On August 9, General Gallieni was enjoying a meal in a Paris café when he overheard an editor from Le Temps discussing his supposed military achievements. The editor claimed that Gallieni had just taken control of Colmar with a force of 30,000 soldiers. Gallieni, sitting nearby in civilian attire, found this claim amusing and leaned over to share a quiet comment with his friend.

This moment highlights the intersection of perception and reality in historical narratives. Gallieni's remark, "That is how history is written," underscores the power of media and public opinion in shaping historical events, suggesting that the stories told can influence how we understand military accomplishments, regardless of their factual accuracy.