TimelineMapsSearch QuotationsSearch Images

Follow us through the World War I centennial and beyond at Follow wwitoday on Twitter

Paris, France

Map of Paris and environs with surrounding forts and fortifications.
From the series, Kennen Sie schon "Die grosse Zeit" (Do you know the high times already?)
Reverse: 
B. Z. Kriegskarte (B.Z. war map)
Verlag der B. Z. am Mittag, Berlin (Publisher of the B.Z. am Mittag, Berlin)

Map of Paris and environs with surrounding forts and fortifications.
From the series, Kennen Sie schon "Die grosse Zeit" (Do you know the high times already?)

Image text

Kennen Sie schon "Die grosse Zeit" (Do you know the high times already?)

Other views: Larger, Back

The encirclement of Paris, political, cultural, and financial capital of France, was an objective of Germany's Schlieffen Plan to defeat France. The city was shelled during Germany's 1914 invasion, and again in 1918, and it was bombed by Zeppelins and airplanes.

On Monday afternoon, August 31, 1914, with German forces threatening Paris, and the Allied retreat showing no end, the French Cabinet Council voted to move the Government to Bordeaux, a move of personnel, documents, gold, and other valuables that continued through September 3 when President Poincaré, the Ministry, and members of the Senate and Chamber of deputies followed.

The Government recalled General Joseph Gallieni from retirement to defend the fortified city. When the German First Army, rather than encircling Paris, turned eastward north of the city, Gallieni played key roles in the attack from Paris on the German right and the Allied victory at the Marne in September 1914.

Zeppelins bombed Paris: on March 21, 1915 killing 8; on January 29, 1916 killing 26. In 1918 Gotha bombers followed, with 13 dead on March 8.

The Sûreté Générale watched Indians in Paris working for independence.

In early 1917 coal and food shortages led to demonstrations and food lines. Rationing of meat and sugar began. In January 1918, bread was reduced to 10 ounces daily.

After Germany's 1918 Operation Michael advance of March 21, Paris was again struck by long-range guns with 91 killed at the Church of St. Gervais on the 29th. With Allied success in the Aisne-Marne Offensive and increasing command of the air, Paris was no longer directly threatened.

At the end of October, influenza killed 1,800 in one week, more than may have been killed by airships, planes, and superguns.

Paris, France is a city in France.

A sample pie chart graphic

Statistics for Paris (1)

Type Statistic
Population 2,888,110

Some books about Paris (2)

Title Author Last Name Author First Name
The Paris Front: an Unpublished Diary: 1914-1918 Corday Michel
Northern France and the Paris Region; The Green Guide Michelin Green