Tag Archives: World War 1

Travel Tips: New Luxury Hotel, Les Jardins du Mess, in Verdun now Taking Reservations

January 1, 2016 by Randy
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Readers Stefan Schweitzer and Christina Holstein report that Verdun’s new luxury hotel, Les Jardins du Mess, is now accepting reservations.  The hotel’s Facebook page advertises the property as a hotel, restaurant, bar, spa and arboretum (parc arboré).  A quick look at the website, http://www.lesjardinsdumess.fr/, and the room prices suggests that this will be a luxury hotel in the heart of Verdun.  As a reminder, the building was the former French officers’ quarters, situated right along the Meuse River.  Travelers looking for luxury reservations in the heart of Verdun should Continue reading →

Books and Movies–a New Years Resolution: Building a 2016 Reading List

January 1, 2016 by Randy
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First of all, Happy New Year, Bonne Année, and Frohes neues Jahr to all readers of this blog and the Meuse-Argonne Facebook Group!   Spending more time researching and reading up on the Meuse-Argonne is one of the webmaster’s 2016 New Years resolutions.  (Learning French is the other major one.)   Toward that end–and for the benefit of all readers–the webmaster is polling readers to find out their favorite Meuse-Argonne books in the following categories: Overall Battle / Discussion of Strategy / etc. Regimental / Divisional Continue reading →

We Forget Today: The Cost of the War–Lt. Col. Whittlesey, 77th Div., and John Nelson, 1st Div

November 25, 2015 by Randy
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We forget today just what an impact World War One had on the lives of its participants and their families.  During these Centennial years it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of commemorations and plans to visit the battlefields again.  (The Webmaster just marched in NYC’s Veteran’s Day Parade with a group of WW1 Reenactors.)  Yet every now and then–sometime between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, perhaps–it’s a fitting time to reflect on the human cost of the war.  Consider the two well-documented cases below; and remember Continue reading → Continue reading →

Then and Now: American Cemetery & Camp Romagne, Part 2

October 31, 2015 by Randy
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Following publication of American Cemetery & Camp Romagne, Meuse-Argonne.com Facebook Group member Therry Schwartz provided these additional photos and details regarding the construction of the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.  Thanks very much Therry!     Here is the evolution of the cemetery at Romagne. It might be somewhat simplistic but only a full length book would do it the justice it deserves.  The first photo is a typical battlefield cemetery.  The men are buried where they fell.  In this Signal Corps photo members of the GRS are Continue reading →

People of the Meuse-Argonne: Stefan Schweitzer

October 24, 2015 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? Stefan Schweitzer, German, attorney at law   2) Which languages do you speak, and how fluently do you speak Continue reading →

News & Events–Stateside: WFA East Coast Branch Symposium, Oct. 24, York, PA

October 11, 2015 by Randy
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The East Coast Branch of the Western Front Association is hosing its Fall 2015 World War I History Symposium on Saturday, October 24 at the York County Heritage Trust in York, PA.  The program will feature authors and speakers on several topics, including the life of General Pershing and the 1st Division’s attack on Cantigny. Please see the flyer below for a full list of details, cost and directions.  Please note that the cut-off date for mail-in registrations is Oct. 18.  However, you can contact Continue reading →

Then and Now: American Cemetery and Camp Romagne

October 11, 2015 by Randy
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  Caption:  General view of the cemetery and camp Romagne Location:  Today’s Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France Source of Then Photo:  French post-war postcard   When the webmaster found this postcard he was immediately reminded of an excerpt from Richard Rubin’s “The Last of the Doughboys:  The Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten World War.”  Richard tells the story of Corporal Howard Ramsey, who was assigned as a driver to the 302nd Water Tank Train.  After the war, his unit was involved in driving American bodies Continue reading →

Survey: Where do you plan to be / want to be the morning of Sept. 26, 2018?

September 26, 2015 by Randy
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Today is September 26, 2015–the 100th anniversary of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive is just three years away.  Do you want to / plan to be there?  If so, where will you be at 0530 on Sept. 26, 2018?  Why that location?   Heute ist der 26. Sept. 2015.  Das 100-jährige Jubiläum der Maas-Argonnen Offensive liegt nur drei Jahre in der Zukunft.  Möchten Sie dabei sein?  Werden Sie dabei sein?  Wenn ja, wo werden Sie um 5.30 Uhr am 26.09.2018 sein?  Warum dort?   Aujourd’hui est le Continue reading →

Then and Now: Exermont

September 20, 2015 by Randy
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    Caption:  “A Man Who Goes Through Battle Does Not Get Over It.”  A moment after the preceding picture had been taken, the screech of a high explosive shell was heard and the men who had been loitering in the street of Exermont, which they had just captured, scrambled for cover. Location:  On the D142, right by the church. Source of Then Photo:  “Forward March!  Section 2.  The Photographic Record of American in the World War and the Post War Social upheaval.”  Disabled American Continue reading →