In 1914, the German army enters France through the Avesnois and makes its way to Paris.

After defeat in the first battle of the Marne, the Front is established and the armies hide themselves away.

The war of movement becomes a war of position. the German army occupies the conquered territories. Lille, Lens, Liévin, Valenciennes, Douai, Cambrai, Maubeuge… All towns, cities and territories that are subjected to the rules imposed by the new military authorities.

It is not until 1918 and the victorious Allied offensive that the war of movement resumes and the first occupation ends.