Part of The KB41 Collection On This Day Series !
The photograph here shows a war torn street taken in the city of Saint- Quentin, Northern France. The photograph as seen with the reverse confirms is in the city if St. Quentin and dates to the time the photo was taken and time spent in the area, as seen dated "13.IV.1940 - 14.IV.1940". The reverse information seen here is vital in adding context to the photograph. Reverse information allows for further descriptions and information to be detailed where relevant. This information of June 1940 and the location of the photograph in the region of the Westernfeldzug (Western Campaign) places this photograph within the timeline of the occupation of France and later the occupation of Paris as details the last date mentioned, 14th June 1940. Known photographs such as the Wehrmacht parade through Champs Élysées were also taken on this day.
Saint Quentin is not a new battleground. The areas of St. Quentin were battlegrounds for the First World War. The battle commonly referred to as the Battle of St. Quentin Canal was a pivotal battle of WW1. It involved British, Australian and American Forces, with this and the French forces attacking from the south it allowed for the Allied forces to break through the Hindenburg line for the first time.
To give context to the timeline surrounding this photograph, The Third Reich attacked France on the 10th May 1940. Germany also invaded the "Low Countries", these countries collectively being located in then North-Western costal region. These countries being commonly known as; Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The German forces of the Wehrmacht forces (Heer, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine) in addition to the elite forces of the Waffen SS pushed the allied forces to the west and towards the coast. The Luftwaffe and Wehrmacht Forces were told to hold their advance on 24th May 1940. This allowed for the Allied forces of British and French forces to reorganise and set up defensive positions in and around the Dunkirk region for Operation Dynamo to take place as easily and efficiently as possible. Around the 27th May 1940, the British and French held the Dunkirk perimeter but they were bomber and many propaganda leaflets were dropped to encourage a Allied Surrender. The Propaganda showing the encirclement Allied forces found themselves in and that they should surrender to be able to stay alive. However around the same time the Le Paradis Massacre took place were the 3rd SS Division Totenkopf executed by firing squad against a Barn some 97 British and French Prisoners, only Two survived. The men were executed at La Bassée Canal, the British prisoners were from the 2nd Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment.
This occurring before the Allied forces found themselves trapped at Dunkirk and were to be evacuate as a part of Operation Dynamo. The French forces holding the defensive line on land as the British were evacuated from the beach by Royal Navy and a civilian fleet, made up of fishing boats and pleasure cruisers. This evacuation of the Dunkirk beaches, all while being attacked from the air from the Luftwaffe, took place from 26th May June to 3rd June 1940. Some 338,000 British troops were evacuated before the German forces later occupied the beach on the 4th June 1940.
The Photograph here shows a war torn street within the city of St. Quentin in Northern France. With the British troops evacuated and French troops either killed in the last stand in the Battle of Dunkirk or taken as prisoners of war. The morale of the French army was low and depleted as the whole of France became occupied. The fighting seen within the towns and cities across France and the death and destruction that came with it for France to surrender dropped the morale of the people of France. This lead to many who refused to be occupied to continue resistance activities against the aggressor and now occupiers, the German forces. The French resistance, formed from civilian's of men and women who apposed the Third Reich carried out guerrilla warfare against the German forces across France. It is suggested that in this photograph this is what can be seen. The truck seen to the right of shot, assumed to be a Renault AGR, 3.5-ton, 4x2 Cargo Truck, this can be seen by details such as the front doors that can open backwards. These trucks were French made and used but later incorporated into the Wehrmacht with the occupation. As seen here with the white letters "WH" on the back, denoting a Wehrmacht Vehicle. The devastated truck next to the building that can also be seen destroyed, bricks and debris spread out as side of the building is reduced to rubble. Wood, metal and other parts of debris from explosions and fighting lines the streets. The photograph also shows wires that have been broken. On first glance it looks like a poor photograph and possible damaged film but upon close analysis the thin lines are telephone wires that can be seen attached to the telegraph poles attached to sides of buildings as seen to right and poles in distance. These wires hang in drapes, destroyed by the attack on that occurred down this street. Suggested that the truck and building were assaulted by resistance or resistance was ambushed by the Wehrmacht forces. This skirmish has resulted in much devastation that can be seen throughout the street.
The Wehrmacht forces seen here inspecting the aftermath of the conflict and the photographer snapping the shot to show the devastation in the area in which he finds himself in. It is suggested that the Soldaten seen here are Heer, likely locally stationed looking to see what has happened. Some Soldaten are seen in white drillich uniforms too. It is possible that there is some Polizei on hand to investigate and control the area. All men seen are to far to be able to make out their branch of service. Such attacks by resistance and Partisans across the occupied countries of the Third Reich was common. Such attacks temporary slowed and weakened the local based or passing Wehrmacht forces. However such attacks didn't go unpunished, such attacks lead to reprisals and consequences for many civilians of the surrounding area as a reprisal for the attack and loss of life.
This photograph highlighting the fighting and devastation that France endured, even under occupation. The photograph taken by a Soldat as he bears witness to the devastation that is seen by many other Soldaten. A photograph like many that show similar scenes to take home and allow for reflection of their service and to show their families the types of scenes in which they faced. The one seen here is not as graphic as others but still shows the scenes of chaos that occurred on the Western Front.
As always another great post!