Great War (1914-1918): The Society and Culture of the First World War discussion

Survivors

No doubt they’ll soon get well; the shock and strain
Have caused their stammering, disconnected talk.
Of course they’re “longing to go out again,”–
These boys with old, scared faces, learning to walk,
They’ll soon forget their haunted nights; their cowed
Subjection to the ghosts of friends who died,–
Their dreams that drip with murder; and they’ll be proud
Of glorious war that shatter’d all their pride….
Men who went to battle, grim and glad;
Children with eyes that hate you, broken and mad.

Siegfried Sassoon
Craiglockhart, October 1917

Thanks, Steelwhisper.

The other day I was cleaning up and found a book of WWI poetry - Up the Line to Death: The War Poets, 1914-1918 by Brian Gardner. It features some lesser known poets, among better known ones, too. I'd completely forgotten I had that book.

Thanks Jan, I'll have a look at it.

Great, I'll also put it on my 'to-read' list!
I was reading Siegfried Sassoon's 'War Poems' on Remembrance Day, which is also worth a read.
But I guess you 'll know that already :).

As we approach another Remembrance Day, I pause to reflect on the American contribution towards Allied victory in 1918.

Here's a book that some members may wish to read (i.e., if they haven't read it already) ~

The Last of the Doughboys: The Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten World War by Richard Rubin

This one just came in for me from the library - I'll get to it sometime this m month

for those interested the author was on CSPAN2's BookTV recently

http://www.booktv.org/Program/14760/q...

We are all aware of the 1918 Great War Armistice on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. I have found it very interesting that a historian, editor and publisher of major WWI newsletter, has been searching for whereabouts of the signed document for over 25 years. :-)

What? You mean no one knows where it is? I'd never thought about it, but certainly assumed it was in some well-known archives somewhere...

Several weeks ago, I watched on CSPAN'S BookTV a talk by Jeffrey T. Sammons about his new book "Harlem's Rattlers and the Great War: The Undaunted 369th Regiment and the African American Quest for Equality". The first American soldier to be awarded the Croix de Guerre - Henry Johnson -- served in this unit, which fought on the Western Front for 191 days in 1918, never lost a foot of ground, or had a man taken prisoner.

As the grandson of a First World War Army veteran who had served with the Services of Supply in France, this book is of special interest to me. So, I bought it and eagerly look forward to reading it.

With Remembrance Day/Armistice Day 10 days away, I cannot help but reflect on the sacrifices that were made during the First World War.

KOMET wrote: "Several weeks ago, I watched on CSPAN'S BookTV a talk by Jeffrey T. Sammons about his new book "[book:Harlem's Rattlers and the Great War: The Undaunted 369th Regiment and the Afri..."

I saw the same program and agree the book is interesting. Look forward to your comments and review.

Barbara wrote: "What? You mean no one knows where it is? I'd never thought about it, but certainly assumed it was in some well-known archives somewhere..."

Barbara, yes this is news to me too. The historian seems to have researched this. If true it’s another example of why WWI and history in general is so fascinating.

Following the signed agreement French General Foch is photographed standing beside allied representatives outside his rail car clutching an attaché case. It appears the mystery starts here.

KOMET wrote: "As the grandson of a First World War Army veteran who had served with the Services of Supply in France..."

One family book that was passed down to me is: “The American Army in France: 1917-1919” by U.S. Army Lt. General James G. Harbord.

Harbord distinguished himself in WWI first as General Pershing’s chief of staff. As a U.S. Army brigadier general he commanded the Marine 4th Brigade at Belleau Wood. He was promoted to major general and his final stint was head of the Services of Supply in France.

I’ve read Harbord's 632 page memoir. It’s rather dry, but very historical and because your grandfather served in France in the Services of Supply you ought to put it on your list. Credit goes to your grandfather.

The American Army in France: 1917-1919 by James G. Harbord