3-039-081 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Germans in Paris: Bavarian Lancers encamped in the Champs Elysées, 1871. Franco-Prussian War. 'The Bavarians were quartered here in the Palais de l'Industrie, and the Prussians in the Cirque Imperiale. The spacious road was filled with commissariat waggons laden with provisions for the army of occupation, and with provender for its cavalry. German troopers had picketed their horses in long lines between the trees; battalions of infantry had taken off their knapsacks, piled arms, exchanged their pointed helmets for caps, and were cooking their dinners amongst the withered remains of exotic shrubs. Here one stumbled up against a battery of frowning artillery, there against an officer going his rounds. Strange vehicles, with wretched horses and harness, were conveying hither and thither strange-looking men with fair beards and porcelain pipes. Now and then one came across a group of officers sitting basking in the sun. At many of the doors of the houses were small, anxious crowds, and up the side streets might be seen soldiers on foot and on horseback looking for their lodgings with the deliberation peculiar to the German. Others were preparing, when night came, to bivouac in the open air'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.