precautionary basis in light of a potential enemy advance. The techniques used are those of the First World War: you can see soldiers using wicker panels and logs to strengthen branch Walls. Machines using large buckets that collected earth and chucked it aside, dug trenches used for delivering water and gas supplies, as well as for a potential retreat from the frontline.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
Construire Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 16, 2024
2. Construire Marker
lists: War, World IWar, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1940.
 
Location. 48° 58.282′ N, 2° 54.289′ E. Marker is in Meaux, Île-de-France, in Seine-et-Marne. It can be reached from the intersection of Route de Varreddes and Rue Lazare Ponticelli. Marker is outside the entrance to Musée Grand Guerre. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Meaux, Île-de-France 77100, France. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Construire (here, next to this marker); Photographier La Tranchée (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Construire (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Construire (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Construire (within shouting
Close Up of 1939 Photo image. Click for full size.
November 16, 2024
3. Close Up of 1939 Photo
Des soldats de la 4e armée aménagent un réseau de tranchées
Fin 1939, Moselle

Soldiers from the French 4th Army build a network of trenches
Late 1939, Moselle Department
ECPAD (Ivry-sur-Seine) 4Armée 26 D240
Cellulose acetate film negative 6x6cm.
distance of this marker); La Tranchée (within shouting distance of this marker); Le Rail Pendant la Grande Guerre (within shouting distance of this marker); Char Saint-Chamond modèle 1917 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Meaux.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on January 25, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
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Jul. 13, 2026