World War

Taxis Of The Marne

In France, the car plays an important role during the First World War. The soldiers, who had the habit of using the horse or to walk, now enjoy the car to move quickly, but also easily carry ammunition and food. This is the organization on the battlefield and mainly the back which is thus modified. Indeed, the transport of wounded is now carried in trucks specially equipped ambulances ending hippomobiles.

Taxis of the Marne are an example of this upheaval caused by the automobile. In 1914, the Germans made ​​a major breakthrough in the French lines forcing General Joffre planning a major offensive. The French must therefore send more troops to stem the German advance. The trains are not available, ineffective or insufficient capacity, General Joseph Gallieni then think requisition massive Parisian taxis. The order is launched on 7 September 1914 in 13 hours and 18 hours, nearly 600 taxis are réquisitionnés. These, gathered at the Military Academy in Paris, will carry some 5000 soldiers on the front at 5 passengers by taxi and two trips retours. With this idea, is saved Paris from the Germans. This is the first major use of the automobile in the war, profiting thereby to its growth and industrialisation.