The Military Drive

A chauffeur driven automobile, probably a Decauville, races down a dusty road transporting two high ranking military men, to what seems to be an important strategic meeting. The two military men are deep in conversation and their importance seems emphasized by the depiction of the chauffeur as a smaller individual. The automobile also seems larger than life again suggesting that the two military men are of considerable importance.The automobile was obviously of growing importance not only for the well to do but also for the military. Société des Voitures Automobiles Decauville was a French automobile maker and subsidiary of Société Decauville in Petit-Bourg that was already famous for producing locomotives. It was founded in 1897 by Paul Decauville and the factory started producing automobiles in 1898. The first automobile was designed by Joseph Guédon and Gustave Cornilleau.