Tag Archives: Montfaucon

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 →

Then and Now: Montfaucon under German Occupation

January 28, 2017 by Randy
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Authors/researchers and editors/publishers don’t always share the same objectives.  More often than not, photographs, maps, tables, etc. get edited out of books for reasons of length, readability, etc.  The webmaster felt this when reading William Travis Walker Jr.’s well-researched “Betray at Little Gibraltar:  A German Fortress, a Treacherous American General, and the Battle to End World War I.”  Mr. Walker’s description of the German positions in and around Montfaucon was largely verbal, with a limited number of photos and no war-time map. As one would Continue reading →

Ninety-Eight Years Ago Today: A Look Back on Day 1 and Montfaucon

September 27, 2016 by Randy
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From 26  Sept. to 11 Nov. 2016–the 98th anniversary of the Meuse-Argonne–the webmaster plans to post a daily entry; some of which will be prepared by guest writers.  In most cases, the post will also contain a photograph of the grave of a soldier who died on that day and who is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.  During his recent battlefield tour the webmaster did a “random walk” of the cemetery; photographing individual crosses.  Readers are encouraged to provide any details on those persons via comment Continue reading →

Then and Now: First Aid in Septsarges

September 24, 2016 by Randy
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    Caption:  “If this wounded soldier can reach Septsarges, across the valley, he will find a first aid station.  To get there, he must crawl and scramble over the intervening space that is swept by a flanking machine gun fire.”   Location:  The un-numbered road that runs between Nantillois and Septsarges, closer to Septsarges.  The original photographer was standing a bit further in the field, and his picture did not capture the bend in the road.  There was also no farm and no tree Continue reading →

People of the Meuse-Argonne: Marc and Elfi Calluy

September 10, 2016 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 multi-year research or preservation projects.  In this irregular interview series, the webmaster hopes to introduce readers to some of these individuals and their labors of love.     1)  What are your name, nationality and occupation? Calluy, Marc and Elfi Webmasters note:  They are Belgian and they run a Bar and Chambres et table d’Hôtes named Le Continue reading →

Travel Tips: Chambres d’Hotes Arara–A Handicapped Accessible B&B in Montfaucon-d’Argonne

August 27, 2016 by Randy
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Travelers with disabilities traveling to Europe know that it can be challenging to find suitable accommodations and to tour many sites.  Small European hotels often have no elevator / lift; and all their rooms are situated on floors other than the ground floor.   On his latest battlefield tour Webmaster Randy Gaulke met with Jan and Lenie Mulder, owners of the Arara Chambres d’Hôtes in Montfaucon-d’Argonne.  (Jan and Lenie were featured as the May 2016 “People of the Argonne” on this website.)  They informed him that Continue reading →

Then and Now: Crown Prince House in Montfaucon-d’Argonne

August 27, 2016 by Randy
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    Caption:  The original Signal Corps photo reads:  “Stretcher bearers, 317th Inf., 79th Div., taking last German prisoner out of the house used as observatory by Crown Prince, from which he directed the attack on Verdun early in the war.  Montfaucon, Oct. 2, 1918.”   The webmaster is indebted to Marc Calluy, owner of Le Coq D’Or in Montfaucon, for recognizing that the fence still exists even though the house is long gone. Also, both the webmaster and Marc question the photo’s caption because Continue reading →

Travel Tips: What can one see of the Meuse-Argonne Battlefield Today?

August 11, 2014 by Randy
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In recent conversations, acquaintances who have some interest in history and/or a relative who fought in the war have asked this question. On the surface, it was asked innocently enough. They had no idea what they could expect to see on the battlefield. So here’s a list of some of the easily-visible sites in the Meuse-Argonne:   Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon Montfaucon American Monument Destroyed Village of Montfaucon Vauquois Hill and Destroyed Village of Vauquois Lost Batallion Site, near Binarville Sgt. York Sites, near Chatel Chéhéry Continue reading →