Remembering the fallen is a solemn duty and this Plaque commémorative du 363e RI stands as a testament to that. This war memorial marks a spot of significant historical importance. It serves as a poignant reminder of the 363e Régiment d’Infanterie’s departure in 1914. From this very place, they marched to confront the invader.
The 363e Régiment d’Infanterie was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Do-Huu-Chan. The plaque commemorates the regiment’s role during World War I. It is a simple yet powerful tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.
War memorials are common throughout France. Almost every city and village has one. They were mostly constructed after World War I. This was a time when the nation mourned the loss of over 1.5 million French soldiers. The war claimed over 9 million victims overall. In the 1920s, the French Third Republic mandated that each municipality erect a monument to honor the fallen.
These memorials vary widely in style. Some even express pacifist sentiments. However, this Plaque commémorative du 363e RI specifically honors the soldiers. It marks the place from where they departed to fight.
Nice also has a large and impressive war memorial. It was built between 1924 and 1928. It is located in the rock of the Old City hill. It faces the sea and the port. This massive structure stands 32 meters high. It features columns in a temple style. It commemorates the 4,000 people of Nice who perished during the war.
Later, the names of Nice residents who died in World War II were added. Names of those who died in the decolonization wars in Indochina and Algeria are also inscribed. Today, ceremonies take place every year. These ceremonies happen on the 11th of November and the 8th of May. The ceremonies honor the memory of those who sacrificed their lives.
The war memorial of Nice features an Art Deco design by Roger Séassal. He won the Grand Prix de Rome in 1913. Reliefs sculpted by Alfred Janniot adorn the monument. They symbolize war and peace. They also represent violence and appeasement. An inscription above them reads: “The City of Nice to its sons who died for France.” Above the inscription is the eagle. The eagle is the symbol of Nice.
Inside the memorial, names of the main campaigns of the war are engraved. The names include Somme, Marne, Verdun, and Artois. The names of 4,000 Nice residents who died for France are inscribed on the wall below. Steles on either side of the forecourt depict artillery, air force, cavalry, engineers, infantry, and navy.
The monument was inaugurated on January 29, 1928. Marshal Foch and naval officers from England, America, and Italy attended. Families of the victims placed identity plaques in a bronze reliquary. The reliquary was sealed in the funeral urn. In 2018, a bronze eagle-shaped reliquary was found in the Monument aux Morts. It contained rings, bracelets, and nearly 2,000 plaques of fallen soldiers.
The Plaque commémorative du 363e RI, while smaller in scale, shares the same purpose. It commemorates the departure of local soldiers. These soldiers left from this very spot. They left to defend their nation. This war memorial serves as a place for reflection. It helps us remember the sacrifices made for freedom.