February
Melzicourt
Days at Rest: 17
Days in Trenches: 11
Dentist: 1
Total Casualties (KIA): 4
1st February
“Confirmation Jules has arrived back at Sainte Menhould at midnight. He has lunch with the Chef, which we assume is either Verret or Aubry, as he waits for the 16e compagnie to come back from its frontline tour, they are due back on the 2nd February”
Letter – back from Leave
Below is Col Devaux command post in Bois d’Hauzy
Photos above our of the Chef de Corps Colonel Devaux PC, called PC 43 located in the Bois d’Hauzy. The map shows the location of the Col PC. The location is very interesting and quite unique, in that his PC is a signalling house next to the railway. Whilst being a unique location for a PC, it did mean that the Col had a unique way of traveling to Division HQ. Below are some photos of the “petrolette” car that would drive the Colonel to and from his PC at night during the 315e time at Melizcourt.
Above is a photo that is from around this period in the Melzicourt sector, which were taken by Daniel Durand (fellow 315e 4 bat soldier). What is interest is that Jules has a photo taken from the same location (see below). To find out more there is an analysis here.
2nd February
Ce matin j’ai remis tout mon fourbi en ordre, j’ai cousu et brossé cela m’a occupé un peu, mais nous n’allons pas avoir chaud dans notre grange
letter 2nd february
315e RI is relieved by the 102e RI without incident and is back in a rest period until 10th. The 4e and 5e Bat go back again to Neuville, where they are billeted in houses.
« 02, relève par le 102e dans le courant de la journée. Installation sur LA NEUVILLE AU PONT (EM, Cies de mitrailleuses, CHR, 4e et 5e bataillon), LA CHARMERESSE (6e bat.) ».
Casualties: 2 Killed (Baptiste Choplin and Hippolyte Marchand) – 3 wounded – all in the area of PP1 in Melzicourt
4th February
J’ai été vacciné
4e Bat get their 2nd round of vaccines (assumption typhoid). In addition Jules has started to have problems with his teeth and they are keeping him awake at night.
5th February
Postcard from Jules on a Sunday, to say tomorrow they will be having a concert, which will provide a distraction for an hour. The issue with his teeth is getting worse as he has not been able to sleep for a couple of days now and he is going to see the doctor (we assume Bernard who was the battalion doctor). Today Jules has completed his first “Signaleur” course, which means he now has basic Morse code knowledge.
je suis quitte d’aller à l’exercice c’est toujours amusant
From the postcard we suspect his interest in “morse code” was not the main driver, but extra francs in his pay cheque and the fact he could skip exercise to do the courses!
7th February
“Je vous avais parlé d’une photo je crois, mais elle n’était pas réussie, alors nous avons recommencé hier, une avec tous les sous-officiers et l’autre avec ma section mais je ne sais encore le résultat, espérons qu’il sera bon”
“Below is photo which had no date, which I now believe is linked to the letter of the 7th February, as it mentions that two group photos of the compagnie have been taken recently”
Letter – 16e compagnie photos
Analysis of Photo click here
9th February
J’ai été passé deux heures au concert c’était bien réussi et nous avions la musique du 102eme reg, cela fait oublier pour un instant la triste situation où nous sommes
Letter- Last rest day
Jules letters from the 9th February tell us that concert by the 102e yesterday was very good. Such a distraction is needed at the moment as winter has set in with rain and snow and tomorrow they are back into the trenches in Melizcourt. The below programme was kept by Jules post war, but the date is unknown
10th February
16eme compagnie is back into the Frontlines relieving the 102e until 18th February at Melzicourt
« 10, le 315 relève le 102e dans le courant de la journée. Les 2 cies de mitrailleuses prennent les tranchées en formations accolées. 4e bat. subdivision MELZICOURT, 5e bat. subdivision 42 et 6e bat. cases canadiennes. »
11th February
7e DI JMO day review: quiet day with a couple of rifle volleys exchanged and a flight of enemy planes overhead. The 7e DI artillery had an active day shelling the German lines
J’ai été reçu à coups de fusils par les Boches et obligé de rester au moins ½ heure à plat ventre dans la neige
“The 4e Bat is back on frontline duty in the melizicourt sector since the night before. Jules went out on a night patrol last night and was greeted by the Germans, who “had fun” taking aim at Jules and he had to spend half an hour still in the snow and mud, until he could slowly crawl back to his line at around midnight. The winter is now showing its teeth and snow has now covered the battlefield, but the main issue is the cold, that is hurting their feet when they are 6/7h without moving with their feet in cold icy water”
Letter – Day 2 back in the trenches near Melizcourt – a hard night
12th February
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet for the most part. The 8e DI to the right is attacking the German lines today, therefore an active day for the artillery focusing on the tranches in front of Pruneau. Germany heavy artillery focused around Melzicourt sector in the afternoon
C’était infernal et voici que ça recommence, nous avons la tête cassée et cela vous donne sur les nerfs
Letter – 12th February
“Still no news on the photo from the 7th February and will only find out when out the trenches at their rest billet. The weather is still as bad, but now they have to battle with torrential rain, but Jules “caoutchouc” (waterproof) has managed to keep him somewhat dry during his sentry duty. Rain is also not the only element raining down on them, since yesterday the artillery from both side has not stopped and the ground is trembling with the ferocity. He signs off as the artillery start up again, with words all soldiers from the period would understand C’était infernal et voici que ça recommence
Letter – Day 3 back in trenches – night duty
13th February – Postcard
14th February
7e DI JMO day review: Calm day – only activity from the Germans was around 50 shells on the Bois d’Hauzy which cut the railway line near the col PC. The river Tourbe flooding is getting worse. Addition work done to improve shelters around “2 poiriers” trenches and
“Weather is still terrible and to make matters worse; an everyday issue such as toothache means he has been struggling to sleep, the only course of action is to get them taken out during the next rest period. Again on night work duty, but the good news is they will be out of the frontline trenches tonight and into the reserve trenches for 4 days.
There is a disappointing rumour that their rest period is being changed from the comfortable Neuville village, and they will now be at Charmeresse, which is in the Bois d’Hauzy in temporary Adrian huts.”
Letter – Day 4 in trenches: Night duty and teeth issues
Casualties: 1 executed (soldat Albaud)
This KIA was a mystery at first, due to the death being at Chaudefoutaine, but a letter from the 25th February (see below) helped to reveal that his was not a death on the frontline, but something more complex and the cause of death is make unclear by conflicting documents. To find out more on Eugene Joseph Albaud and his colourful history
15th February
7e DI JMO day review: Calm day. Flooding continuing. Patrols into no mans land from the 14e Hussards, found two bodies of French 293e soldiers. Gas alert in the eastern sector around 21h00
Dans nos abris, nous sommes envahis par l’eau et avec cela les rats pullulent, cette nuit quand j’étais de garde ils ont percé mon sac et tout mangé ce qu’il y avait dedans, chemises, caleçons, chaussettes tout est haché, un de ces jours ils vont nous bouffer tout vivant
15th february letter
The rain and mud are getting worse and worse day by day, but they are however “bearable” as Jules puts it, compared one other feature of this battlefield.
Today letter from February highlights the biggest worry of the regiments at the time, and it was not the Germans. During an evening watch on the 15th February, after another day of continuous rain, their shelters were flooded and the water pumps were broken, which meant the realm of the “castor” had disappeared. The castor or the rat realm was mainly on the ground and a daily pest to the soldiers, but in Melzicourt the ground was no longer their realm and during the night these rodents took shelter in whatever was available, which so happened to be Jules bed and kit bag, which the rats saw and conquered, by eating everything in it including; shirts, pants, socks. In despair Jules comments « un de ces jours ils vont nous bouffer tout vivant » one day these rats will eat us all alive……
“Day 5 in the trenches and he believed they were due to be relieved last night from the frontline, but it will tonight and therefore only 3 more miserable days left. Last night he was again on night patrol from 11h to 7h in the morning, whilst the rain continued and now the wind is ripping down trees, which is a concern as his shelter is in the woods! The teeth are still playing up and tried to eat some food to help with the pain, and he can’t wait to get treatment at next rest period. The continuous bad weather has floored the shelters and they need pumps to get the water out, but also the water means that the rats are no longer just on the floor and during the night whilst Jules was on duty the rats went into his bag and ate everything in it including; shirts, pants, socks. In despair he comments « un de ces jours ils vont nous bouffer tout vivant » one day the rats will eat them all alive. The one positive is that the Germans are quiet at the moment, but more by the luck of the weather than by desire as they are separated by a 1500m lake rather than solid ground!”
Letter – Day 5 in trenches: Weather and RATS again
16th February
7e DI JMO day review: Calm day with no enemy infantry activity and a couple of shells in the morning . Noted in the JMO that the majority of shelters are flooded after persistent rain
il fait toujours un temps affreux, le vent, la pluie font rage
letter 16th february
The weather is terrible and so is Jules mood, after having to walk 12kms in the wind and rain to Neuville, to see the dentist to have his wisdom teeth taken out. His mood is even darker knowing he has the joy of another 2 days in the reserve trenches and a rest period at Charmeresse, which is going to be as rustic as being in the trenches.
17th February
7e DI JMO day review: Calm day with only a couple of shells, but the western part of the 7e DI sector where the 315e is located is said to have up to 1m of water on average in the trenches, with trenches collapsing in places.
Rien de nouveau, il tombe toujours de l’eau, nous sommes comme les canards nous nageons tout le temps dans notre abri
17th february card swimming like ducks ……
18th February
7e DI JMO day review: Calm day with some light bombardments in the afternoon and evening in Melizcourt area, flooding is getting worse in the trenches
Relieved again by the 102e without incident, rest period for 4e at Charmeresse and 5e and 6e bat at Neuville. 4e bat move to Charmeresse will be their first rest period there rather than Neuville
« relève par le 102e. Les bataillons vont cantonner à LA NEUVILLE (EM, CM1, CM2, 5e et 6 bat.) et CHARMERESSE (4e bat.)”
“The new rest location of Charmeresse is a lot more rustic than Neuville. The accommodation are wooden huts and with the rain, water leaks everywhere. All sous-officier are together in a hut with a table, so they can write or play card games, that is all the luxury they get, as they are sleeping on the floor with straw for a mattress, but this is still far better than what the men have as accommodation……..”
Letter – Rest period and description of Charmeresse accommodation
Photos of the Charmeresse rest area (source Daniel Durand) 
20th Feruary
“Another quiet day during rest period, the weather is beautiful and sunny for a change. Jules has found new hobby, which is ring making and yesterday he finished his first ring for a Mme Yvernelle”
Letter – Rest period: new hobby
Below is an example of a ring Jules made whilst in the trenches. As we will see through the letters Jules makes multiple rings during his time at the front, join many other soldiers who took part in making trench art.
21st February
7e DI JMO day review: Calm day. Report of around 9 enemy aircraft around 10h00 in the sector and a further 20 around 14h00. At 20h15 2 zeppelin airships were spotted over the PC 171 moving south. 1 of them was hit by a projectile and caught fire at around 20h30 and went up in flames. The second one was hit and was seen later around 21h00 with its engines stopped.
Nous venons de recevoir des sergents comme renfort, maintenant nous sommes 12, tant mieux le service sera moins dur, car des galons je ne cherche pas après
Letter 21st February
“Letter from the evening of the 21st February. Another beautiful day at rest, but at least with some variety. This morning he took a detachment of men we assume to a neighbouring sector (no reason given). In the evening he continued with his “signaleurs” course, which he prefers to do than having to do normal exercise!
Maybe related to his movement in the morning, but there are some new “sergents” that have arrived, which means they are up to 12 “sergant” in the 16e Compagnie. Jules is happy with this, as it means less work for him, as he prefers a quieter life than going out trying to win medals. Half an hour before writing the letter there was a flight of 18 Germans planes that flow over, but whilst see writing his letter they are back, but this time being chased by French fighters”
Letter – Rest Period: 12 new recruits and German planes
22nd February
Hand delivered letter, therefore not censored. Therefore he revisits yesterday action with more information.
Il paraît même qu’aujourd’hui ils attaquent sur Verdun car depuis ce matin nous entendons un grondement formidable
letter 22nd February
“There were 35 planes and 2 were shot down near St Menehould. In the evening around 9h on the 21nd they were alerted to 3 zeppelins approaching, 2 flow overhead quietly, whilst spotlights followed them to help the artillery shot them down. The sight was spectacular at night and later around 11h they were informed that one of the zeppelins had been shot down, which they could see by the fireball, the other 2 slipped back to German lines
Today he has again been on his “signaler” course, but he is aware that the Germans have become very active and news has reached them of the Verdun offensive that has started. As since this morning from their sector (40km to the west of Verdun) they can hear the distant rumbling of the artillery bombardment. As this is an uncensored letter he provides his precise location in Charmeresse near La Neuville au Point. Also nice final detail to mention how and where they pick up the trench system in the sector at “Bois d’Hauzy”
Letter – Rest period: Verdun news reaches the 315e
24th February
Maintenant du beau temps mais ce qu’il fait froid et il gèle fort, la nuit on grelotte, tout cela ne vaut pas un bon lit
letter 24th february
“Today is their final day of rest before another tour into the frontlines, the location is confirmed as being the same one i.e Melzicourt, which Jules notes as being good, because the sector is quiet enough. The weather for this tour will be different he hopes and now their attention is not on rain, but the cold, as at night they are going to “grelotte”.
Continuation of his “signaleurs” course in the morning and evening, which he is finding mildly interesting. More and more German activity in the skies, but they don’t seem to bother them, but what is bothering him are his fingers, as they are so cold, he cuts the letter short due to the pain “J’ai beaucoup de peine a écrire tellement j’ai froid aux doigts, ici il n’y a pas de salamandre »
Letter – Rest Period: penultimate day of rest
25th February
à notre droite du côté de Verdun, ça cogne sans arrêt depuis plusieurs jours, mais dans le secteur où nous allons nous somme loin des boches et la rivière qui est débordée, nous sépare et il y a un rude lac
letter 25th february
“The cold from the previous days is persisting and they are not looking forward to cold nights in the trenches. On the positive side the his teeth have improved since having 4 removed and he can now eat properly.
Tomorrow they move back into the trenches for another rotation on the Melzicourt frontline. Everybody is hoping that it will be quiet, thanks to the river that has floored no mans land, as to their right they can hear the ominous rumbling from Verdun for the last couple of days.
Having sent his first ring to Mme Yvernlle (assume a neighbour or friend), he is now starting on Jeanne ring. Unfortunately there has been a recent change in postal rules, which means soldiers are no longer allowed to make and send objects back in the post. As Jules puts is “Pauvres soldats nous sommes menés d’une drôle de façon, je me demande en quoi cela gêne de faire et d’envoyer des bagues sans doute que les marchands de Paris n’en vendraient pas assez” the sceptic in him doubts the reasons for the new rules are anything other than to help Paris jewellers make more money!”
Letter – Rest Period Last Day: Back to Melzcourt frontline tomorrow – change to post rules
Analysis of Photo
At the end of the letter is a mention of sending a group photo
“Je vous envoie une photo, mais elle est bien noire, enfin ce sera un souvenir pour moi après la guerre, car c’est tous mes camarades sergents et adjudants et plus tard je serai bien content de ce souvenir”.
Letter – photo description
No date is mentioned in the letter into when this photo was taken, but it is mentioned that photo is of all his “sergents” and “adjudants” friends, but is quite dark. The only group photo in our possession that fits the “quite dark” and group comment is below, which is assumed to be from 1915. Therefore the photo described in the letter could be the below photo, for more information and analysis click here
Interest side story from Auguste Lecourt from the 104e RI as it gives us relevant information about the 14th February death of Eugene Albaud:
Tu vas dire que je n’ai pas beaucoup le caractère militaire mais c’est honteux de voir ce que l’on voit ici tous les jours : les camarades tombés sur la plaine, le ventre au soleil et c’est une infection que nous respirons.
Pour nous remonter le courage, ils ont fusillé deux types du 315e la “semaine dernière”. J’aurais bien d’autres choses à te dire mais je risque la prison. »
25th February
The above letter indicates that 2 soldiers from the 315e were shot by firing squad the previous weeks to “lift solders spirits” as Auguste sarcastically puts it!
I have not found any records of the 2nd soldier mentioned, but we do know as stated on the 14th February that one of these soldiers is Eugene Albaud.
26th February
7e DI JMO day review: French artillery concentrates their efforts near to the German line at Pruneau with over 200 shells, but with minimal success
“Le 26, le 315 relève le 102e dans le courant de la journée. 4e bat. (MELZICOURT), 6e bat. (42), 5e bat. (cases canadiennes)”
Back to another frontline tour, 4e Bat back to the Melzicourt sector again relieving the 102e without incident.
27th February
7e DI JMO day review: Calm day
Tout cela forme un verglas et sur nos caillebotis on ne peut marcher
“The cold weather is persisting and since the early morning it has been sleeting, which has started to freeze on the duckboards. The handover on the previous day went well and they were great with a small bombardment from the Germans, but everything quieten down at night.
Jules then talks about 60,000 Germans having died in 4 days, which is a reference to the Verdun offensive, which they can still hear groaning in the distance on a daily basis. He is now in the reserve trenches for 4 days, before going into the frontlines for another 4 days”.
Letter – Trenches Day 2: Verdun talk
Casualties: 1 (Georges Beaussier: soldat)
29th February
7e DI JMO day review: French rail gun in the sector has been firing during the day, which led to a heavy bombardment from German artillery during the night.
Cette nuit nous n’avons pu fermer l’œil, notre artillerie a donné toute la nuit sans arrêt, quel vacarme, tout tremble, les boches répondaient faiblement
letter 29th february
“Sleepless night in the reserve trenches as the French artillery bombarded the Germans all night. The noise was deafening and the ground was shaking with the intensity, but Jules expects during daytime for the Germans to send across some “pruneaux” slang for bullets or shrapnel.
4 days in the reserve trenches are nearly up and soon its up to the frontline, where sleep is going to be at a premium….. but at least its only 4 days “mais quatre jours c’est encore vite passé”
Letter – Trenches day 4: Night artillery barrages
Despite the heavy artillery no Casualties reported
Next month: March
