The Crumbling of Petals

In February 1977, Amélie Boucher, 20 years old, was in her second month as a Sous Lieutenant in the French Army, having just graduated from the prestigious Saint-Cyr War Academy. She had been the first woman admitted and the youngest cadet, entering the academy at 17 years old.

Amélie held the title of a commissioned officer, with primary responsibilities in administrative and clerical support to General Philippe Laroche. She was stationed at Fort Saint-Jean near Épinal, in the Lorraine region of northeastern France. There, she met the British Liaison Officer, Captain James Harper, within her first few days.

The two quickly became lovers, their encounters secretive yet passionate. They exchanged promises of eternal love and a stable life together in the near future. But only one of them truly meant it.

Their love was intense and felt genuine during the two months it lasted.

The picture was taken by Captain James Harper and shows Sous-Lieutenant Boucher wearing only navy blue shorts and a white bra, looking at him sultrily while raising her eyeglasses. It was a particularly warm day despite the fog in the area near Lac de Gérardmer in the Vosges Mountains.