ANNALES DE LA GUERRE 75 [Main Title]

I. French newsreel item of refugees on foot and in carts loaded with belongings returning home after the German retreat following the Second Battle of the Marne, Western Front, August 1918.

II. French newsreel item on General Gouraud decorating troops for valour in the Second Battle of the Marne. Western Front, 14th August 1918.

III. French newsreel item of US troops, probably 3rd (Marne) Division, near the Vesle River, Western Front, August 1918.

IV. French newsreel item on the Battle of Montdidier, the start of the French Advance to Victory, Western Front, 14th-18th August 1918.

The formal ceremony takes place at the general's headquarters. He pins decorations on the standards of seven regiments, including that of 21st Battalion, Chasseurs (?). In Châlons, close to the headquarters, the troops are cheered by local people as they march through back to their barracks. On arrival they parade and dismiss to a major banquet held later in the day.

One of the US 75mm field guns in action near Fismes during a German attack, with the men throwing shells from hand to hand for stacking. A captured German 77mm FLAK 18 anti-aircraft gun on a lorry mount. The grave of Quentin Roosevelt at Chamery, captured by 32nd (Iron Jaws) Division. Men of 3rd (Marne) Division resting by the roadside at Fismes while food containers are carried past them.

The item starts with Ribécourt, captured on 14th August by 67th Division, with its church heavily damaged. Limbers of 121st Division moving through Ressons-sur-Matz. Captured German guns from the battle on display, mainly 77mm field guns with 210mm howitzers, a 77mm FLAK 18 anti-aircraft gun, machine guns and mortars. General Humbert, the Third Army commander, walks with his staff through the ruins of the château at Boulogne-la-Grasse. The railway station at Montdidier some days after its capture. A distant view of shells bursting over the German lines near Roye on 18th August in preparation for the next phase of the offensive.

35mm