very  kindly  ebayer  advises  data  AND provided a copy of the certificate / other documents  at the end of  my  photographs last  three images  

His name was Robert Ernest Arsene BRETAU and he a was just a little over 20 years old when he was killed by the enemy at Montblainville on the Meuse.

AN EARLY WAR CASUALTY   on 14 Sept 1914 ...

Arsene Ernest Robert BRETEAU

Died for France on 15-09-1914 (Montblainville, 55 - Meuse, France)

Born on 30-11-1893 in Chauvigny-du-Perche ( 41 - Loir-et-Cher, France)

20 years, 9 months and 15 days

CareerMilitary status

- Land

Rank private 2nd class

Unit 46th infantry regiment (46th RI)

Class 1913

Recruitment office Blois (41)

No. Service number at recruitment 864

Mention Death for France

Place of transcription of death Launched (41 - Loir-et-Cher, France)

NOTE  THE COPY  CERTIFICATE AT THE END OF THE PHOTOS and the SERVICE  HISTORY  / REGIMENTAL HISTORY   IS ONLINE ONLY  AS  A REFERENCE  KINDLY  PROVIDED BY ANOTHER EBAY ENTHUSIAST  ..

AN AUTO  TRANSLATE OF  THE REGIMENTAL  HISTORY  GIVES  THE BELOW  TEXT  WITH  MANY  FLAWS 

12

13

During the day, it was the bombardment with the first weapons of

whoever flees leaves no rest. A few strays are caught. We exchange gunfire with stragglers.

Here is the Argonne, the adversary has recovered. He took positions at points recognized in advance and organized. He counter-attacked energetically at the Serious farm, Vauquois, Montblainville, Cheppy, Montfaucon. A terrible struggle begins in the middle of the forest, at hill 263 and hill 207; we must give ground as far as Neuvilly.

But the enemy is exhausted. On both sides, trenches are dug. We huddle in front of each other. The rifle pits where the soldier sought shelter will come together. Soon there will be continuous lines: mons positions will be organized. By the first days of October, stabilization is complete. A new war begins as hard, as terrible, it is trench warfare.

THE ARGONNE

At the end of October 1914, the regiment found itself opposite Vauquois. This village, perched on a steep hill, dominates the entire surrounding countryside. The position commands the Aire valley, from Varennes to Clermont. From the top of this marvelous observatory the enemy watches over the entire plain on our side and has views as far as the Sainte-Menehould-Verdun railway line. A first attack against this formidable position is launched. A battalion takes part. Starting from the Maize trenches, 2,000 meters from Vauquois, he arrives at La Cigalerie, a farm at the foot of the hill. From there, a few months later, the major attacks will start, which will allow us to reach the ridge.

In November, the 10th Division will occupy a sector in the forest

trenches. The oddly shaped projectiles, stuffed with chedite, exploded everywhere, mixed with the intermittent fire of the artillery. And as soon as the first shadows of evening extend over the forest, the shooting begins, incessant, until the first light of dawn. You have to know what an enemy does that you can't see through

the big trees. Patrols leave, it is during these hikes in the woods that soldier Collignon shines, always willing to go into danger.

We keep ourselves on our guard. Opposite is the elite of the Army

German that the Crown Prince commands in person. And we know

that he seeks to reach the Verdun railway line, to prevent the supply of our fortress. Several enemy attacks are triggered. The 46, in line at Bolante, victoriously repels the German assault waves.

on December 20, 1914, despite significant losses. But, on January 8, 1915, after a violent bombardment of our lines, the enemy managed to infiltrate, in Les Meurissons, through a gap which occurred between two regiments. A tough fight begins. In the trenches, our companies are attacked both from the front and from the rear. It’s a fierce, terrible hand-to-hand fight. Surrounded on all sides, crushed by numbers, we must give in. The enemy won't go far. A company is in reserve, under the orders of Lieutenant Courtès. With the greatest calm, in this almost desperate situation, he gathers his men, establishes a line of defense with his company and the elements of the 46 who managed to escape of the furnace. Under the orders of this leader, who sets an example to all, braving the danger, the line resists and the enemy assaults break under fire.

of our machine guns. The fight has lasted for several hours.