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two old black and white photos of a train with people on the trackstwo old black and white photos of a man laying on the ground
Balsan Encheres

819 - BOMBINGS OF COMPIÈGNE, First World War ( * ) – FOUR POSTCARD…
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Estimate €60
Sale commission
Description
BOMBINGS OF COMPIÈGNE, First World War ( * ) – FOUR POSTCARDS “FRENCH PEOPLE, NEVER FORGET!”, four beautiful close-ups with captions: - 30 July & 30 August 1915, buses destroyed at the abattoirs. Animated – C.C. Ed. - 30 July & 30 August 1915, statue toppled on Rue des Tonneliers. – new photograph, Ed. - 30 July and 30 August 1915, houses on Boulevard Gambetta – C.C. Ed. - 5 September 1915 – Aerial bombardment, Compiègne railway station, destroyed carriages at the station. Animated – new photograph, Ed. ( * ) Cut in two by the front for 30 months, the department of Oise saw its population divided between the German zone and the Allied zone. Many towns in the Allied zone, recognised as industrial centres or transport hubs, suffered massive bombardments – by ground artillery or torpedoes dropped from aeroplanes – which claimed numerous civilian casualties. Compiègne was a prime target. The aim of the bombardments went beyond purely military considerations. Endangering civilians and destroying French symbols were part of a strategy of demoralisation and terror. This psychological warfare was intended to demonstrate German technological superiority.
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About the sale SALE OF COINS, BANKNOTES, MEDALS, CIVILIAN AND MILITARY HEADGEAR, INSIGNIA AND DECORATIONS – lots 300 to 598 Followed by OLD PAPERS, PHOTOGRAPHS, POSTCARDS, DOCUMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS – Lots 599 to 862
Auction location
Auction time 10/20/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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