"German soldiers surrendering", WW1

This photo is "borrowed" from a stereo slide taken by a French artillery officer during World War I.  He owned a car and was able - when off duty - to photograph wherever he wanted, including the French front lines.  My photo of this episode was part of the process of creating a photo book of the hundred slides taken by him.

The slide was entitled "Vauxaillon  -  German soldiers surrendering".  Vauxaillon is in the River Aisne sector of the western front, one which was bitterly fought over throughout the war.  (North of Soissons, and near Coucy-le-Chateau)  This incident could have taken place at almost any time between 1914 and 1918.

You can imagine the relief of some of these prisoners at the prospect of getting away from the battlefield.

The Second battle of the Aine in 1917 was very costly to the French army: 40,000 casualties on the first day, 120,000 by the twelfth.  Poor leadership and atrocious living conditions here resulted in some of the French units mutinying.  The appointment of General Pétain to command this sector and his alleviation of living conditions restored the troops' confidence. 

It is important to remember Pétain was justly considered the greatest military hero of WW1.