During a major economic crisis in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon at the beginning of the 20th century, the mobilization order of 1914 triggered an unexpected wave of patriotism. Nearly 600 men left the archipelago to join the battlefields of the Somme or the Chemin des Dames, paying a colossal tribute with more than a hundred missing.
The war was not just fought in Europe. This episode brings to light the reality of daily life in the islands. It notably reveals the crucial role played by local charitable associations that supported the war effort from the rear.
The story also explores the dark areas of the conflict, such as the scandal of spoiled cod sent to the troops or the tragic fate of a soldier from the archipelago shot as an example. Finally, the threat even reached our shores with the alarming presence of German submarines, the famous U-boats, prowling in our territorial waters.
A poignant story that delves into the profound social and human consequences of a conflict that has enduringly marked the population of the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, and more broadly, has reshaped the face of our society.
Listen to the full episode here: [Link to audio episode]
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