Manuscript ownership inscription of a soldier: “Louis Ferrand. Caporal. Bureau du colonel, 90e R.I.”
Genevoix’s second war narrative was published in the spring of 1917, a year after Sous Verdun: like its predecessor, no day is omitted, and the narrative covers the period from 5 to 19 October 1914, a span of fifteen days.
An interesting copy owned by a corporal of the 90th Infantry Regiment, commanded in August 1914 by Colonel Simon. By May 1917, Corporal Ferrand’s regiment had been stationed since 1916 in defense of the famous Côte 304, until then the highest point held by the French on the Verdun front. It fell into German hands in March 1916, despite 70% losses, and was the scene of violent fighting throughout. It was not retaken by the French until 20 August 1917. In this fighting, the 90th Infantry Regiment lost 33 officers and was reduced to a strength of only 600 men.
The print run was composed of six batches of 500 copies each, the first without any printing statement. This copy bears a fifth-thousand statement, on the front wrapper only.