Tag Archives: AEF

La Vie en France #6: An Evening Walk in Doulcon

May 16, 2017 by Randy
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Situated in the Department of the Meuse and the Region of Lorraine, Doulcon has  a population of around 430 inhabitants.  As travelers to the region know, this is not a wealthy port city along the coast.  Rather, Doulcon is situated in the heart of farming country; and its houses and streets reflect the increasing difficulties of farming–even in the heart of France with all its farm subsidies.  Luckily, the region also attracts thousands of tourists a year:  Tourists, such as the Dutch, who love the natural beauty Continue reading →

Join the Friends of Romagne and Support the Romagne 14-18 Museum

April 25, 2017 by Randy
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  Jean-Paul de Vries’ Romagne 14-18 Museum one of the best known museums / attractions in the Meuse-Argonne, and it is visited by thousands each year.  (The Webmaster first visited the museum in 2004, right before it moved to its current location.)  However, as with most museums it takes a tremendous amount of work and funds to operate.  In order to ensure adequate financial support for the museum, the foundation “Friends of Romagne” has been established.  Below is a letter from the foundation’s Chairman encouraging visitors Continue reading →

Research Tips: The Western Front Association, East Coast Branch and The Western Front Association

March 21, 2017 by Randy
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    As the Centennial commemoration of U.S. involvement in the war approaches, interest in the First World War is likely to increase.  However, without giving the newly interested some tangible steps to “feed” their hunger for knowledge and networking interest in the topic could quickly fade.  Luckily, there are organizations in the U.S. and world-wide that can help people learn more about the First World War.  The March 6 blog post focused on the World War One Historical Association.  This blog post will focus Continue reading →

Then and Now: Dressing Station in Marcq

February 25, 2017 by Randy
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    Caption:  Figure 76–Dressing station operated by Ambulance Company No. 311, 78th Division, at Marcq, Ardennes, October 17, 1918.  Note that one can see two medical (i.e. red cross) flags in the then photo.   “On Oct. 10 the 78th Division moved into the Argonne Forest west of Montblainville in reserve of the I Corps.  On October 16 the division relieved the 77th Division in a sector along the Aire River from St. Juvin to Grand-Pré.”  (78th Division:  Summary of Operations in the World Continue reading →

News and Events–Stateside: April 6 is Fast Approaching. Stay Informed of Upcoming Events

February 4, 2017 by Randy
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  Did you know?  Do your Friends know? April 6–the 100th anniversary of U.S. entry into the war is fast approaching, and events will be happening across the U.S. to mark the date. The WW1CC  (http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php) is an umbrella organization that communicates among all groups and does so much more. The WW1CC provides a monthly (or bimonthly) “Education Resources” newsletter for educators.  (Drop-down tab “Educate.”) The WW1CC will post “Stories of Service” about your relative who fought in the Great War.  (Drop-down tab “Commemorate.”) The WW1CC is raising funds to build 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 →

Noteworthy Websites: Library of Congress Web Guide

January 22, 2017 by Randy
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The webmaster recently stumbled across the following web guide on the Library of Congress website:  A Guide to World War I Materials.  “This guide complies links to the World War I resources throughout the Library of Congress Web site.  In addition, this guide provides links to external Web sites focusing on World War I and a bibliography containing sections for both general and younger readers.”  Covered topics range from the John J. Pershing Papers to historic American newspapers, to geography and map finding aids.  Researchers and readers Continue reading →

Then and Now: Field Hospitals Between Cuisy and Septsarges

December 31, 2016 by Randy
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    Caption:  Fig. 73–View from Cuisy across the valley toward Septsarges, showing Field Hospitals No. 19 and No. 21.   Location:  The photo is taken from the home / farm complex on the Northeast side of Cuisy.  The road in the foreground–which is the best way to match up the pictures–is the D19a (Route de Montfaucon).  Note that there appears to be no farmhouse (or farmhouse remains) on the right side of the road in the then photo.  The road running along the hilltop is the Continue reading →

News and Events–U.S.: A Melange of WW1 Media as April 2017 Approaches

December 10, 2016 by Randy
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  This post will focus on four media items:  A video on NJ in the Great War; the exhibit “World War I and American Art;” the upcoming American Experience (PBS) film “The Great War;” and the WW1 Centennial’s Website, which is full of information on upcoming events.     Video:  NJ in the Great War New Jersey’s WW1 Centennial Commission and the NJ Dept. of Travel and Tourism are promoting travel regarding New Jersey’s role in the Great War.  They have prepared a two-minute video that Continue reading →

Travel Tips: Passe au Present! Militaria Shop in Dun-sur-Meuse

December 10, 2016 by Randy
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  The webmaster enjoys “discovering” new places every time he visits the Meuse-Argonne; and this happened in November, when he discovered the Passé au Présent! militaria shop in Dun-sur-Meuse.   The shop is run by father, Jacques Mansy, and his son, Thibault Mansy; each with their own areas of specialization.  Jacques Mansy specializes in unit histories, old postcards and ephemera relating to WW1, WW2 and the French colonial wars.  Thibault specializes in military antiques, including helmets, U.S. WW1 items and knives and bayonets from around the world.  Continue reading →