The
Parisian publication, Liberté, outlines
The
German invasion of the town, Peronne.
Overlooking
Peronne in the woods of Racogne,
Were
situated German guns and from the East;
Artillery
positioned on the Somme’s left bank.
From
here they began to shell the town,
Which
greatly suffered – 5pm and Germans,
Just
outside the town, were fought fiercely
By
Alpine regiments and French Dragoons –
But
by force the troops had to retreat.
With
Germans entering the town at 5.30pm
The
enemy soldiers behaved wildly, shouting
And
shooting at windows, to terrorise people.
On
reaching the Town Hall, they summoned
The
authorities – none came, so setting fire
To
the Sub-prefecture building and houses.
Pouring
petrol about and throwing grenades-
Meant
the main square was quickly in danger,
Of
being totally destroyed - when a priest
Canon
Caron, Stepped forth to talk to officers.
He
gained a promise - all German movements,
Through
their town, should not be marked
In
destruction of the ancient town of Peronne.
Three
citizens were then selected to administer
The
town, while four hostages were taken -
After
three days they were safely released.
From
the date 27 August to 14 September,
The
occupation lasted, with the Germans
Behaving
wilfully, in their taking provisions,
Searching
and looting all shops and houses.
They
filled their trains with stolen furniture,
Which
was then sent onto Germany.
On
5 September the head German Doctor,
Gave
orders for transportation of all French
Wounded
to go to Amiens - The Red Cross
Sent
20 automobiles with Doctors and nurses.
At
the point of their leaving for Amien,
They
were forcibly detained in Peronne
By
the town governor, Colonel Von Kosser.
Released
from barracks after two days,
They
were forced to walk to Amiens, as all
The
automobiles were commandeered.
In
a hurry the enemy left the town,
On
14 September - leaving ambulances
Wounded
and the medical staff consisting
Of
25 Doctors, 70 women, 150 assistants,
A
Protestant and a Franciscan Chaplain,
And
some sisters’ - the nuns being armed.
Nuns
with heavy revolvers gave a reason;
For
their self-protection. By the morning,
A
French cavalry division made occupation.
While
The Geneva Convention was violated,
The
ambulance personnel were treated well
The
ambulances were then soon organised
And
loaded onto trains, sent to Switzerland
Meanwhile
the nuns with guns were disarmed.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1914.
Germans in Peronne – Loot sent to Germany- armed Nuns. The Daily Telegraph,
[online] 28 Sept. p.11. Col.3. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11124057/Daily-Telegraph-September-28-1914.html
[Accessed: 28th September 2014].
Mann, J., 2014. 100
years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 28
September 2014).
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