GOETZ: 1918 Post WWI Satirical

[Bronzemonger]

K-213 IN THE FLUSH OF VICTORY (Im Siegestaumel), 1918, Cast Bronze, 58mm, RR, AU.

Obverse: The Gallic coq proudly stands on the flag staffs of his allies, America, England, and Italy. In the background are cracked and burning buildings with a “Viva Foch” inscription. Dated October 1918.

Reverse: The French General Foch is seen leading the embodiment of four preponderant shareholding continents in victory; the African native, Asiatic oriental, Australian aborigine, and the American Indian.

This has been a tough one to acquire. In the five years I've been collecting Goetz I think I've seen two or three times but always in a large collection at auction. I had always had to forego picking this one up because I'd be trying to acquire rarer pieces from the same auction. Anyway, I just picked up another 15-20 pieces from a private U.S. collection and this was one of the pieces. I have always referred to this medal as the "The Village People" medal as it always reminds me of one of their album covers I recall from the 70's. Enjoy.

 

[jeggy]

Enjoy.

I do. Thanks.

 

[Bronzemonger]

I do. Thanks.

Thanks jeggy, I appreciate your interest.

 

[Don_Carleone]

Well, I thank you too. However, I´ve to admit that I really can´t find any reasonable interpretation for the medail´s reverse.

While Foche´s role during and after war, concerning tactics and politics, is clear the connection between representative soldiers and his person remains unclear for me.

Mostly Goetz refers to actual events, the support of own troops with ones colonial subjects is a very frequent used motive, too . Was his
intention to display it as allied weakness, not being able to win a war without inferior support ?

Greetings,

Don

 

[Bronzemonger]

Well, I thank you too. However, I´ve to admit that I really can´t find any reasonable interpretation for the medail´s reverse.

While Foche´s role during and after war, concerning tactics and politics, is clear the connection between representative soldiers and his person remains unclear for me.

Mostly Goetz refers to actual events, the support of own troops with ones colonial subjects is a very frequent used motive, too . Was his
intention to display it as allied weakness, not being able to win a war without inferior support ?

Greetings,

Don

As far as I can tell, Don, that was exactly his intent...he wanted to slap Foch in the face stating that France was too weak to win on their own. I am still a novice on WWI history so please don't take my word as fact...I can only guess what Goetz was trying to say but this explanation seems to make sense.

 

[Don_Carleone]

Maybe you try to search "french victories" by clicking "Good Luck" in Google

 

[Bronzemonger]

Maybe you try to search "french victories" by clicking "Good Luck" in Google

........

 

[Don_Carleone]

As long as you are a novice in the history of WWI and as long as you haven´t read it before I recomment the reading of Remarque´s "All Quiet On Western Front" and Jünger´s "Storms of Steel".

Remarque and Jünger represent contrasting standpoints.
While Remarque lays emphasis on the presentation of a down-to-earth boy who is thrilled with the course of war, Jünger subliminally
conjures the idea of a traditional and naive warrior spirit.
Jünger´s style is neither slanting nor less brutal but more aesthetical than Remarques.

After reading you´ve an good idea of the different fluids in the German society before, after and during WW I.

Greetings,
Don

 

[Bronzemonger]

Thanks Don...I'll go look them up now on Amazon...Junger's sounds particularly interesting as I have an interest in Archetypes and Hero/Warrior mythology.