The Forgotten Soldier in a Famous WWI Photo

Описание: One of the most famous photographs of the First World War shows five facially mutilated soldiers at the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. For over a century, the image has been reproduced without ever asking who these men were, especially on the far right.

This video tells the story of the man.

His name was Eugène Joseph Hébert a soldier of the 315e Regiment, seriously wounded in the opening assault of the Second Battle of Champagne on 25th September 1915.

Struck in the face by shrapnel, Hébert survived injuries that disfigured him for life. In June 1919, he was deliberately placed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles as one of the five “gueules cassées”, positioned to face the German delegation as the peace treaty was signed.

This is his story.

Cette photographie célèbre de la signature du traité de Versailles montre cinq « gueules cassées ».
Pendant plus d’un siècle, l’un d’eux est resté sans nom.

Il s’appelait Eugène Joseph Hébert, soldat du 315e RI, grièvement blessé au visage le 25 septembre 1915 lors de l’offensive de Champagne.

Cette vidéo redonne un nom et une histoire à un homme que l’Histoire avait transformé en symbol