WAR IS DECLARED!
Germany declared war on Russia —a French ally— on August 1, 1914. French authorities immediately called for general mobilization to face the Germans, the first instance of such a massive call to arms. Obligatory military service was initially extended from two to three years in 1913, with an active army of 880,000 men. Reservists —24 to 34 years old— and territorial soldiers —35 to 41— represented a further 3 million troops. Vehicles and horses were also requisitioned. The oldest men drafted —42 to 48— constituted the so-called territorial reserve, which was put in charge of railway and coastal surveillance. In Paris they were assigned early in the war to defend the trench encampments surrounding the city. Although the French saw the war as justified, there was still a sense of surprise. Traditional images of enthusiastic departures for the front expressed hopes for an early end to the conflict as promised by the general staff. With time and stagnation, people became increasingly bitter towards those who avoided military service —the so-called “embusqués” (shirkers).
