VINGRÉ MONUMENT DES FUSILLÉS (MARTYRS DE VINGRÉ)
Aisne
France
Coordinates: 49° 25′ 43″ N, 3° 10′ 24″ E
Location Information
Vingré is a small village in the Aisne region of France. The Monument des Fusillés is located on the Rue des Vignes.
The Vingré Affair
The Vingré affair in which six soldiers were shot for cowardice illustrates how extremely harsh military discipline had become in the French Army during the First World War.
On the 27th November 1914 the 298th Infantry Regiment had taken position in the village of Vingré in the Aisne department. During an assault, the Germans overwhelmed an Advanced position and took ten prisoners. Two other threatened group of soldiers, moved back towards the shelter of the main section, 2nd Lieutenant Pauland giving the order to retreat. The officer in charge of the company, Lieutenant Paupier reproached Pauland for abandoning his post and ordered him to take his men back to the front line. However their positions were already occupied by the Germans and the soldiers failed to respond. (During the subsequent enquiry, 2nd Lieutenant Pauland did not mention the order he gave to retreat).
General de Villaret, commander of the Army Corps, decided to make an example of the 24 soldiers involved in this alleged desertion. Initially he considered executing the two squads that had retreated but after discussing the matter with a number of fellow officers it was decided to limit the execution to just six men and orders were given to this effect at the Court Martial. The court picked the six men more or less at random. Corporal Floch and Privates Gay, Pettelet, Quinaud, Blanchard and Durantet were shot on 4th December 1914 as an example to the rest of the army.
On the 27th November 1914 the 298th Infantry Regiment had taken position in the village of Vingré in the Aisne department. During an assault, the Germans overwhelmed an Advanced position and took ten prisoners. Two other threatened group of soldiers, moved back towards the shelter of the main section, 2nd Lieutenant Pauland giving the order to retreat. The officer in charge of the company, Lieutenant Paupier reproached Pauland for abandoning his post and ordered him to take his men back to the front line. However their positions were already occupied by the Germans and the soldiers failed to respond. (During the subsequent enquiry, 2nd Lieutenant Pauland did not mention the order he gave to retreat).
General de Villaret, commander of the Army Corps, decided to make an example of the 24 soldiers involved in this alleged desertion. Initially he considered executing the two squads that had retreated but after discussing the matter with a number of fellow officers it was decided to limit the execution to just six men and orders were given to this effect at the Court Martial. The court picked the six men more or less at random. Corporal Floch and Privates Gay, Pettelet, Quinaud, Blanchard and Durantet were shot on 4th December 1914 as an example to the rest of the army.
Monument des Fusillés
Images © Johan Pauwels
In this field fell in glory Corporal Floch and soldiers Blanchard, Durantet, Gay, Pettelet, and Quinault from 298 Infantry Regiment. Shot on 4th December 1914. Formally pardoned by the Supreme Court.
Bunker where the six soldiers were kept overnight before they were shot
(Located on the other side of the road from the Memorial)
Images © Johan Pauwels
Victims and the last letter written to their families
I am not afraid of death since I am innocent of the fact that we are blamed.
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I die innocent of the crime of abandoning my post with which I am charged. If instead of escaping from the Germans, I had remained a prisoner, I would still have saved my life.
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I never killed or robbed, & I hope one day to see before God the person who condemned us
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if I die it's not my fault but we will die for others
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Farewell to all, for life. I am buried in Vingré
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I return the pledge you gave me to love me forever & to love only me.
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