Figure 1.--Reims was a magnificent Cathedral city. The Cathedral was one of the jewels of medieval France. The Germans entered the city early in the War, but were forced out. They continued shelling the city from the surronding heights. Mny civilians remined in the city as German artillery reduced it to rubble. Here children are playing with skittles in the ruins of their city during 1917. One boy wears his school smock. Another boy wears a French military cap.

Reims, also spelled Rheims is located in the Marne département of the Champagne-Ardenne région--northeastern France. It is situated northeast of Paris on the Vesle River, a tributary of the Aisne, and the Marne–Aisne canal. Reims, also spelled Rheims is located in the Marne département of the Champagne-Ardenne région--northeastern France. It is situated northeast of Paris on the Vesle River, a tributary of the Aisne, and the Marne–Aisne canal. Clovis' baptism behn tradition. The Reims’ cathedral has served as the place for the coronation of 25 French kings and queens — allowing it to play a more important role in France’s political history than Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral. Germny attacked France from the Rhineland during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). The principal battle was fought at Sedan. As part of the post-War settlement, the new German Empire annexed Alsace-Loraine as well as insisted on masive reparations. The possession of Alsace Loraine left Paris much more eposed in any future war. As part of an effort to protect Paries, the French began building forts to the north of France. the French Army chose Reims as one of the principal defences positions to fortify the northern approaches to Paris. Reimes was one of the French cities largely destroyed was the magnificent cathedral city of Reimes, a jewel of the Middle Ages. Damage to the Cathedral and the destruction other cultural treasuires in the battle zone would feature prominently in Allied propaganda. Perhaps fittiningly, Reims would be General Eisenhower's headquarters in World War II and the place where the NAZIs surrendered to the victorious Western Allies.

Location

Reims, also spelled Rheims is located in the Marne département of the Champagne-Ardenne région--northeastern France. It is situated northeast of Paris on the Vesle River, a tributary of the Aisne, and the Marne–Aisne canal.

Historical Background

Reims is a city of great historical importance innFrance. Reims appears in history as a Celtic center and the ste of a Roman town. Clovis who became the first king of the Franks was baptised here, meaning the decisive birth of Christinity among the Franks. Much of the Celtic-Roman popultion was already Christian. A church was built(406). This became the site of The cathedral of Reims--Notre-Dame Cathedral. It is a jewel of Gothic architecture and one of the glories of medieval Europe. It is one of th greatest churches of Europe. Clovis' baptism began a tradition. The Reims’ cathedral has served as the place for the coronation of 25 French kings and queens — allowing it to play a more important role in France’s political history than Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral.

Franco Prussian War (1870-71)

Germny attacked France from the Rhineland during the Franco-Prussian (1870-71). The principal battle was fought at Sedan. As part of the post-War settlement, the new German Empire annexed Alsace-Loraine as well as insisted on masive reparations. The possession of Alsace Loraine left Paris much more eposed in any future war. As part of an effort to protect Paries, the French began building forts to the north of France. the French Army chose Reims as one of the principal defences positions to fortify the northern approaches to Paris. They began building a chain of detached forts around Reims (1874). One fort was placed atop the ridge of St Thierry which with the neighbouring work of Chenay defended the west. Brimont was placed on a hill north of Reims where three works guarding the Laon railway and the Aisne canal. Along an old Roman road the Fort de Fresnes dfended the east. Five large works were built further east on the hills of Arnay. This defended the approaches from the upper Aisne. Forts Pompelle and Montbré fefended the south-east side. The Falaise hills on the southern are Paris side of Reims were left open and unguarded. The defensive perimeter was nearlu 22 miles long. The forts averaged about 6 miles (10 km) from the center of Reimes.

Northern France

The World War I Western Front was fought out in Belgium and Northern France. After the Germans were stopped before Paris and had to wihdraw beyond the Marne. As trench system then sneaked from the Swiss border to the Channel, the ciies and towns it crossed and the near the front lines were decestated. The range of artillery as well as offesivs ad countr offensives significantly enlarged the area devestaed. Many were totally destroyed. A wide swath of southern Belgium and northern France was devestated leaving a huge scar across the verdent landscape. The towns and cities in the war zone looked like scenes of devestation from the World War II strategic bombing campign. In sharp contast, the neighboring Rhinland was untouched. After the War, the Germans and many subsequent historians considered the Versailles Treaty and reparations imposed on the Germans to be unfair and many saw NAZI compainsts as justified. Rarely mentioned is that it was the Germans who first introduced the idea of reparations in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). Or the immese damage done to Belgium and France while Germany was virtually untouched. One of the French cities largely destroyed was the magnificent cathedral city of Reimes, a jewel of the Middle Ages. Damage to the Cathedral and the destruction other cultural treasuires in the battle zone would feature prominently in Allied propaganda. Perhaps fittiningly, Reims would be General Eisenhower's headquarters in World War II and the place where the NAZIs surrendered to the victorious Western Allies.

German Summer Offensive (August-September 1914)

The Germans launched World War I by executing a massive invasion of Belgium, largely following the the Schliffen Plan. This was designed to go around the French forts built to defend Paris by attacking through Belgium. This offered military advantages, but brought the aproprium of the world community. It would ultimately be a factor in bringing America into the War. At the time it looked like World war I would be a repeat of the Franco-Prussian War with the French quickly defeated. The German plan was, however, complicated. The Russians attacked from the east and fofces had to be shifted east. And the Belgian Army put up an unexpdctedly stiff fight. The Bitis also delployed the small, but tough British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Despite these developments, the Germans within a month were approaching Paris. The Germans despite the forts ringing Reims briefly occupied the city. The German army entered Reims (September 4), exactly 1 month after they launched the War. Then somehow 2 days later the French stopped the Germans on the Marne just shortof Paris (September 6). After the Miracle on the Marne, the Germans retreated back across the Marne to densible positions. As part of that process, they withdrew from Reimes.

Devestation in Reimes

The Germans heaily damaged Reimes during World War I. The Germans wihdrew from the city, but held the forts on the surrounding heights. They became a part of the German trench system. From the commanding heights, the German periodically shelled the city over the 4 years the war lasted. Reims was one of many cities in northern France which were essentially destroyed durng te War. much of the damage came from German artillery shelling. The Germans seemed to have aimed at the Cathedral. A French reader tells us, "During World War I historical monuments and cultural sites were not specially military objectives. The cathedral of Reims, however, was a prime target because of its height, it could be used as an observatory around the city. It became aprime target of German artillery. Reims Cathedral became known as a "Cathedral martyr" because of the German bombardment. The first shells fell on the city of Reims and the Cathedral as the Germans first approached. The abbots raised a whire flag to stop the artillery fire. Shorly afterwards the French army took back the city, but the Germans firmly entrenched themselves in the highground surrounding Reims and began shelling the city, commonly aiming at the Cathedral. here were some 300 direct hits. The German bombardment and a subsequent fire severely damage the world famous cathedrral. Scaffolding remained in place on the north tower caught fire. The fire spread to the whole structure. Lead from the roof melted and flowed through the the gargoyles, destroying the residence of the Archbishop. Subsequently, the residents picked up the Gargoyles and returned them at the end of the war. The destruction of this monument led to a strong wave of emotion across France. Several wounded German soldiers were killed in the Cathedral." The Germnans ponded the city for 4 years. What ever their reasons, it was just one more act that helped the British paint the image of the ruthlessbHun on the Germans. The ruined Reimes cathedral became one of the central images of Allied anti-German propaganda during the war. Propagad hs negative implications, but it does not mean that the charges involved wre necesarily false.The Reimes Cathedral along with the ruins of the Cloth Hall at Ypres and the University Library in Louvain were the principal evidence used to support the charge that Germans were targeting the cultural landmarks of European civilization as part of their aggression. By the end of the War there wwre few buildings still sanding in Reims. It was one of the most heavily damaged citis of the War. Despite the shelling and devestation, civilians remaind in the city. More than 5,000 people were killed.

Inter-War Era

The French rebuilt Reims after the War. The cathedral was restored under the direction of Henri Deneux, a native of Reims and a famous Chief architect of historic monuments. The Cathedral was carefullyy restored thanks in large measure to the generosity of John D. Rockefeller. New buildings had an Art Deco touch. The restoration was completed just in time for World War II when German troops entered Reims once again, this time for a longer stay.

World War II

Reims escaped major damage in World War II, although France was defeated and occupied by the Germas (June 1944). The parially restored Cathedral was untouched. Perhaps fittiningly, Reims would be General Eisenhower's headquarters after the liberation of France (August 1944) and the place where the NAZIs finally surrendered to the victorious Western Allies (May 1945). General Alfred Jodl, commander-in-chief of the Wehrmacht signed the surrender. The text had been drawn up in haste by General Eisenhower’ staff. As President Roosevelt and Primeeminister Churchill had insisted, the German surrender was unconditional.

The Restored Cathedral

A French reader tells us, "Today the 800 year old cathedral has regained its former glory. This restoration work began immediately after the War (1919). Several facades wee finally restored (1995-2010) were restored several facades. It is a complicated and important work carried out by specialized craftsmen and companies. They have workers and master artists. The cost of this work is very high and is supported by the Ministry of Culture, but also by contributions from many large corporations. (The Americans also contributed by their generosity to renovate several castles in France. It must be say some pages of American history came from France.) Almost all monuments of France and their contents are classified as official heritage. Their owners can not undertake any work without approval of Governmentagencies. The authorities monitoring the wirk under the" Architects Conservatory Monuments of France". They have an obligation to restore any damage so that it isas close to the original as possible."

Created: 5:18 AM 11/9/2012
Last updated: 12:39 AM 11/10/2012