Celebrating Victory

On October 19, the Council president Georges Clemenceau was welcomed at city hall and the prefecture by the new prefect. On the 20th, the mayor Charles Delesalle, received an ovation in Paris, place de la Concorde, in front of the flower-covered Lille statue. The 21st, Poincaré, president of the French Republic was greeted Grand Place by an exuberant crowd while English troops paraded. On the 28th, General Birdwood was made an honorary citizen of the city. Foch, Pétain, and King George V also came to Lille. The same jubilant scenes took place in the department’s cities and the same official visits were repeated. President Poincaré visited Douai and Valenciennes on November 10 and on the following January 29, Avesnes. On November 7, the Prince of Wales reviewed the troops in Valenciennes during the Liberation Celebrations. On the 1st of December, it was King George V who was welcomed in Avesnes. After more than 4 years of isolation, it was time to bring the populations of the Nord back to the bosom of the Motherland.