The First to Die - Bishop Ireton High Schoollegacy.bishopireton.org/FACULTY/RAUERM/World War I... · shots with his pistol at Corporal Peugeot ... hit in shoulder and dies ... R FRANCAIS

The First to Die

2 August

1914

“Three Corners” Border 1871 - 1918

German – French Border

As Tensions Rise from 28 June

citizens begin to erect barricades

all along the borders.

By 28 July Border Crossings are

nearly ended

30 July 1914, French General

Joffre directs that French

troops be withdrawn ten miles

from the border areas. “Let

the responsibility for the war

rest with the Germans”.

Near the southern border with

Switzerland, a German patrol of 25

soldiers come in contact three French

customs officials.

The French officials flee.

Ten kilometers into France another

German cavalry patrol encounters a

French army post of five men

5

Lt. Mayer fires three

shots with his pistol at

Corporal Peugeot ... hit

in shoulder and dies

three hours later

Corporal Peugeot and

the French soldiers fire

at Mayer killing him

instantly

Lt. Mayer is buried today in the

German War Cemetery near

the place of his death.

20 years old

Memorial to French Corporal Peugeot

21 years old

Music teacher

Buried Etupes, France

9

Each of these two men are the first documented

deaths for their respective nations in World War I.

Of note is the fact that they died two days

(30 hours) before the actual start of hostilities

between France and Germany!

Germany invaded France in the Franco –

Prussian War on 4 August 1870.

Germany invaded Belgium to officially start WWI

on the 4th of August 1914!