Tag Archives: ABMC

Books & Movies: American Armies and Battlefields in Europe (1938)

September 10, 2019 by Randy
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    Why write a review for a book written in 1938?  Because the book remains the bible (small “b”) for battlefield visitors!  The Webmaster gets numerous emails from information seekers, and his responses ALWAYS recommend this book as a good starting point for pilgrims.  Likewise, hundreds of people have joined the Meuse-Argonne Facebook group over the last several months looking for more information on their ancestor’s experience in WW1.  Again, this provides a great start. American Armies and Battlefields in Europe was first published Continue reading →

Website Update: Map Case Page has been Constructed. View it for Details.

May 29, 2019 by Randy
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This is just a simple note to let readers know that the Webmaster has (finally) constructed the page:  “Features / Map Case.”  It includes details on where to find maps for the Offensive and the A.E.F. in general.  It also includes three NARA finding guides for maps in the National Archives’ collections and the numbers of IGN 1:25,000 scale maps relevant for touring the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Feedback or additional sources of maps is appreciated.

News & Events–Over There: Deadline to Join the Reconstruction / Occupation Tour is 30 April. Sign up Today!

April 16, 2019 by Randy
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    Only two weeks remain (30 April) to sign up for the 1918-19 Reconstruction / Occupation of Germany Tour!  Readers who are interested in participating should reserve a space today by contacting Webmaster Randal Gaulke.         Tour guides Randal Gaulke and Markus Klauer hope to give participants a glimpse of France (or at least the Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel Regions) immediately post-war using maps, photos and documents such as the postcards of Avocourt shown in this blog post.  The second half Continue reading →

Then and Now: Montfaucon d’Argonne 1918-19 Versus Today

October 29, 2018 by Randy
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    Few sites on the Meuse-Argonne American battlefield are as heavily visited as Montfaucon d’Argonne; and yet it remains difficult to “see” the town as it looked at the end of the war.  Moving from a destroyed village to a preserved memorial park that can be visited safely by thousands annually requires considerable clean-up and sanitization.  Thus, one sees the Memorial, the (enhanced) church ruins and a scattering of observation pillboxes, along with some good signage; but one does not see the ruined town Continue reading →

News & Events Over There: Still Planning Your Centennial Trip to France?

June 26, 2018 by Randy
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  For those of you still planning your 2018 Centennial trip to France, the Webmaster hopes this summary of events and information sites will be helpful to readers:   Meuse-Argonne.com Events The Webmaster and German historian Markus Klauer are offering a Small Group Battlefield Walk Series–with great date flexibility–from 20 – 27 September.  Each day will focus on a different Army Corps and will include a driven “monuments tour” in the am and an intensive hike in the pm.  The tour has also been designed Continue reading →

The Griffin Group Photo Archive–Early Customer Feedback

May 5, 2018 by Randy
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In late April, 2018 Webmaster Randal Gaulke began to market copies of the Griffin Group Photo Archive, a collection of 2,300+ high-quality black and white photos that were taken by the Signal Corps in early 1919.  Details of the Griffin Group Photo Archive and a Q&A blogpost About the Griffin Group Photo Archive can be found on these links. Rather than hearing the Webmaster / Seller talk yet again about what a wonderful collection of photographs this is, readers can hear from some of the Continue reading →

About the Griffin Group Photo Archive: Q&A with Randal Gaulke

April 26, 2018 by Randy
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In early 1919 a group of professional Signal Corps photographers under the leadership of Major T.J. Griffin of the Intelligence Section <G-2> of the AEF General Staff took more than 2,300 high-quality b/w photographs of the American battlefields on the Western Front.  For years, the “Griffin Group” photo archive remained tucked away in the National Archives; known only to a handful of researchers.  In 2017 battlefield historian and tour guide Randal Gaulke viewed this photo collection and was astonished by the level of detail and Continue reading →

News & Events: Lost Battalion and I Corps Battlefield Tour, 4-7 October, 2018

April 15, 2018 by Randy
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  Space is still available for the Lost Battalion and I Corps Battlefield Tour, 4-7 October, that was announced in early March.  Readers should not pass up the opportunity to participate! Why?  First, Robert Laplander, author of “Finding the Lost Battalion…” will be leading the LB and 77th Division portions of this tour.  He is arguably one of the most knowledgeable people on the episode of the Lost Battalion; and he does not make it to Europe often.  This is a chance to spend quality Continue reading →

Getting Back Into the Action

February 25, 2018 by Randy
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  Regular blog and Facebook Group readers have likely noticed a lack of posts since the Webmaster returned home from France in November 2017.  This has been due to several factors: Christmas and New Years activities with the wife and others after six months in France; Adjusting to life “away” from the trenches; Website re-design; Working on tour offerings with historians Markus Klauer and Robert Laplander; and Working on an upcoming DVD Release.  (More shortly.)   With 2018 progressing quickly, it’s time to have a Continue reading →

People of the Meuse-Argonne: Manon Bart

October 17, 2017 by Randy
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Even today French locals, other Europeans and Americans find themselves drawn to the Meuse-Argonne region of France.  Once drawn there, many return time and again; often working on a multi-year research or preservation project.  In this irregular interview series, the webmaster hopes to introduce readers to some of these individuals and their labors of love.   2018 update:  As of 16 January, 2018 Manon will be moving to Paris as a Communications Assistant with the American Battle Monuments Commission.  Congratulations Manon!       1)  Continue reading →