When the Franco-American troops entered Château-Thierry, the town had
been methodically =sacked=. The enemy emptied the houses of everything
portable, including mattresses, metallic articles, etc. The churches
were likewise despoiled. In the case of St. Crépin’s Church the Germans
had not time to carry off the whole of the plunder. The photograph, p.
43, shows what was hurriedly left behind, part being packed in cases,
the rest, including a fireman’s brass helmet stolen from the
fire-station, lying scattered about.
[Illustration: THE FRENCH PRIME MINISTER, M. CLEMENCEAU, CONGRATULATING
THE AMERICAN TROOPS ON THE BATTLEFIELD AT CHÂTEAU-THIERRY.
(_From “l’Illustration._”)]
[Illustration: BOOTY COLLECTED BY THE GERMANS IN THE CHURCH OF ST.
CRÉPIN.]
That portion of the population which had remained in the town was locked
up in this church on the night before the deliverance.
The houses had literally been turned upside down, as the Americans, who
entered the town with the French, can testify. Packing-cases full of
clothing, linen, and all kinds of objects had been got ready to send to
Germany, as the labels nailed on the cases prove. (_See official
photos._)
What the Germans could not carry away they broke, mutilated, or spoilt.
Here was another example of their practice of spreading systematic ruin
and desolation wherever they went.
To use the ex-Kaiser’s own expression, the entire region was left “a
barren waste.” Special detachments of troops had orders to collect and
remove all machinery, tools, raw materials, furniture, food, etc., in
the districts occupied.
[Illustration: AFTER A VISIT FROM THE GERMANS! ROOM IN HOUSE AT NO. 26
RUE ST. MARTIN.]
[Illustration: CHÂTEAU_THIERRY]