The mutations of King Vittorio Emanuele III

And for this Tuesday, even if we are a little bit “off-topic”, here’s a cute Italian “carte à système“. Sorry for writing into French, but I don’t how such items are called. this card represents Italian King Vittorio Emanuele III (1869-1947), who was the Italian King during both World Wars.

A wheel behind the card allows the spectator to change the headgear of the King, which changes according to the years and his political changes. The first one is dated 1911 and is a Pickelhaube, a testimony of the Triple Alliance period (even if the treaty was signed in 1882, before he was King).

I1915 is the year of the entrance into war, the King changes his hat for an Army cap.

1922: it’s the start of the fascist era and the King chooses a fez…

1936: a crown for the Italian Empire, which includes now Ethiopia!

1937: Italy sends “volunteers” in Spain to help General Francisco Franco.

And in 1940 Italy attacks France, on Germany’s side…

But very soon the King feels it’s better to be pro-british…

Before ending his life as a civilian…

The Bois des Caures

This memorial, built in 1922, pays homage to lieutenant-colonel Driant and his men of the 56th and 59th bataillons de chasseurs, who were among the first victims of the Battle of Verdun (22 February 1916).

Lieutenant-colonel Émile Augustin Cyprien Driant wad was a French nationalist writer, politician (he was Deputy of Nancy), and army officer. He was the first high ranking casualty of the Battle of Verdun.

His body was buried by German troops with full military honours. He was re-interred by the French where he fell in the Bois des Caures, where a memorial now stands to him and his men. On this monument, this statement: “Ils sont tombés, silencieux sous le choc, comme une muraille” (They fell, in silence under the shock, like a wall”).