Professor Raffael Scheck, Audrey Wade Hittinger Katz and Sheldon Toby Katz Distinguished Teaching Professor of History, History Department
The Western Front in World War 1: Jan Plan, Dijon, France
January 2016
HI297C The Western Front in World War I: Course description: The western front was the stage of the bloodiest days ever experienced by the French, German, British, Canadian, and American armies. It brought together soldiers and military laborers from all over the world and became a symbol of modern war. Begins with a week-long introduction at Colby and then moves to Dijon (France) for the remaining three weeks. Focus is on readings of war accounts and the interpretations of historians. Includes an excursion to the key battle sites and a day trip to the French Army Museum in Paris. Taught in English. Students will stay with host families in Dijon.
This is a picture from a deserted village Craonne (which was so contaminated with explosives and so destroyed that it was abandoned). With Swedish donations, a new village was built a mile way.
From a French cemetery in the Chemin des Dames region with graves of French soldiers and a few (never identified) British servicemen. The French crosses indicate Christian soldiers. The Muslim soldiers (from French Africa) had Muslim symbols, and French Jews had a shield of David on their gravestone.