Unidentified Photographer, [Madame Cagnet and child standing next to grave of a Lieutenant Roosevelt, France], 1918 (2010.83.15)
The grave of Lt. Quentin Roosevelt near Seringes [Seringes-et-Nesle.]. Madame Cagnet has assumed the duty of caring for the grave.
Quentin Roosevelt (1897-1918) was the youngest son of Edith and President Theodore Roosevelt. This photo was published in the New York Tribune, August 31, 1919, with the caption: “The grave of Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt in France at the edge of the wood of Chamery, east of Fere-en-Tardenois, and Mme. Pasquar Cagnet and her little daughter, caretakers of the bit of ground sacred to all America. Lieutenant Roosevelt was killed in an aerial combat with German aviators in July, 1918. Keystone View Co.”
Unidentified Photographer, [Monument erected on “Dead Man’s Hill.”], 1917-1920 (2010.83.10) [Cumières-le-Mort-Homme]
Monument erected on “Dead Man’s Hill.” Cote le Mort Homme near Verdun.
Unidentified Photographer, [The Cathedral of Reims], ca. 1918 (2010.83.19)
The Cathedral of Reims, showing the damage caused by the bombardment.
Unidentified Photographer, The ruined Church at Coucy-le-Château, ca. 1918 (2010.83.27)
The ruined Church at Coucy-le-Château.
Unidentified Photographer, [The Cathedral of Soissons], ca. 1918 (2010.83.44)
The Cathedral of Soissons [Cathédrale Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais de Soissons, 1177-1479]. destroyed by enemy bombardment during the attack in May 1918.
Unidentified Photographer, [Meuse-Argonne], September-November 1918 (2010.83.30)
Meuse Argonne. A wrecked Church-used as an evacuation station for wounded.
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was a part of the final Allied offensive of World War I. It was one of the attacks that brought an end to the War and was fought from September 26 – November 11, 1918, when the Armistice was signed.
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the largest operations of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I, with over a million American soldiers participating. It was also the deadliest campaign in American history, resulting in over 26,000 soldiers being killed in action (KIA) and over 120,000 total casualties. Indeed, the number of graves in the American military cemetery at Romagne is far larger than those in the more commonly known site at Omaha Beach in Normandy. (Archives.gov.)
Six photos made in France shortly after the end of World War One. One hundred years ago today the armistice between the Allies and Germany was signed leading to the end of World War One.
Fans in a Flashbulb 