On November 11, 1918, World War I ended after more than four years of unprecedented fighting. The town of Franconville, like many French communes, suffered greatly during the Great War. Thanks to the work of the association En Passant par Franconville – Histoire et Patrimoine, a look back at this conflict, which caused the deaths of 122 Franconvillois, is offered.
Even before the war began, underlying tensions had long existed between several European states. Between 1905 and 1914, the continent's major powers militarized and formed military alliance systems. Franconville was part of the 64 communes in the 'Fortified Camp of Paris' zone, a vast defense system developed in Île-de-France to protect the capital. The assassination of Archduke François-Ferdinand and his wife by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo on July 28, 1914, was the spark that ignited the conflict.
Immediately, access routes in strategic areas became forbidden to traffic. This was notably the case for the road connecting Franconville and Montigny. On August 2, 1914, general mobilization was decreed. The next day, the men of Franconville left for combat. On September 2, 1914, the government left Paris for Bordeaux, followed by the Mayor of Franconville, Georges Lerudu, who was also a deputy for Seine-et-Oise.
The conflict led to the abandonment of many municipal projects, such as the installation of lighting fixtures and public fountains, and the cancellation of all public festivals. On September 14, 1915, the construction site for the new Ferdinand Buisson boys' school was officially halted. However, instruction continued, with a female teacher, Mme Machu, teaching the boys for the first time to replace the male teacher.
In 1914, Franconville had a population of 2,718 inhabitants, plus 194 refugees, mainly Belgians and French from other regions. During the conflict, women became heads of households and participated in the war effort as farmers, workers, or homemakers. Several became nurses or 'war godmothers,' corresponding with soldiers to maintain their morale and sending parcels to improve their daily lives.
Germany signed the armistice at 5:15 AM on November 11, 1918, and fighting ceased at 11 AM. After 4 years of unprecedented conflict, the Great War ended. The country mourned 1.4 million soldiers who died for France. The peace treaties, including the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, imposed sole responsibility for the war on Germany, causing strong resentment and paving the way for World War II.
At the end of the conflict, a War Memorial was erected in homage to the 122 Franconvillois who died. Funded by popular subscription and proceeds from various events, including a large fair on July 4, 1920, the monument was inaugurated on October 15, 1921. The ceremony was attended by the deputy-mayor Georges Leredu, senators Berthoulat and Hugues Le Roux, deputy Bonnefous, General Fabra, departmental commander, departmental councilor Dubois, and several mayors from neighboring communes. The Franconville Harmony band, the Saint-Leu Awakening, veteran sections, and firefighters were also present, along with an escort from the 22nd Dragoon Regiment.
