Posters Artwork Documents

"Our Dear Marshal"

Propaganda postcard supporting the "National Revolution" of the (deeply reactionary, anti-republican, anti-democratic) "French State", carrying the image of the "Chef d'Etat", Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain, 1940-1944. Pétain's military préstige, which made him a darling of the reactionary/monarchist Right in France, and ultimately placed him at the head of the coup d'etat that destroyed the Third Republic and replaced with the "monarchy without a king" that replaced it, was of course based on his distinguished WW1 career. A major milestone in this was his command of the (skilful, effective and bloody) defence of the Fortress at Verdun between February and May, 1916. The Battle of Verdun began with a 10-hour German artillery bombardment on 21 February, 1916 - 96 years ago on this day. JR.