Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 461
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[Page 461]
provides that we leave Fontainebleau each morning at 8 AM for Recloses, a village some 8 kilometres from the town. Mornings are to be spent at practical demonstrations of French and English Tanks, while the afternoons are to be devoted to lectures.
Tuesday 10th September
Very heavy rain set in during the morning and quite spoilt the work of the day. General Estienne the French Tank Corps Commander opened the proceedings by a short address in which he welcomed the assembled officers and then briefly explained the organization and tactics of Tanks. Later in the morning we were shown the new French Renault Tank together with British Mark V and Mark V star Tanks. Very heavy rain however forced a discontinuance of the day's work at Recloses but after lunch the C.O. of the British Tanks came to Fontainebleau and gave the afternoon's lecture there. The weather cleared about 4 pm. so we took the opportunity of motoring round and through the Fontainebleau Forest – the many excellent drives giving us an ample opportunity of seeing a great deal of this famous wood.
Wednesday 11th September
This morning's programme provided for illustrations in attack of both French and British Tanks, while in the afternoon the lecture was on the organization of the French Tank Corps. After our return to Fontainebleau, we went through the famous old Palace, which was full of interest. One wished one could have seen it in all its splendour of Napoleon's days. Purchased some booklets of views to send home.