WOMEN IN THE SERVICE OF FRANCE Volume 1: THE FRENCH RED CROSS 1914–1940

OUT OF PRINT — LAST COPY — USED, GOOD CONDITION

Volume 1 of the book "Women in the Service of France - 1919-1940" explores the general role of women in national defence, and in particular the societies affiliated with the French Red Cross: Société de secours aux blessés militaires, Association des dames françaises, Union des femmes de France, Service automobile de l'union des femmes de France, infirmières Z, air nurses and air first-aiders, automobile sanitary sections. . .

It covers the organization and feminization of these societies, their evolution since the Great War, their training, their role in Metropolitan France, in the colonies and abroad (Finland), their many creations: Parisian canteens, Soldiers' clubs, workrooms, reception centers, first-aid posts, hospital trains and railway regulating stations, hospital ships and wartime welfare works. . . their history and their activities during the Battle of France and, not least, their specific uniforms, insignia and decorations.

To participate in every task of national territorial defence without renouncing their femininity — that was the challenge taken up by hundreds of thousands of women from the interwar years through to June 1940. Around figures now largely forgotten, such as Marie Léonie Génin, Edmée Nicolle, Adrienne de Carbuccia, Madame de Junca..., they organized themselves into units whose professionalism was in no way inferior to that of the military or state administrations. Through the support they provided, these nurses, air nurses, drivers, social workers, auxiliaries, administrators... enabled thousands of civilians and servicemen, during the 1939–1940 campaign, to be evacuated, treated and comforted. This volume illustrates their work through the organizations (SSBM, ADF, UFF, IPSA, SSA, SAUFF, etc.) that would be brought together after August 1940 under the single banner of the French Red Cross.

• Yellowed page edges
• Slightly damaged corners