We are packed and ready to go. I am glad that we are not flying out of Erie until about 5 p.m. That gives us several hours to make certain we have everything we need. I have been reading so many books in preparation for this trip as well as my writing. I am glad that Tim has been able to study the details of our travel. I think he knows where every Starbucks is in Paris.
I just finished reading the chapter on 1915 in Elizabeth Greenhalgh's The French Army and the First World War--there is a paragraph attributed to Abel Ferry, deputy for the Vosges and a sub-lieutenant in 166 RI.
In a letter dated 21 May 1915, Ferry wrote, "A sinister, almost vertical, slope descends into the valley of'death.' Not a single tree that a shell has not cut; as spring grows greener, the ground in Les Eparges is of volcanic sterility. The plain is green; The Meuse heights are green, but [here] the ground is black and turned over, craters everywhere, enormous holes big enough to bury a whole squad...the trenches are constructed of..." (pp.84-85)
I don't continue because some readers may balk, but the truth is horrifying. I feel this journey is going to get me closer to Archie's experience. I hope that I am ready.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Friday, August 7, 2015
OFF TO FRANCE!
Because
of the encouragement of the wonderful writing group that I belong to
and my desire to truly honor my grand uncle Archie, I have decided to
travel to France next Thursday to take a World War I Centennial Tour
with Michael Hanlon and Valor Tours, Ltd.
Sunday, August 16, 2015 / Reims, France:
The Failure of the War Plans; Trench Warfare Begins; the Chemin des Dames & Reims Sector
Battle of the Champagne; The Argonne Forest
The French Battles of St. Mihiel
The American Battles of St. Mihiel
Meuse Argonne Offensive, Crossing the Meuse; & Verdun
Final Victory, Last Phase of Meuse Argonne
The AEF Defends the Marne & Goes on the Offensive
Depart for Erie
Michael
Hanlon is the driving force behind www.worldwar1.com,
an extraordinary website with phenomenal resources for my work. I
subscribe to the daily blog, “Roads to the Great War,” which
helps me gain an understanding of the events of 1914 to 1918. I have
purchased books recommended by the site too.
According
to trip documents I just received, the following will be our
itinerary:
Friday,
August 14, 2015 / Paris, France:
Arrival
in Paris
Saturday,
August 15, 2015:
Tour
Paris on our own—Welcome Dinner at 7 p.m.Sunday, August 16, 2015 / Reims, France:
The Failure of the War Plans; Trench Warfare Begins; the Chemin des Dames & Reims Sector
- The Race to the Sea Begins
- Chemin des Dames Battlefields
- Caverne du Dragon
- Four Siege of Reims
- Fort de la Pompelle
- Reims/Hotel
Battle of the Champagne; The Argonne Forest
- Reims Cathedral, Great War Veteran
- Champagne Battlefields
- Russians on the Western Front
- Navarin Farm, French & US Rainbow Division Battlefield
- Blanc Mont: Forgotten AEF Victory
- Harlem Hellfighters Memorial
- La Main de Massiges
- Butte de Vauquois
- Drive to Verdun
The French Battles of St. Mihiel
- Forts of Mihiel—Troyon, Camp des Romains, Liouville
- Bois d'Ailly & Trench of Thirst
- Marbotte Memorial Church
- 1915 Sacrifice at Flirey
- U.S. 1st Division Gas Attack
- Mont Sec: German Outpost/American Memorial
- German Infrastructure
- Alain-Fournier Memorial
- Eparges Spur
The American Battles of St. Mihiel
- 4th Division of Manhuelles
- 26th Division at Tranchee de Calonne
- Salient Cut at Vignuelles
- 1st Division Leads the Assault
- Yanks in the Trenches at Bois Brule
- George Patton Commands the First American Tank Attack
- 5th Division in both World Wars
- 90th Division, Advance & The Valley of Death
- Thiacourt, American St. Mihiel Cemetery
Thursday,
August 20, 2015 / Verdun, France
The
Meuse Argonne Offensive, Opening Moves
- The Challenge of Monfacon; U.S. Memorial
- Missouri & Pennsylvania Memorials
- The Lost Battalion
- Sgt. York's Medal of Honor Site
- 1st Division in the Argonne
- Sam Woodfill Medal of Honor Site
- Breaking Kriemhilde Stellung
Meuse Argonne Offensive, Crossing the Meuse; & Verdun
- Mort Homme
- Fighting on the Right of the Meuse33rd Division Crossing29th Division October Fight
- Henry Gunther, 79th Division, Last to Fall in Combat in WWI
- Frontline at Verdun
- 1916 Verdun Battlefield
- Andre Magnot Memorial
- Faubort Pave National Cemetery
Final Victory, Last Phase of Meuse Argonne
- U.S. Meuse Argonne Cemetery
- 90th Division Jump Off
- 5th Division Crosses the Meuse
- Frank Luke Crash Site
- 90th Division at Baalon
- 89th Division Armistice Site
- U.S. Vth Corps Heads for Sedan
- Pt. Magus
- Buzancy, Crossroads of the Argonne
- I Corps Final Major Battle
- Roland Garros Burial
The AEF Defends the Marne & Goes on the Offensive
- Quentin Roosevelt Crash Site
- U.S. Oise-Aisne Cemetery
- Rainbow Division Sites
- Hill 184 and Seringes et Nesles
- Croix Rouge Farm Memorial
- 3rd Division Sites
- Le Charmel & Jaulgonne
- Rock of the Marne
- Chateau Thierry
- Town Square
- U.S. Memorial
- Belleau Wood
- 1st Division at Soissons
- Departure Dinner
Depart for Erie
Saturday, June 28, 2014
ASSASSINATION OF ARCHDUKE FERDINAND -- 100th Anniversary
Today is the 100th anniversary of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austro-Hungary, by Serbian Gavrilo Principe. Many say this act triggered events that lead to the beginning of the "Great War."
According
to Ishaan Tharoor in the Washington Post, article entitled “The
assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the drumbeats of war” today, June
28, 2014, “What happened next, as Winston Churchill put it, was a ‘drama never surpassed.’ Ferdinand's death
presented leading statesmen in Europe's great powers both a crisis and an
opportunity and led to a dizzying series of diplomatic maneuvers, secret
negotiations and political escalations that underlay the explosive opening of
World War I. A web of alliances between Europe's competing empires -- a 'concert' -- led to Russia coming in on the side of the
Serbs, Germany countering Russia, and Britain, France and the waning Ottoman
Empire also entering the fray.”
For
the past several weeks I have restarted my effort to learn the history of World
War I so that I can write the story of Private Russell Archie Harvey, my grand
uncle. Thursday, September 15, 2011
History Lesson
I transcribed another letter last night, one that Archie wrote from Camp Dodge on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1918. What a good son he is as he writes to his mother, mentioning that “Today is what they call ‘Mother’s day' and everyone is asked to write to their mother today if they have any mother.” He said he was going to write anyway. Archie mentions Liberty Bonds and a $10,000 life insurance policy that he has made out to his mother. It seems that his unit experienced another round of inoculations. Archie says their arms were so sore that some avoided the officers so they did not have to salute. Research shows that he probably was getting vaccine for small pox, typhoid, and perhaps tetanus antitoxin and diphtheria antitoxin.
This journey will certainly be a history lesson for me.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
SUMMER MUSINGS
September 8, 2011
I have begun copying, scanning, and transcribing all the letters.
So far, I have finished 4 letters. The first letter (to his sister in North Carolina, dated May 6, 1917) was about Archie in Des Moines, Iowa and how he went to be examined by the army, that he did not want to be drafted. Ironically, he was exempt from the draft “on account of my teeth” and a rupture. Ultimately he served in the U.S. Army, so we begin the mysteries.
The second letter, dated July 10, 1917, describes Archie’s work in Guernsey, Iowa. He was working as a farmhand and helped cultivate corn, “sixty five acres over there times and thirty five acres for another man.” He mentions going to a dentist in Victor, Iowa. Another man had a toothache and Archie “had some roots pulled.” I need to research dentists in 1917! Also, it seems that now Carnforth, Iowa and Victor, Iowa are the same city. More research! Archie also mentions his brother in law, Earl H. Beardsley, who also served in the Great War, Co. E, 37th Engineers, American Expeditionary Forces.
The third letter, sent to his mother and dated April 29, 1918, addresses his arrival at Camp Dodge, Iowa. He mentions the Hotel Randolph in Des Moines. I researched this hotel and it still stands and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Archie mentions how good and plenty the food was at his first meal at Camp Dodge.
The fourth letter, dated May 5, 1917, is on Army and Navy Young Men’s Christian Association stationery, but was really written May 5, 1918. He writes about “examination vaccination and innouculation.” He further states that Camp Dodge “is said to be one of the best camps in the country as the men are fed and treated better here than in most camps.” It is noteworthy that Archie mentions he is one of the few who does not use tobacco. He also writes of the drilling. Camp Dodge is still a military installation and serves as the headquarters of the Iowa National Guard.
This work is going to be very interesting, but difficult. So far I have a lot more questions than answers. I am excited to really work on this project. I want to honor my Granduncle Archie Harvey and his service to his country.
I have begun copying, scanning, and transcribing all the letters.
So far, I have finished 4 letters. The first letter (to his sister in North Carolina, dated May 6, 1917) was about Archie in Des Moines, Iowa and how he went to be examined by the army, that he did not want to be drafted. Ironically, he was exempt from the draft “on account of my teeth” and a rupture. Ultimately he served in the U.S. Army, so we begin the mysteries.
The second letter, dated July 10, 1917, describes Archie’s work in Guernsey, Iowa. He was working as a farmhand and helped cultivate corn, “sixty five acres over there times and thirty five acres for another man.” He mentions going to a dentist in Victor, Iowa. Another man had a toothache and Archie “had some roots pulled.” I need to research dentists in 1917! Also, it seems that now Carnforth, Iowa and Victor, Iowa are the same city. More research! Archie also mentions his brother in law, Earl H. Beardsley, who also served in the Great War, Co. E, 37th Engineers, American Expeditionary Forces.
The third letter, sent to his mother and dated April 29, 1918, addresses his arrival at Camp Dodge, Iowa. He mentions the Hotel Randolph in Des Moines. I researched this hotel and it still stands and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Archie mentions how good and plenty the food was at his first meal at Camp Dodge.
The fourth letter, dated May 5, 1917, is on Army and Navy Young Men’s Christian Association stationery, but was really written May 5, 1918. He writes about “examination vaccination and innouculation.” He further states that Camp Dodge “is said to be one of the best camps in the country as the men are fed and treated better here than in most camps.” It is noteworthy that Archie mentions he is one of the few who does not use tobacco. He also writes of the drilling. Camp Dodge is still a military installation and serves as the headquarters of the Iowa National Guard.
This work is going to be very interesting, but difficult. So far I have a lot more questions than answers. I am excited to really work on this project. I want to honor my Granduncle Archie Harvey and his service to his country.
Friday, June 10, 2011
REFLECTION ABOUT A FOREWORD BY SENATOR BOB DOLE
I am reading Jack H. Lucas' book, Indestructible, The Unforgettable Story of a Marine Hero at the Battle of Iwo Jima. The Foreword was written by Senator Bob Dole. I particularly want to note the following because the wording struck me in relation to Archie's war experience:
"Jack (Lucas) and I know the horror of feeling life draining from our bodies as we lay on the field of battle, trapped in a dull haze and comforted only by morphine. We are given only one body, and when it is broken in service to others, we have given a most precious gift. Jack and I would learn to write left-handed, athletics would forever be out of the question, and our internal injuries would require a lifetime of attention. We were fortunate; at least we would have a lifetime.
“Jack and I have looked over the edge into the darkness that is death and survived to tell of the ghastliness that is war. War is not glamorous. It is ugly business and no one escapes its effects. It can’t be explained adequately to someone who has never been there.
“Men are never closer than when they are under fire together. In World War II, we were all brothers on the battlefield. As survivors, we are left to remember those who paid the ultimate price. They too are our brothers, a relationship born in battle, baptized in blood, and immortal in spirit. We honor their memory.
“From all walks of life they came, from the mountains, prairies, cities, and farms, they joined to serve. Death gave no heed to the privilege of their birth. They laid down their lives for the cause of freedom and for their buddies in the foxhole with them.
“I have always felt that what gets people through a physical or emotional crisis is having a foundation of faith in God, believing that life matters and that there’s a bigger plan in play than what we can see with our human eyes. In my own memoirs I wrote [We] need one another to defend one another, to depend on one another. They say every soldier on the front saves every other soldier’s life and has his life saved by another soldier nearby.
“That’s the fighting man’s job. Jack did his job well and, like so many that have served their country, I am proud to call him my brother.”
Written by Senator Bob Dole in the Foreword in Indestructible, The Unforgettable Story of a Marine Hero at the Battle of Iwo Jima, written by Jack Lucas, DaCapo Press, 2007.
Archie Harvey died in 1924, six years after he returned from the Great War. I may never know exactly what he thought, but I can see him thinking in a parallel way. He talked about the Supreme Hand of God, he served in some of the worst battles of World War I, and he carried his seriously wounded officer off the field of battle. His letters were written to his mother from the trenches in France, Meuse Argonne and St. Mihiel.
I can see the connections…
"Jack (Lucas) and I know the horror of feeling life draining from our bodies as we lay on the field of battle, trapped in a dull haze and comforted only by morphine. We are given only one body, and when it is broken in service to others, we have given a most precious gift. Jack and I would learn to write left-handed, athletics would forever be out of the question, and our internal injuries would require a lifetime of attention. We were fortunate; at least we would have a lifetime.
“Jack and I have looked over the edge into the darkness that is death and survived to tell of the ghastliness that is war. War is not glamorous. It is ugly business and no one escapes its effects. It can’t be explained adequately to someone who has never been there.
“Men are never closer than when they are under fire together. In World War II, we were all brothers on the battlefield. As survivors, we are left to remember those who paid the ultimate price. They too are our brothers, a relationship born in battle, baptized in blood, and immortal in spirit. We honor their memory.
“From all walks of life they came, from the mountains, prairies, cities, and farms, they joined to serve. Death gave no heed to the privilege of their birth. They laid down their lives for the cause of freedom and for their buddies in the foxhole with them.
“I have always felt that what gets people through a physical or emotional crisis is having a foundation of faith in God, believing that life matters and that there’s a bigger plan in play than what we can see with our human eyes. In my own memoirs I wrote [We] need one another to defend one another, to depend on one another. They say every soldier on the front saves every other soldier’s life and has his life saved by another soldier nearby.
“That’s the fighting man’s job. Jack did his job well and, like so many that have served their country, I am proud to call him my brother.”
Written by Senator Bob Dole in the Foreword in Indestructible, The Unforgettable Story of a Marine Hero at the Battle of Iwo Jima, written by Jack Lucas, DaCapo Press, 2007.
Archie Harvey died in 1924, six years after he returned from the Great War. I may never know exactly what he thought, but I can see him thinking in a parallel way. He talked about the Supreme Hand of God, he served in some of the worst battles of World War I, and he carried his seriously wounded officer off the field of battle. His letters were written to his mother from the trenches in France, Meuse Argonne and St. Mihiel.
I can see the connections…
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Questions that can help me
I have been continuing my attempt to get organized. Now that my office space is organized, I have joined ancestry.com and find the information available very intriguing. I found these questions for my work on Archie Harvey. I will continue!!
QUESTIONS / World War I
•Which branch did he serve in? Did he enlist or was he drafted? How did he feel about the draft? Was he opposed to serving in the military or was he proud to serve his country?
•Describe basic training. Who was his commanding officer? Who were his peers? Where and for how long was he trained? What did he learn?
•Did he have trouble getting along with anyone in his unit? Why? What became of it? How did he deal with it?
•Did he have a nickname? What were the memorable nicknames of others?
•How did he feel about sharing his space with others? Did it feel cramped at first? Was it easy to get used to?
•What was his most vivid memory of this time? Specific people or places? A certain event?
•Did basic training build up or cut down his self-confidence? Why or why not? Did he feel as if he was well-prepared for his duties? Did it turn out that he was prepared?
•Was he especially skilled at one particular task? Did it become his "specialty"?
•Where was he stationed after basic training? What were the people and the surrounding areas like? How long was he there?
•How did he keep in touch with his friends and family back home during this time? Did he save any letters he might have written or received?
•Did he become close friends with any of those he fought with? Did they keep in touch in later years? Did he save any of their lives? Did they save his?
•Which battles did he fight in? Describe the time, place, number of participants, and what happened. How did these battles affect the war as a whole? What role did his unit play in this battle?
•World War I is often described as a war fought "in the trenches." Did he experience this type of fighting? Describe what this was like.
•World War I introduced many new things to warfare, including tanks, U-boats, poison gas, and aviation. Did he use any of these innovations during the war? What were his experiences?
•Was he injured in any way? Describe what happened. What went through his mind when he realized he was hurt?
•If he was injured, did he heal quickly or not? Did he return home because of the injury, or did he go back to fight? How did it change him in ways that he noticed years later?
•Did he ever need to take someone's life? Describe the experience and how it affected him both immediately and in the long term.
•An armistice was declared on November 11, 1918, after 10 million soldiers had been killed. Did he join in any victory celebrations? What was the mood of the soldiers?
•What did he think of Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points and his treaty making capabilities? Did he think that this was a peace that would last? What did he think of the League of Nations?
•Why did he leave the service? Honorable discharge? Injury? End of active duty? Describe the circumstances and how he felt about them.
•Was he able to return to "normal functioning"? Was it easy to put it all behind him and get on with his life, or did he have to struggle? What was hardest to adjust to once he returned?
•Was there someone or something that was helpful in getting him through this period of adjustment? Could he suggest anything helpful to someone going through a similar situation?
•After all was said and done, what did he learn from his experiences in the military? Why were these lessons valuable to him? How did they change him and his ideas or values?
•How would he be different if he had never had these experiences?
•What sort of memorabilia did he save from this time? What did it symbolize to him? What memories and feelings did it bring back after the war?
QUESTIONS / World War I
•Which branch did he serve in? Did he enlist or was he drafted? How did he feel about the draft? Was he opposed to serving in the military or was he proud to serve his country?
•Describe basic training. Who was his commanding officer? Who were his peers? Where and for how long was he trained? What did he learn?
•Did he have trouble getting along with anyone in his unit? Why? What became of it? How did he deal with it?
•Did he have a nickname? What were the memorable nicknames of others?
•How did he feel about sharing his space with others? Did it feel cramped at first? Was it easy to get used to?
•What was his most vivid memory of this time? Specific people or places? A certain event?
•Did basic training build up or cut down his self-confidence? Why or why not? Did he feel as if he was well-prepared for his duties? Did it turn out that he was prepared?
•Was he especially skilled at one particular task? Did it become his "specialty"?
•Where was he stationed after basic training? What were the people and the surrounding areas like? How long was he there?
•How did he keep in touch with his friends and family back home during this time? Did he save any letters he might have written or received?
•Did he become close friends with any of those he fought with? Did they keep in touch in later years? Did he save any of their lives? Did they save his?
•Which battles did he fight in? Describe the time, place, number of participants, and what happened. How did these battles affect the war as a whole? What role did his unit play in this battle?
•World War I is often described as a war fought "in the trenches." Did he experience this type of fighting? Describe what this was like.
•World War I introduced many new things to warfare, including tanks, U-boats, poison gas, and aviation. Did he use any of these innovations during the war? What were his experiences?
•Was he injured in any way? Describe what happened. What went through his mind when he realized he was hurt?
•If he was injured, did he heal quickly or not? Did he return home because of the injury, or did he go back to fight? How did it change him in ways that he noticed years later?
•Did he ever need to take someone's life? Describe the experience and how it affected him both immediately and in the long term.
•An armistice was declared on November 11, 1918, after 10 million soldiers had been killed. Did he join in any victory celebrations? What was the mood of the soldiers?
•What did he think of Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points and his treaty making capabilities? Did he think that this was a peace that would last? What did he think of the League of Nations?
•Why did he leave the service? Honorable discharge? Injury? End of active duty? Describe the circumstances and how he felt about them.
•Was he able to return to "normal functioning"? Was it easy to put it all behind him and get on with his life, or did he have to struggle? What was hardest to adjust to once he returned?
•Was there someone or something that was helpful in getting him through this period of adjustment? Could he suggest anything helpful to someone going through a similar situation?
•After all was said and done, what did he learn from his experiences in the military? Why were these lessons valuable to him? How did they change him and his ideas or values?
•How would he be different if he had never had these experiences?
•What sort of memorabilia did he save from this time? What did it symbolize to him? What memories and feelings did it bring back after the war?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)