ANNALES DE LA GUERRE 66 [Main Title]

French newsreel on the Battle of the Matz, Western Front, 9th-15th June 1918.

The battle began with von Hutier's offensive on the River Oise and continued with Fayolle's counteroffensive. It is shown as a series of impressions of the actions of French soldiers, rather than strategy. Cyclists move past dismounted lancers, who mount up and follow along the dusty road. Heavy guns, well dug-in but probably 145mm naval guns, fire. A Cavalry regiment canters up in open formation, dismounts and advances on foot with rifles and machine guns, still in open formation. A tractor brings a 155mm Schneider gun into position. It is unlimbered and opens fire, controlled by an observer up a tree. 155mm howitzers join in. The next scene (tinted red) shows camouflage netting on a 155mm gun catching fire and the gunners throwing earth onto it. Renault lorries in convoy bring reserves up to the front. An observation kite balloon in the sky. Troops, having just debussed, leave their motor transport and march through a village, possibly Ressons. Three Saint Chamond tanks move up the road, the first two named 'Rambouillet' and 'Loup-Carou'. Near the battle area Infantry make their way through the standing corn and dig foxholes, setting up their automatic weapons. Observers send morse signals to the crews of 75mm guns, who strip the camouflage from the guns and open fire. The Germans bombard the plain near Belloy on 11th June while observers from Tenth Army watch the fire, and a small group of walking wounded comes past. Other troops of Tenth Army move up through the unharvested crops, dead Germans lie in the corn and stretcher-cases are brought back to the dressing station. One German walking on crutches shows his bandaged head and foot to his French escort. In the line of advanced posts among the trees and corn the soldiers rest, eat and clean their rifles.

35mm