Recent Website Updates, Including Laplander’s Guide to AEF Research Materials

May 22, 2020 by Randy
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The Webmaster continues to improve / update the Meuse-Argonne.com website during the Coronavirus period; even while he expands his activities with Knee Deep Into History Battlefield Tours. Today, he added Robert J. Laplander’s “A Guide to Research Materials for the AEF in WW1, Outside of NARA” under the Research Tools / AEF Statistics and Research tab. This guide was published in the Meuse-Argonne.com Facebook Group and it proved to be very popular. The Research Tools tab has been reorganized into four sections to make it Continue reading →

Research Tips: Researching and Downloading A.E.F. Signal Corps Photographs

April 10, 2020 by Randy
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The Signal Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces took more than 70,000 photographs during the First World War. Most of the photographs are available online at the National Archives’ website. This post will explain how to find them in simple English. Step 1: Find and download the “Catalogue of Official A.E.F. Photographs taken by The Signal Corps, U.S.A.” It was published by the Government Printing Office in 1919 and can be easily downloaded. (The book is 590 pages. The webmaster’s downloaded copy is 64,415 KB Continue reading →

News & Events Over There: Romagne ’14-’18 Update

February 11, 2020 by Randy
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For visitors to the Meuse-Argonne Jean-Paul de Vries’ Romagne ’14-’18 Museum is a well-known institution and often a must-visit location. The Webmaster has always assumed that the museum was a highly profitable institution, as it generated revenues from 1) museum entrance fees, 2) lunches, 3) hikes and tours and 4) the sale of rusty bits. However, a recent discussion with Jean-Paul suggests that Romagne ’14-’18 is far less profitable than one would think for several reasons. In fact, Jean-Paul is currently asking for donations to Continue reading →

Travel Tips: Ignore the Coronavirus Noise and Make Plans to Visit the Battlefields in 2020

February 1, 2020 by Randy
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Humans tend to be afraid of what they don’t know—and right now it is the coronavirus.  Headlines seem to be incessant:  There are at least six confirmed cases in the USA, all of whom recently visited China.  Cruise ships and airlines are cancelling services.  Chinese officials are extending the Chinese New Year holiday to reduce hopefully slow transmission.  Etc. I would suggest that readers step back, take a breath, and then continue making plans to visit the battlefields in 2020.  Near-term airline bargains could be Continue reading →

La Vie en France #43: Podcast Explores Cultural Differences Between France and USA

January 30, 2020 by Randy
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https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/12896063/tdest_id/389346 Above is a link to the second “Battles of the First World War Podcast” that the Webmaster has done with Mike Cunha. Together with cross-cultural trainer and author Carol Kieffer, the three participants spend about an hour talking about a wide range of cultural differences between France and the U.S.A. The goal of this podcast is to give potential first-time (or second- or third-time) travelers to France a more pleasant experience, because they will have some idea of what to expect. Together, the three Continue reading →

People of the Meuse-Argonne: Susi & Todd Adler

January 21, 2020 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. 1) What are your name, nationality, and occupation? Susanne Adler, American, business consultant Todd Adler, American, IT administrator 2) Which languages do you speak, and how fluently do you speak Continue reading →

Then and (Not Quite) Now: 315th Inf. Regt. Celebrating Thanksgiving 1918 in Damvillers

November 28, 2019 by Randy
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In 2017 the Webmaster and a client explored this series of Signal Corps photos showing troops of the 315th Inf. Regt. , 79 Division, A.E.F. celebrating Thanksgiving 1918 in Damvillers. These were taken on 28 November, 1918–101 years ago from the date of this post. The first three photos show Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn addressing troops in the town square. Photos taken there are easy to line up because the uniquely-shaped Mairie (Village Hall) still stands. Unfortunately, the Webmaster lost his “now” photos, so Continue reading →

One Year Ago: Meet and Greet Dinner, Aubreville, France–Friday, 21 Sept. 2018

September 20, 2019 by Randy
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The ABMC Centennial Commemorations at the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne American Cemeteries on 22 and 23 September 2018, respectively, provided a large crowd of Americans in Lorraine, France and a wonderful opportunity for networking and broadening one’s horizons.  With this in mind, webmaster Randy Gaulke and German tour guide, Markus Klauer, teamed up to sponsor a Meet and Greet Dinner on Friday night, 21 September that became one of their favorite events of the year.  The location selected was the Hotel-Restaurant du Commerce in Aubréville, Continue reading →

People of the Meuse-Argonne: Peter Wever

September 15, 2019 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.         1)  What are your name, nationality and occupation? Peter Wever, from the Netherlands, medical doctor in a general hospital.  Hence the nickname “Doc.”   2)  Which Continue reading →

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 →

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