Red Zones
During the four years of trench warfare from 1914 to 1918, large parts of Northern France were more or less affected. After the war, the most devastated parts were declared "red zones". They were deemed too physically and environmentally damaged for human habitation.
However, large parts of it could be prepared for use again. Other parts were afforested or became restricted military areas. About 25 of the destroyed villages were never rebuilt - they disappeared from the surface: "Vanished villages".
What if the First World War had taken place in Southern Germany?
If one transfers the red zones to scale on a map of southern Germany, one sees that a strip from Koblenz in the west to Regensburg in the east would have been devastated.
To the east of Reims, the red zones were reduced to three restricted military areas.
Seven destroyed villages - one of them Nauroy - and a hamlet were not rebuilt.
If 14-18 had taken place in Middle Franconia, five villages could have vanished:
Hannberg, Kosbach, Steudach, Kleingründlach and Neunhof.