French soldiers, some smoking, about to leave military encampment for R&R (rest and recuperation) during World War I. Sign behind soldiers say “Permissionnaires depart: autos 9.40” (“Departure permits: Vehicles 9:40” in English). Soldiers waving from truck as they leave their camp. Soldiers arriving in town. French soldiers taking down notes beside a cinema theater (Little Abellar Cinema). An Allied soldier, with chevrons on his arm, pays for a ticket at a box office. Soldiers, including some of French African descent, watch a comedian’s performance. Soldiers and civilians laughing at humor sketches of the comedian. Soldiers meet an actress wearing medieval-style period dress. A fat soldier lights a cigarette for a comrade, who is holding a bouquet of white flowers. Soldiers distribute white flowers from the bouquet. Soldier lightheartedly taps an African soldier’s cheeks, together they are laughing.
A proclamation issued on September 3, 1914 from General Joseph Simon Gallieni urging the defense of Paris in light of the French government’s evacuation for Bordeaux and the incoming Battle of Marne during World War 1. “MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF PARIS Army of Paris, Residents of Paris, The members of the Government of the Republic have left Paris to give a new impulse to the national defense. I have received the mandate to defend Paris against the invader. This mandate, I shall carry out to the end. Paris, 3 September 1914 The Military Governor of Paris, Commanding the Army of Paris, GALLIENI” translated in English. Workers using pickaxes to break stones at a park in Paris, France. Soldiers in position behind a trench made of tree branches. A soldier uses a telephone while hiding under a tent of twigs. A French military official answers call. French soldiers towing a reconnaissance aircraft. A French Blériot XI observation aircraft takes off from an airfield for a reconnaissance mission. Aerial view of countryside outside Paris and surrounding areas as seen from a Blériot XI’s , with the French Army incorporating cameras in reconnaissance planes from the beginning of World War 1. The Blériot XI aircraft lands back to the airbase. Reconnaissance pilot reports his findings, showing his logbook. French military official working at his desk. French officers consulting reports posted on a wall inside their office. Under a canopy of twigs, a military officer uses a telephone to receive orders.
Statesmen arrive at the Palace of Versailles for the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which ends the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers in World War 1. Dignitaries such as French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau arrive by car. World leaders and dignitaries walking on the palace grounds of Versailles. United States President Woodrow Wilson is seen in between Georges Clemenceau and Italian Prime Minister Francesco Savero Nitti as they walk to the Palace of Versailles. Delegates seated and talking to each other inside the Hall of Mirrors, where the treaty is signed. View of hand leafing through the Treaty of Versailles affixed with the official seals.
French soldiers marching with flags, officers on horseback, during an offensive in World War 1. Captured German soldiers, carrying blankets, march as Allied troops look on. A truck containing Allied soldiers drives by. Soldiers riding horses (pulling a cart) pass by a dead soldier. Horses pull carts carrying supplies and artillery. German prisoners-of-war sit on the ground after arriving at a camp. Allied soldiers distribute food rations to German prisoners. Food being tossed to Germans. German prisoners scramble to pick up tossed food packs on the ground.
Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin arrives at a political rally at the Russian capital Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg) during World War 1. Crowds with Russian communist placards showing support for Vladimir Lenin, who recently returned from his exile in Switzerland. Vladimir Lenin, wearing a thick black coat, addresses the crowd. A man addresses the crowd at the Nevsky Prospect, the main street of Saint Petersburg. Aux Gourmets (O’Gurme in Russian) store, specializing in imported food from Europe, can be seen in the background. A Bolshevik addresses the crowd in Nevsky Prospekt. A woman behind a placard makes an emotional speech to the crowd. Bolsheviks distribute pamphlets to the crowd. Russian military officials disembark from a car, making their way through the crowd. Bolshevik supporters rallying, marching through the streets of Saint Petersburg while holding placards and banners. More leaflets are distributed to supporters. Vladimir Lenin speaking privately.
French General Ferdinand Foch observes experimental mobile personnel shields (also known as “creeper tanks”) during demonstration, World War 1. French soldiers carrying wheels and parts to assemble creeper tanks. Assembled mobile personnel shields lined up neatly in a field. French soldiers assemble mobile personnel shields. General Ferdinand Foch and other French officers watch a soldier crawl into his mobile personnel shield Soldiers crawling in their creeper tanks across a field, one pulling a rope with him. A soldier crawls with his creeper tank across a simulation battlefield complete with explosions. General Ferdinand Foch observes the demonstration from afar. A soldier crawling with a mobile personnel shield near an explosion. In distance, soldier in creeper tank is seen frantically backing away from explosion.
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