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Germans demand surrender of Reims, 1914
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Germans demand surrender of Reims, 1914
How the surrender of Reims was demanded. Immediately before the bombardment of Reims, German parlementaires came into the town under a flag of truce to demand its immediate surrender and the payment of a war indemnity. They were blindfolded and travelled in two motor cars accompanied by French officers. Date: 1914
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Media ID 14229266
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Blindfolded Civilians Demand Demanded Germans Reims Rheims Surrender Truce Envoys Officers
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In this historic photograph, German parlementaires, or diplomatic envoys, are seen making their way into the besieged town of Reims, France, in September 1914, during the early stages of World War I. The Germans had laid siege to the city, and with the French forces in retreat, the German High Command saw an opportunity to demand the surrender of Reims and extract a significant war indemnity. Before the bombardment of the city began, two motor cars, each carrying German parlementaires and accompanied by French officers, entered Reims under a flag of truce. The Germans were blindfolded to ensure their safety and prevent any potential acts of espionage or sabotage. The scene is a testament to the tense and uncertain nature of the early days of the war, as both sides sought to gain an advantage through diplomacy and military force. The surrender of Reims ultimately proved to be a significant turning point in the war, as it marked the first major French defeat and the loss of a key strategic position. The city, which was home to the French king and the coronation site of French monarchs, was also of great cultural and historical significance. The German demand for surrender and indemnity was a clear indication of their intentions to assert their military dominance and extract concessions from the French. This photograph captures a moment of high drama and historical importance, as the fate of Reims and the wider war hung in the balance. The image of the blindfolded German parlementaires, accompanied by French officers, makes for a striking visual representation of the complex and often fraught diplomatic exchanges that took place during the First World War.
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