France at War: On the Frontier of Civilization (WWI Centenary Series)

By Rudyard Kipling

France at War' is an extremely interesting collection of writings by the celebrated author, Rudyard Kipling. It was originally published in 1915 and gives an excellent insight into the contemporary views of the First World War.
This book is part of the World War One Centenary series; creating, collating and reprinting new and old works of poetry, fiction, autobiography and analysis. The series forms a commemorative tribute to mark the passing of one of the world's bloodiest wars, offering new perspectives on this tragic yet fascinating period of human history. Each publication also includes brand new introductory essays and a timeline to help the reader place the work in its historical context.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Last Post Press
• Release date: Mar 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781473367272

Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling was born in India in 1865. After intermittently moving between India and England during his early life, he settled in the latter in 1889, published his novel The Light That Failed in 1891 and married Caroline (Carrie) Balestier the following year. They returned to her home in Brattleboro, Vermont, where Kipling wrote both The Jungle Book and its sequel, as well as Captains Courageous. He continued to write prolifically and was the first Englishman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907 but his later years were darkened by the death of his son John at the Battle of Loos in 1915. He died in 1936.

Book preview

FRANCE AT WAR

On the Frontier of Civilization

By

Rudyard Kipling

Copyright © 2016 Read Books Ltd.

This book is copyright and may not be

reproduced or copied in any way without

the express permission of the publisher in writing

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Contents

Introduction to the World War One Centenary Series

A Timeline of the Major Events of World War One in Europe

A Soldier’s Cemetery

Rudyard Kipling

I

ON THE FRONTIER OF CIVILIZATION

AN OBSERVATION POST

THE BARBARIAN

SOLDIERS IN CAVES

THE SENTINEL HOUNDS

WORK IN THE FIELDS

A WRECKED TOWN

IN THE CATHEDRAL

II

THE NATION’S SPIRIT AND A NEW INHERITANCE

THE LINE THAT NEVER SLEEPS

LESSON FROM THE BOCHE

TRAGEDY OF RHEIMS

IRON NERVE AND FAITH

III

BATTLE SPECTACLE AND A REVIEW

FARM LIFE AMIDST WAR

WATCHING THE GUN-FIRE

BEHIND THE GERMAN LINES

VETERANS OF THE WAR

AN ARMY IN MOTION

ARTILLERY AND CAVALRY

THE BOCHE AS MR. SMITH

IV

THE SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE

A CITY AND WOMAN

FRENCH OFFICERS

FRONT THAT NEVER SLEEPS

THE BUSINESS OF WAR

A CONTRAST IN TYPES

V

LIFE IN TRENCHES ON THE MOUNTAIN SIDE

TRENCHES

IN THE FRONT LINE

FRONT LINE PROFESSIONALS

HANDY TRENCH-SWEEPERS

A BOMBARDED TOWN

CASES FOR HOSPITAL

VI

THE COMMON TASK OF A GREAT PEOPLE

SUPPORTS AND RESERVES

PARIS—AND NO FOREIGNERS

A PEOPLE TRANSFIGURED

THE NEW WAR

A NATION’S CONFIDENCE

Introduction to the World War One Centenary Series

The First World War was a global war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. More than nine million combatants were killed, a casualty rate exacerbated by the belligerents’ technological and industrial sophistication – and tactical stalemate. It was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, paving the way for major political changes, including revolutions in many of the nations involved. The war drew in all the world’s great economic powers, which were assembled in two opposing alliances: the Allies (based on the Triple Entente of the United Kingdom, France and the Russian Empire) and the Central Powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary. These alliances were both reorganised and expanded as more nations entered the war: Italy, Japan and the United States joined the Allies, and the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria joined the Central Powers. Ultimately, more than 70 million military personnel were mobilised.

The war was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, by a Yugoslav nationalist, Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo, June 28th 1914. This set off a diplomatic crisis when Austria-Hungary delivered an ultimatum to Serbia, and international alliances were invoked. Within weeks, the major powers were at war and the conflict soon spread around the world. By the end of the war, four major imperial powers; the German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires—ceased to exist. The map of Europe was redrawn, with several independent nations restored or created. On peace, the League of Nations formed with the aim of preventing any repetition of such an appalling conflict, encouraging cooperation and communication between the newly autonomous nation states. This laudatory pursuit failed spectacularly with the advent of the Second World War however, with new European nationalism and the rise of fascism paving the way for the next global crisis.

This book is part of the World War One Centenary series; creating, collating and reprinting new and old works of poetry, fiction, autobiography and analysis. The series forms a commemorative tribute to mark the passing of one of the world’s bloodiest wars, offering new perspectives on this tragic yet fascinating period of human history.

Amelia Carruthers

A Timeline of the Major Events of World War One in Europe