Rémy Cazals, An Archaeological Search: Digging into Eyewitness Accounts of World War 1
Labour and Society Research Group seminar
Location: Research Beehive 2.22, Old Library Building, Newcastle University
Time/Date: 7th March 2012, 17:00 - 19:00
(in English) Open to all
This second lecture will use the example of the well-received journal of the barrel-maker Louis Barthas first edited by Professor Cazals (
Les Carnets de guerre de Louis Barthas, tonnelier, 1914-1918, Maspero, 1978; re-edited Éditions La Découverte, 1997 and 2003) and show how reading it alongside dozens of other lesser known accounts written by ordinary soldiers can offer new insights into what is conveyed of the experiences.
There is a strong interest in the 14-18 war but while edited versions do not tell the whole story, a raw eye-witness account is something to be explored carefully and presented systematically if it is to be meaningfully interpreted. The historical context, the circumstances of how it was written and by whom, must all be examined. Remy Cazals will explore how one personal story, can offer new insights if it is cross referenced with other personal stories as primary sources in addition to being set in its historical context.
He writes: Un témoignage est un objet à découvrir. La prise en compte du contexte est indispensable. Il faut connaître l’auteur et les conditions de rédaction. Situé dans son contexte, il apporte des informations, surtout si l’on effectue confrontations et croisements. Si, à celui du tonnelier Barthas, on ajoute des dizaines de témoignages d’origine populaire, tout un paysage se dessine. Il existe dans le public « une demande de 14-18 ». Les archéologues exposent les objets dans un musée ; un manuscrit pourra être édité. Mais on ne peut pas tout exposer/éditer. Un témoignage honnête, qui décrit sans talent la vie loin des combats, n’atteindra pas le public qui aura donc une vision biaisée de la guerre.
Rémy Cazals is Professor at Université de Toulouse II Le Mirail. He is one of France’s pre-eminent historians of the First World War and is associated with the study of the notebooks of Louis Barthas an infantryman from a peasant background. He is also a labour historian and an expert in the regional history of South West France. Amongst his numerous publications include Avec les ouvriers de Mazamet (dans la grève et l’action quotidienne, 1909-1914 (1978) and Lettres de réfugiées. Le réseau de Borieblanque. Des étrangères dans la France de Vichy (2004).
Published: 20th January 2012