Great War 100 Reads

Commemorating the centenary of the First World War in books


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Monday Monuments and Memorials – Memorial to Greek Soldiers, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

This March features the WW1 monuments on L’avenue des Combattants Étrangers Morts pour la France (Avenue of Foreign Soldiers who died for France) in Père-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.

Between 4000 and 5000 Greeks served in the French army in WW1. The monument to Greek soldiers who died for France in three wars was unveiled on 25 October 1953. A copy of the Winged Victory of Samothrace tops a marble Ionic column. A tablet in front of the column reads: Continue reading


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Monday Monuments and Memorials – Memorial to Garibaldians of the Argonne and Italian Volunteers, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

This March features the WW1 monuments on L’avenue des Combattants Étrangers Morts pour la France (Avenue of Foreign Soldiers who died for France) in Père-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.

In November 1914, a regiment of the French Foreign Legion was formed under Giuseppe (Peppino) Garibaldi, comprised mostly of leftist Italian volunteers who were living in France. The regiment fought in battles in the Argonne before being dissolved in March 1915. When neutral Italy joined the Allies in May 1915, the Garbaldi Legionnaires enlisted with the Italian army. Continue reading


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Monday Monuments and Memorials – Memorial to Czechoslovakian Soldiers, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

This March features the WW1 monuments on L’avenue des Combattants Étrangers Morts pour la France (Avenue of Foreign Soldiers who died for France) in Père-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.

The monument to Czechoslovakian soldiers was dedicated on 19 December 1934. It was designed by architect Josef Gocár, with a bronze sculpture by Karel Dvorak. Continue reading


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Monday Monuments and Memorials – Memorial to Belgian Soldiers, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

This March features the WW1 monuments on L’avenue des Combattants Étrangers Morts pour la France (Avenue of Foreign Soldiers who died for France) in Père-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.

The Ossuaire et monument aux soldats belges morts en France, 1914 – 1918 (Ossuary and monument to Belgian soldiers killed in France) was designed by architect Henry Lacoste, with a bronze bas-relief door by sculptor Charles Piot. The names of 103 soldiers are engraved on the rounded pillars. Continue reading


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Monday Monuments and Memorials – Memorial to Armenian Soldiers, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

This March features the WW1 monuments on L’avenue des Combattants Étrangers Morts pour la France (Avenue of Foreign Soldiers who died for France) in Père-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.

The monument in memory of Armenians who died fighting in the French army in WW1 and WW2 is an octagonal shape reminiscent of the bell towers on Armenian chapels. It was unveiled on 15 April 1978. The monument was created by Edouard Utudjian, H. Koutan, Jean-François Djermagian and sculptor, Bernard André. Continue reading