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General discussion around all things related to this site.
General Discussion
General discussion around all things related to this site.
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| scgehnrich | American citizens in Europe, 1914 | 1 | Dec 19 2009, 2:42 PM EST by lshurtleff | ||||
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Thread started: Dec 8 2009, 1:29 PM EST
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My now deceased grandmother was a 12-year old visiting Germany when the war broke out. She and her parents had to leave Germany and return to the US. Does anyone know how they might have traveled? Obviously by ship, but would it had to have been on a US ship (since a German ship would have been seized by the British), or some neutral ship that was hired to carry Americans out of Europe?
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| soldiersmail | After The Armistice | 0 | Nov 23 2009, 11:44 PM EST by soldiersmail | ||||
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Thread started: Nov 23 2009, 11:44 PM EST
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The Armistice on November 11, 1918 brought a temporary end to the hostilities of the Great War, but the conditions set forth required regular renewal until the final signing of the Treaty of Versailles in June, 1918. In the interim, the Allied troops already on the ground maintained their training and preparedness to resume the attack should Germany fail to meet any of the "onerous" conditions required by the Allied governments. Sam Avery remained in France with the 26th Division until April, 1919, prepared to join the Expeditionary Forces in Russia if necessary while worrying about the impact of the Spanish Flu at home. Read Soldier's Mail for more...
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26th Division
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| jlhowell | Just read "Diary of a Night Bomber Pilot in WW1" | 0 | Nov 12 2009, 4:40 PM EST by jlhowell | ||||
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Thread started: Nov 12 2009, 4:40 PM EST
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I bought this book based on Suddaby's recommendation. The book was good because it set the whole story in context. The author's relative and editor apparently visited all the locales mentioned in the pilot's diary. I'm still amazed at all the men who were willing to fly what in essence was a giant powered glider over usually unfamiliar territory, in freezing weather, at night, and knowing that a blown engine meant ditching into cold water or arguing with trees. I understand that the usual emergency communications device after letting down at sea was a homing pigeon!
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War in the Air
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| LeoVanBergen | Life Class by Pat Baker | 2 | Nov 6 2009, 8:26 AM EST by LeoVanBergen | ||||
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Thread started: Nov 6 2009, 8:23 AM EST
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Some historians have the idea that literature is of no value to them, because it is ‘not real’. I wholeheartedly disagree. It is real, it is just another kind of reality, a reality not of fact but of insight. And this goes not only for literature written in the times of the historical event itself, but also on modern literature, looking back upon days long past. When we are talking about medicine and World War I one of the first names coming into mind is of course Pat Baker. After, with The Ghost Road, she said goodbye to the Regeneration-trilogy about ten years ago, she has returned to 1914-1918 and medical care with her book Life Class. But this immediately is just about the only similarity with the trilogy. This time no psychiatry and no base hospital for upper class officers somewhere in Scotland, but the blood, the sweat and the tears of clearing stations near the Belgian front, including the death of doctors and nurses. Also this time no leading role for historical figures such as Owen or Sassoon. The two historical figures the story introduces – painter and doctor Henry Tonks and pacifist and feminist Ottoline Morell – only play a minor role.
One of the nurses listens to the name Paul Tarrant. Before the war he was part of Tonks’ painting class, making him paint for instance female nudes in the ‘life class’. With one of the models, Teresa, he starts an affair, but his one true love is his colleague in arts, the highly talented student Elinor. When Teresa leaves him to return to her husband – in spite of the fact she had left him because of his violent aggressiveness – soon Paul and Elinor come together. This leads to lots of sadness and anger in Kit, a painter of good fortune in contrast to Paul, who had proposed to Elinor in vain.
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disability
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shell-shock
surgery
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| Joerookery | Introduction and Handbook of Imperial Germany | 0 | Nov 4 2009, 5:08 AM EST by Joerookery | ||||
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Thread started: Nov 4 2009, 5:08 AM EST
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Hi,
We are members from San Antonio Texas. And unfortunately while we cannot join you this month for your seminar we are pleased to announce the completion of our latest book on "Handbook of Imperial Germany ". This has been met with a lot of very kind words, saying that this book had been needed for decades. I would be glad to send you a copy of the "plug "if you fill out the contact information on my website www.pickelhauben.net I am not sure how to edit pictures etc. on this. Otherwise I would post the table of contents and sample pages. I expected to be reviewed this month by both the British and American WFA. At 333 pages with 183 pictures and over 670 footnotes, this is an attempt to explain the intricacies of how the country worked -- militarily, politically, and socially. “I must say the 'Handbook' is a pretty impressive piece of work and one that has been long needed. Its approach - background, politics and then the army - works well. I thought I had a bit of a handle on 'the German Army' - I know now that this is an inaccurate title - and I now know how poor a handle I had. Full of fascinating and important facts and detail. No index sadly - big mistake. My copy, ordered Wednesday, arrived Friday. Hard, actually impossible, not to recommend the book highly. I am hoping to do a review for Stand To, something I only rarely do for books I have actually paid for!!” You can find the book on eBay. Just search the title or from the publisher for $25 http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=60521 |
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| LeoVanBergen | Treating the Trauma of the Great War | 0 | Nov 3 2009, 7:21 AM EST by LeoVanBergen | ||||
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Thread started: Nov 3 2009, 7:21 AM EST
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Daer all,
I am a medical historian from Amsterdam , mainly interseted in the relationship between war and medicine. Amongst others this resulted in a medical history on WWI called: Before my Helpless Sight. Suffering, dying and military medicine on the Western Front 1914-1918 (Ashgate Publishing 2009). For reviews see: http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/helpless-sight/index.html or: http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/book-reviews/91-general-interest/966-before-my-helpless-sight.html I shall (and of course you can) every once in a while put some info on a book on medical care in WWI on this page. First one: Gregory M. Thomas, Treating the Trauma of the Great War. Soldeirs, civilians and psychiatry in France 1914-1940 (Louisiana State University Press 2009) Great book on the way WWI influenced thinking and diagnosing and treatment of psychologically disturbed people, soldiers as well as civilians, and on how and why after the war pensions were (or beter: were not) issued to soldiers who had not been able to cope with the horrors of war.
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| soldiersmail | Meuse-Argonne Offensive | 0 | Oct 3 2009, 8:47 PM EDT by soldiersmail | ||||
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Thread started: Oct 3 2009, 8:47 PM EDT
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The Meuse-Argonne Offensive began in late September, 1918 and was both the largest American battle and greatest AEF military victory of the Great War. The 26th Division entered the action in early October and remained on the line under fire through the sudden cessation of hostilities on November 11. Sam Avery has just rejoined his company with Hdq. Co. and the final push begins. Read Soldier's Mail for more...
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| soldiersmail | Favorite WWI Films | 0 | Oct 3 2009, 3:29 PM EDT by soldiersmail | ||||
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Thread started: Oct 3 2009, 3:29 PM EDT
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The most recent theatrical release I have enjoyed was "Flyboys" which if nothing else did capture the gallantry of the American volunteers in the Lafayette Escadrille prior to formal American involvement in the war. "Anzacs" is a classic. Another which was made-for-TV was "The Lost Battalion" which isn't bad either. I'm willing to forgive alot in movies regarding WWI as long as they treat the subject pretty well. I would like to see "Passchendaele" which was a Canadian theatrical release a year or so ago. Unfortunately it came and went as fast as a trench raid.
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| caratunk | Memorial to Scotty | 0 | Oct 2 2009, 1:08 PM EDT by caratunk | ||||
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Thread started: Oct 2 2009, 1:08 PM EDT
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Hi Rich,
The memorial plaque to "Scotty" is located in St. Joseph's Cemetary in Newton, MA. Somewhere in the various books about the 26th (perhaps Ford, or Sibley) there is mention of Scotty's service. No time to dig back thru the text to find it, but I may stuble across it again. It's an interesting story of a young boy who signed up but was underage. I recall reading somewhere that he died from MG fire during St. Miheil battle, but not 100% sure. Good luck with your book. I owe you some feedback, I know... Shawn in Seekonk, MA |
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| meyati | Does anybody know anything about Hew Strachan? | 2 | Oct 2 2009, 10:58 AM EDT by JOELNORMAN | ||||
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Thread started: Jun 28 2009, 6:44 PM EDT
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I'm curious about Hew Strachan since I've been watching the specials on WW I on the Military Channel. It's based on his books and he's listed as the main writer. It has letters, photos and interviews from soldiers and civilians on all sides-Turks, Serbians, French, Scots, Russians, Prussians, Welch, English in general, Belgians, Germans in general. The footage of the Italian Front in the Alps is stupendous. Who would have thought that there is so much video footage of WW I in existance? Like the Serbian retreat/exile is a re-creation from a movie the Serbs made during the 1920s or 30s, so the sources are labeled fairly clear.
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exciting
Hew Strachan
history
military channel
WW I
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| jmgallen | World War I Speaker | 5 | Sep 27 2009, 9:52 PM EDT by jmgallen | ||||
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Thread started: Jan 29 2009, 8:24 PM EST
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I am a member of the Military History Club of the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. At our monthly noon time meetings we have a speaker give about a 45 minute talk about a military history topic. This month our leader mentioned that we have never had anyone talk about World War I. Are there any members in the St. Louis area who are willing and able to talk on a WWI related topic to our Club? If so, please contact me at JMGallen@juno.com
Thanks!
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| soldiersmail | St. Mihiel Offensive | 0 | Sep 5 2009, 9:00 PM EDT by soldiersmail | ||||
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Thread started: Sep 5 2009, 9:00 PM EDT
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The St. Mihiel Offensive began in early September, 1918 and involved a successful American push against German forces which was the beginning of the end of the Great War. Visit Soldier's Mail to read about the exploits of the 103rd Infantry as part of this offensive.
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| mjroman | Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining? | 8 | Sep 5 2009, 1:03 PM EDT by jmgallen | ||||
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Thread started: Nov 15 2008, 10:01 AM EST
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An article recently appeared in a British media outlet (The Independent; http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-killing-fields-of-the-first-world-war-979730.html) that describes how more British people visit the battlefields now than ever before. It is a good read.
In the article there is a thought provoking quote by Martin Middlebrook: "After the 80th anniversary [of the Somme] in 1996, I would have told you that two things were inevitable. We will see declining numbers of people at future commemorations. Interest in the war will gradually reduce. The opposite has been true." As we begin to approach the 100th anniversary of 1914, can we expect to see a similar phenomenon in the US? Or will our distance from the battlefields and our “lesser” experience” to that of the British dampen American interest in the Great War? Thoughts anyone?
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| JeffreyLaMonica | Fire control systems and safety precautions. | 8 | Sep 3 2009, 9:11 AM EDT by JeffreyLaMonica | ||||
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Thread started: Apr 7 2008, 8:52 PM EDT
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I heard that the Pollen fire control system contributed to British success at Jutland, while their failure to observe safety precautions when transporting shells and charges from below decks caused problems for the British. Anyone know more about this? What was the Pollen fire control system anyway?
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| jbeigie | New computer wargame on the Battle of Jutland. | 0 | Sep 2 2009, 9:40 PM EDT by jbeigie | ||||
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Thread started: Sep 2 2009, 9:40 PM EDT
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http://www.stormeaglestudios.com/public/html/se_Jutland_v2.html
Storm Eagle Studios has a new computer game on the Battle of Jutland. Game is designed by Norm Kroger who has done a number of computer games that I can personally say do a good job of finding the balance between playability and accuracy. I've downloaded the free demo for Jutland and plan on playing it soon. |
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| jbeigie | Digging up the Trenches | 0 | Sep 2 2009, 9:36 PM EDT by jbeigie | ||||
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Thread started: Sep 2 2009, 9:36 PM EDT
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The military history channel is showing a 2007 documentary on an archeology dig on the allied and german trench segment from the Ypres section of the front. It will show again sat 9/5 at 1300.
A very interesting mix of history and archeology. |
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| NeilBurns | 26th & 77th Underperformed? | 5 | Aug 29 2009, 4:23 PM EDT by soldiersmail | ||||
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Thread started: May 24 2008, 8:05 PM EDT
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Strange choices for comparison the 26th:
saw 193 days in the line (148 Quiet/45 active 2nd Overall in the AEF) advanced 34 kilometers (8th overall in the AEF) Suffered 13,460 men killed and wounded (6th overall) Captured 3,148 Germans (6th overall) 77th: saw 113 days of combat (47 Quiet/66 active 5th Overall) Advanced 71.5 Kilometers (1st Overall in the AEF) Suffered 10,497 killed and wounded (9th overall) Captured 750 Germans (22nd overall) I'm not trying to take away from the 1st or 2nd, nor am I trying to question the author's conclusions, but there were certainly other National Guard and National Army units who performed much worse than the 26th or 77th. Just for the record, I have no relatives who served with either the 26th or 77th! Best regards, Neil
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| caratunk | 26th Division Discussions | 2 | Aug 22 2009, 12:42 PM EDT by soldiersmail | ||||
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Thread started: Jul 16 2008, 1:04 PM EDT
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Anyone interested in discussing topics specific to the 26th Yankee Division? I'm new to this site, an amature unaffiliated WW1 history buff hopelessy fixated on the 26th Division. Lots to share, always lots to discover. I'll start with a question - has anyone ever connected the story of "Scotty" of WW1 fame to a brass plaque on a boulder in Massachusetts?
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| pcora | Fall WWI History Seminar - Save the Date | 0 | Aug 16 2009, 7:19 AM EDT by pcora | ||||
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Thread started: Aug 16 2009, 7:19 AM EDT
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The WFA East Coast Chapter will hold its Fall 2009 Seminar on Saturday November 7 at the Maryland War Memorial Building in Baltimore. Presentations will include The Battle of Antwerp, The German 42cm howitzer, and New Jersey Aviators over the Italian and Western Fronts. More speakers will be added over the coming weeks. The seminar will also include displays, door prizes, and a chapter sponsored WWI used book sale.
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| jmgallen | Winston Churchill | 2 | Jul 12 2009, 5:16 PM EDT by jbeigie | ||||
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Thread started: Apr 1 2009, 9:03 PM EDT
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On April 15 I will be teaching a continuing education class on Winston Churchill. Does anyone have any suggestions of ideas to include about him, particularly about his WWI involvement?
Jim Gallen
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