Compiegne Forest, Armistice Clearing, Picardy,France. February 2014
Compiegne Forest, Armistice Clearing, Picardy,France. February 2014
The forest of Compiègne was the site of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany which ended World War I on 11 November 1918.[31] The French commander-in-chief Marshal Foch convened the armistice talks deep in the forest beside the tiny village of Rethondes,[32]:261 with an eye towards secrecy because he wanted to shield the meeting from intrusive journalists,[33] as well as spare the German delegation any hostile demonstrations by French locals.[34]
Armistice of 1940
During World War II, a second treaty was signed in the forest, this time arranging an armistice between France and Nazi Germany (22 June 1940).[35] With an unmistakable desire to humiliate his defeated enemy,[34] German dictator Adolf Hitler gave orders that the surrender should be received in exactly the same spot, even the same railway car, where the Germans had surrendered in 1918.[34]
Images of the armistices
Ferdinand Foch outside the armistice train.
The Great War concludes, 11 November 1918.
The second Treaty of Compiègne, 22 June 1940.
Hitler observing the statue of Marshal Foch.
Armistice Clearing
Main article: Glade of the Armistice
A memorial slab marks the location of the original railcar at Armistice Clearing.
A memorial site called Clairière de l'Armistice ("Glade of the Armistice", or "Armistice Clearing") covers the historic treaty area. Additions include a statue of Marshal Foch and the large Alsace-Lorraine Memorial, which depicts an Allied sword pinning down an Imperial German eagle. A famous memorial tablet placed at the precise location of the cease-fire signing reads (in French), Here on the eleventh of November 1918 succumbed the criminal pride of the German Reich... vanquished by the free peoples which it tried to enslave.[36]:50 The original tablet was destroyed by the Nazis, but a new one was emplaced after the war.[37]
For the 1918 meeting, the French had specifically assem
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![Compiegne Forest, Armistice Clearing, Picardy,France. February 2014<br />
The forest of Compiègne was the site of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany which ended World War I on 11 November 1918.[31] The French commander-in-chief Marshal Foch convened the armistice talks deep in the forest beside the tiny village of Rethondes,[32]:261 with an eye towards secrecy because he wanted to shield the meeting from intrusive journalists,[33] as well as spare the German delegation any hostile demonstrations by French locals.[34]<br />
Armistice of 1940<br />
<br />
During World War II, a second treaty was signed in the forest, this time arranging an armistice between France and Nazi Germany (22 June 1940).[35] With an unmistakable desire to humiliate his defeated enemy,[34] German dictator Adolf Hitler gave orders that the surrender should be received in exactly the same spot, even the same railway car, where the Germans had surrendered in 1918.[34]<br />
<br />
Images of the armistices<br />
<br />
Ferdinand Foch outside the armistice train.<br />
<br />
The Great War concludes, 11 November 1918.<br />
<br />
The second Treaty of Compiègne, 22 June 1940.<br />
<br />
Hitler observing the statue of Marshal Foch.<br />
<br />
Armistice Clearing<br />
Main article: Glade of the Armistice<br />
A memorial slab marks the location of the original railcar at Armistice Clearing.<br />
<br />
A memorial site called Clairière de l'Armistice ("Glade of the Armistice", or "Armistice Clearing") covers the historic treaty area. Additions include a statue of Marshal Foch and the large Alsace-Lorraine Memorial, which depicts an Allied sword pinning down an Imperial German eagle. A famous memorial tablet placed at the precise location of the cease-fire signing reads (in French), Here on the eleventh of November 1918 succumbed the criminal pride of the German Reich... vanquished by the free peoples which it tried to enslave.[36]:50 The original tablet was destroyed by the Nazis, but a new one was emplaced after the war.[37]<br />
<br />
For the 1918 meeting, the French had specifically assem](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000anbe8jZFBcE/fit=1000x750/Compiegne-Armistice-Clearing-47314BW.jpg)
