I need some specific information about the Franco-Prussian war

[Kyriakos]

I read the wikipedia article, but it was rather brief. I am interested in learning the nature of the resulting occupation by german forces of Rouen, whether they were numerous, engaged in atrocities, had a parade.

I plan to write a short story (been meaning to for a while, and tried it once) set in Rouen during that period. I have read a number of french stories about the war, and find them very atmospheric, with the hatred between the two people in that era. Such strong sentiments can create a stable basis for tragedy, and that is what i am after.

So, anyone know of material of this available on the internet? I do not want to end up buying a book, since it will probably be in english and will have little information about what i specifically need.

Also the story does not have to be set in Rouen, if nothing important happened there. I am open to suggestions

 

[BuckyRea]

...I have read a number of french stories about the war...

So, anyone know of material of this available on the internet? I do not want to resort to buying a book, since it will probably be in english and will have little informationa bout what i specifically need.

Is there a French language Google? I'm just spitballin' here; but try something like L'Googille.l'com.fr. Also, if you're reluctant to buy a book for just one story, perhaps a library would be a good place (particularly a university library). It looks like you're looking for serious information at no cost. If so, the internet probably shouldn't be your go-to.

 

[Kyriakos]

Yes, a university library is a good idea. It is just that i need very specific info, and the internet is good for that.

 

[Dachs]

Hmm. Rouen specifically, I don't know so well.

Do you have access to online journals and databases? I know of several published papers and some dissertations (a professor of mine wrote his MA thesis on the Bavarian army's experiences with civilians in the war, actually, which could be extremely useful to you) that might point you in the right direction.

If you have that kind of access, lemme know and I can hunt down the citations for you.

 

[Kyriakos]

Thank you

I doubt i have access to them, if they are paid content of any sort. But the story does not have to be set in Rouen; anywhere apart from Paris would do, and a medium-sized city is best.

I thought of Rouen as a sort of tribute to Flaubert, who did have a bad run of a different kind with a German intellectual who lived in France before (i think) the war.
Also De Maupassant, who wrote a large number of Franco-Prussian war stories, was from Normandy.

 

[Eniotna]

I take it you read Boule de Suif?

 

[Kyriakos]

In fact no, but i have read at least six other stories by him which feature the war.

 

[Dachs]

Thank you

I doubt i have access to them, if they are paid content of any sort.

Hm. That's unfortunate, because they are paid content (usually schools and universities pay for subscriptions that are made available to their students).

 

[Kyriakos]

Yes, it is sad indeed It did sound like it was exactly what i was looking for

 

[Kyriakos]

I guess i will have to rely mostly on my imagination, since i did not find much about the subject of prussian soldier's treatment of the french population.
From the fiction on the subject, from the french point of view, it seems it was quite hostile.
There was this particular characterisation of a prussian parade by De Maupassant which strikes me as very interesting and downgranding: "puppets on wire"