Bismarck Henning High School - History of The Blue Devil

History of The Blue Devil

During World War I, the French infantry unit called the Chasseurs Alpins were nicknamed "les Diables Bleus", or "the Blue Devils". They first gained attention when their unique training and Alpine knowledge was counted upon to break the stalemate of trench warfare in their native region of the French Alps. Unfortunately the Vosges Campaign in March 1915 failed to alter the status quo even though the Blue Devils won accolades for their courage. However, their distinctive blue uniforms with flowing capes and jaunty berets captured the public imagination. When the United States entered the war, units of the French Blue Devils toured the country helping raise money in the war effort.

Irving Berlin captured their spirit in song describing them as “strong and active, most attractive…those Devils, the Blue Devils of France.”

Read more about this topic:  Bismarck Henning High School

Famous quotes containing the words history of, history, blue and/or devil:

    The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.
    Karl Marx (1818–1883)

    The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records between the material and the moral nature.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    ... wounding God with his blue face,
    his tyranny, his absolute kingdom,
    with my aphrodisiac.
    Anne Sexton (1928–1974)

    Will mankind never learn that policy is not morality,—that it never secures any moral right, but considers merely what is expedient? chooses the available candidate,—who is invariably the devil,—and what right have his constituents to be surprised, because the devil does not behave like an angel of light? What is wanted is men, not of policy, but of probity,—who recognize a higher law than the Constitution, or the decision of the majority.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)