3-039-083 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The first departure of Germans from Paris, 1871. Franco-Prussian War. 'On the Friday morning, to the great relief of all concerned, the German troops left Paris...They were loudly cheered by their comrades quartered in the buildings at the side of the main avenue, where their road was lighted with torches and candles, held in elegantly- shaped candelabra by the other Germans...The head of the column of Bavarian infantry commenced their march at the Rue de Morny, with band playing and colours flying, in column of subdivisions...The regiments were all preceded by full bands, the battalions following by drums and fifes. In a few minutes the head of the column of Prussian infantry arrived, marching in column of sections...The last of the army of occupation had reached and passed the Arc de Triomphe before ten o'clock, and in another half hour they were all outside the circuit of the fortifications of Paris'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.