Memorial Day 2005

Congratulations are in order to our contributor Sidney Clark of the U.K. After spotting several markers of Americans in Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries, his curiosity was aroused about just how many Yanks were resting in the Commission's many plots. They responded to his inquiry with some astounding information. Over 2,800 American citizens, residents or individuals who list closest relatives in the States have been identified. Most had volunteered for service with British and Commonwealth forces before America's entry. A sub-listing of 49 members of the AEF and American volunteers was also identified. Both listings include extensive information about the individual's unit, home town, family contacts and burial location. Furthermore, Sidney was able to acquire computer files of both groups. We are developing a plan for sending this material to various depositories for researchers. To our knowledge, this list never existed before he requested it. If you have suggestions as to who might benefit from receiving these listings please contact us (link).

This Month's Special Feature Shell Shock

• 1917 Text on Shell Shock
  
  
• Shell Shock from the BBC
  
  
• Reevaluating Society's Perception of Shell Shock
  
  
• New Research on PTSD
  
  
• Stress and Combat Performance
  
  

Peter Casserly, Digger

No longer can any Australian tell you with the authority of personal experience about the worst killing fields Australians have known - the slaughter yards of the western front in WWI. Peter Casserly, aged 107 who died in Perth recently was the last Australian survivor of that carnage. "I had lots of good mates but they're all gone," Mr Casserly, the last Digger to see action in France, told an interviewer last year. Mr Casserly, who transported troops and ammunition at Ypres, Armentieres and Amiens, can never shake the memory of carting young soldiers off to certain death. "They had no idea of how terrible it was," he said. (link)

Winston Churchill

Memorable Event July 9, 1915 German Forces Surrender In Southwest Africa Click on Image for More Information

Two good friends of students of the First World War retired this past month. Both are successful authors, editors and educators who have done much to encourage study of the events of 1914-18. John Votaw is now the Executive Director Emeritus of the institution he headed for 19 years after his army career: Cantigny - The First Division Foundation at Wheaton, Illinois. His plans are to teach a bit at Dominican University in River Forest, IL; to write a bit-he is now working on a volume on commanding the 1st Division in WWI; to lead an occasional tour to the battlefields and to relax a bit with his family.

Robert Doughty, recently Chairman of the History Department at the US Military Academy, retired from the Army as a Brigadier General at the end of June after 40 years of service. At this time he is considering following his recently published book on French Strategy and Tactics in the Great War with a "prequel" about France and the origins of the war.

Besides offering a Thank-you, Well Done, on behalf of the "WWI Community" to these gentlemen, I want to add a personal note here as well. Both John and Bob have helped me with my various projects including events, articles and our websites. I deeply appreciate their support over the years, and on behalf of all of us, wish them the best in the next phase of their lives.

John Votaw's The American Expeditionary Forces In World War I can be ordered (here.)

Robert Doughty's Pyrrhic Victory : French Strategy and Operations in the Great War can be ordered (here.)

Warning! Do Not Bite Without Dunking First!

The Anzac biscuit or cookie, particularly good for dunking, was popularized by World War I care packages to overseas soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. IMHO it owes its extraordinary yumminess to its coconut and maple syrup ingredients. Baked without hard-to-come-by eggs, when packed in airtight tins, an ANZAC biscuit was as good at the end of a two-month sea voyage to Europe as it was when the ship departed.

This treat can be purchased today. Some supermarket chains are starting to carry it or, if you live near a VFW post, you may be able to order a package through them. You might want to make your own: (recipe)

GREAT WAR 2005 EVENT CALENDAR

The Gentler Sex? Responses of the Women's Movement To the First World War University of London September 8-9, 2005 (link)

WFA-USA 16th Annual National Seminar Virginia Military Museum [Full Program Now] Newport News, Virginia September 23-25, 2005 (link)

WFA-USA 16th Annual National Seminar Virginia Military Museum [Full Program Now] Newport News, Virginia September 23-25, 2005 (link)

Uncovering the First World War International Society for First World War Studies Trinity College, Univ. of Dublin September 23-25, 2005 (link)

The Red Cross at War Great War Society Event Armistice-Remembrance-Veterans Day Sonoma, CaliforniaNovember 12, 2005 (email for info)

1915 - Innocence Slaughtered? In Flanders Fields Museum Ypres, Belgium November 17-19, 2005 (program)

Send additions/corrections: Email Response

Post Your World War I Stumper Here

1. David Gossens in Belgium is curious about the unit patch painted on this helmet. If you recognize it please contact David directly (email)

2. Dr. Kimloan Hill at the University of California at San Diego is researching Vietnamese [Annamites] in World War I for a documentary. She is searching for more information, stories, photos about these Vietnamese and especially wants to explore their encounter with the Americans in depth. Please contact her with any information you may have (email)

Our Family's Gold Star Pilgrimage Part II: Gold Star Visit Contributed by Kathy Compagno

Rosa Heidler Lorenz, the gold star mother in this story, is my great grandmother; the source is an excerpt from my own personal story about her life, based on documents carefully saved by her daughters Luella and Josephine. Her son Joseph fought with the 42nd Rainbow Division, was wounded at the River Ourcq, and died at a base hospital in France.

The ship America docked at Cherbourg, France, on Friday, 16 May 1930; a welcoming committee stood at the pier waving flags of the allies, while tenders ferried ashore the first contingent of mothers and widows ("Smiles, all smiles!). French gold star mothers and widows welcomed their American counterparts. The pilgrims then boarded the boat train to Paris ("On to Paris! While French war mothers cheered and navy men stood around"), where Rosa stayed at the Hôtel D'Iéna, located near the Trocadero one block from the Seine. She wrote a letter home in German script and language, which was translated by her daughter Luella,

"18 May 1930; Liebsten Kinder, Dearest children, Just a few lines to let you know I arrived well. It was about 10 o'clock Friday evening and by the time we were in our rooms and had a few things unpacked, it was one o'clock before we got to bed. Yesterday morning we all met in the sitting room where they told us everything we were going to do. In the afternoon we visited the grave of the Unknown Soldier and from there to the hotel for tea. There were a few higher ups there and they spoke until we returned to the hotel. It was already 6 pm.

Joseph Lorenz

"Now it is between 7 and 8 pm. This morning we went to church and in the afternoon to the Cemetery Suresnes, where Joe is buried. It is a beautiful cemetery. But that was a little too much for one day, for I've had a headache since I came home. I will not write much more as we are sailing again on the 29th and when I come I will be able to tell you all much better. "Mit besten grüßen und küßen, With best wishes and kisses, from your Mother"

Rosa was given a TIME TABLE AND ITINERARY, SURESNES CEMETERY PARTY "A" GROUP No.6, from Saturday, May 17, through Wednesday, May 29. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were specified for each day, often at the hotel, other times at Belle Cycliste Restaurant Suresnes. Sightseeing trips included Versailles Palace (Rosa noted Schloß, castle, in the margin), Napoleon's Tomb (where they saw 'some of the big guns captured from the enemy during the World War'), Chateau Fontainebleau (with lunch at Hotel Logris), the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and Sacré Coeur. Rosa saved the map and booklet from her Visite de Paris en Autocar, le guide officiel des autobus, tramways, bateaux. Ironically, the guide was written in French, English, and also the German language. Transportation was provided by 'autocar' or 'autobusses', and church services of their choice were offered to the mothers on both Sundays. Rosa probably chose to attend services at Saint-Joseph's English Catholic Church, where,

"The Very Reverend Gabriel MacDarby, rector, arranged a special service for 30 mothers who attended the church. Hymns were sung in English instead of Latin. American and French flags decorated the altar. Father MacDarby chose for his text, 'Weep but a little for the dead, for they are at rest.' "

Their first day began with an introductory conference with the 'Conducting Officer'; after lunch, the ladies attended a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe with a tea reception afterwards at Restaurant Laurant. Sunday afternoon was their first visit to the various cemeteries, where 'a wreath of fresh flowers [was] given to each Pilgrim immediately upon arrival'. Over the next two weeks, Rosa returned to 'the consecrated ground' at Suresnes Cemetery for seven more visits.

Friday May 23 must have been an especially emotional day for Rosa; she visited the battlefields at Chateau Thierry and Belleau Woods, where her son Joseph had fought and been dreadfully wounded. It was a long day, with breakfast at 7 am, departure at 9 am, and dinner at 7 pm upon their return. Refreshments were offered in the morning and afternoon at Hotel de la Terrasso 'on the banks of the Marne River', while they had lunch at Chateau Thierry's Hotellerie du Bonhomme. The afternoon included visits to Aisne-Marne Cemetery at Belleau. Sadly, Rosa penciled a note on her itinerary, 'ich >>> Tod >>> Sohn', the death of my son. One newspaper had a photo of another group visiting Verdun, with the caption, "Some of their sons lost their lives near this famous 'bayonet trench' at Verdun, so these American Gold Star mothers are picking flowers from the soil that once was damp with blood of heroes." A cluster of faded green clover leaves was found amongst Rosa's souvenirs from her pilgrimage.

French and American newspaper articles followed every step of the pilgrimage. The family saved articles about the journey from Chicago, New York, Dayton and Parisian newspapers. "MOTHER LOVE: Before visiting graves of sons in France, first contingent of American Gold Star mothers laid wreaths on tomb of France's unknown soldier at Arc de Triomphe." Several tell about Rosa's visit to the cemetery at Suresnes, and many included her photograph. She was amongst a group pictured on the front page of the Parisian Excelsior,

Our Rosa shared the front page with General John J. Pershing, who paid his respects at nearby Belleau Wood Cemetery that same day. Another photo (by Pacific and Atlantic Photo) of our Rosa Lorenz captured the poignancy of this pilgrimage and the attention of many newspapers. We see Rosa kneeling by her son's white cross at Suresnes, with her face hidden behind her hands. Rows of other crosses are seen in the background; her wreath of spring flowers decorates Joe's grave. New York's 'picture newspaper', Daily News, used Rosa's photograph on the front page for Wednesday, 28 May 1930; the caption said,

"Alone among the crosses, her knees bent before the plain white marker that stands above the grave of her hero son, Joseph Lorenz, a private in the 42nd Division, his mother weeps. . . and wonders. . . and prays. Time is short. She must go. But her wreath will guard her son."

Dayton Daily News eloquently described their first view of the cemetery,
"On and on the crosses stretch. . . all white and clean. . . all of them alike in looks. . .all of them alike in their message. At her journey's destination, [each mother] comes to her son's grave in the Suresnes Cemetery just outside of gay Paris where the boys of the A.E.F. were wont to get a few snatches of pleasure 'mid the horrors of war."

The European edition of the New York Tribune continued the story,

Sixteen Gold Star Mothers Lay Wreaths On Graves Of Sons In Suresnes Cemetery

"Every one of the 1,534 white marble crosses which stand overlooking Suresnes was scrubbed and polished and glistening white for the first visit of the Gold Star Mothers who have been sent by the government to see their loved one's graves. Yesterday was one of the proudest moments in the eight years' service which James A. Duncan, superintendent of the Suresnes American Military Cemetery, has devoted to the care of the graves.

"Seventeen wreaths of roses, carnations and asters, tied with bits of red, white and blue ribbon, were spread on the lawn beneath the flag, awaiting the mothers as they came up the steps and through the gate. Captain W. A. Dalton explained that the wreaths were a gift from the government so that every mother would have the same decorations for her son's grave. They chose the ones they wished and with a silent attendant were taken along the rows of white crosses and left alone before the graves of their sons. . . Their tears were more of consolation than of grief. One mother said, "It is such a comfort to know that he rests in such a beautiful place. I've seen it many times in moving pictures and have stayed to see the reels twice, but I didn't realize it was so beautiful with these hawthorne trees, catalpa, judas and laburnum shrubs. I'm so grateful to these dear men who take such good care of the graves. . . I am more than consoled to find the cemetery so lovely with its clean, smooth lawns and trees. I thought they still had wooden crosses. It is all so much nicer than I expected to find it."

"They also placed wreaths on the six graves with crosses whose inscriptions are, "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier unknown but to God." The mothers rested a few minutes in the reception room, were told some of the history of the cemetery and signed the guest book before departing. They will revisit the cemetery today and make daily trips to Suresnes during their stay in France."

Liberty Magazine published a five-page article about the pilgrimage in the 19 July 1930 issue, titled "Mothers Remember; an Account of the Gold Star Pilgrimage to American Cemeteries in France". Once again, our Rosa's photo at Joe's grave in Suresnes graced the story. Her daughter Luella was amazed; "Was surprised to see Mom's picture and alone! kneeling at Joe's grave, as she was never one to push herself into the limelight." The author, Grace Robinson, sailed on the America with Rosa and the first group of pilgrims.

We have a professional black and white photograph of Rosa solemnly standing by her son's grave; her hand rests protectively on his cross.

JOSEPH LORENZ
PVT. 1 CL, 150 M. G. BATT'N, 42 DIV.
WISCONSIN      NOV. 21, 1918

On Thursday, May 29, Rosa took the 'boat train' to Cherbourg, and returned to New York City in Cabin C-11 on the United States liner President Harding. Her scrapbook preserved a SOUVENIR LOG, Capt. J. L. Beebe, Commander, U.S.N.R. Distance traveled from Cherbourg Breakwater to Ambrose Channel Lightvessel was 3162 miles, with a passage of 7 Days, 10 Hours, 20 Minutes averaging 17.7 Knots in speed. Joined by her daughter Josephine, Rosa stayed a few weeks with Luella in New York City before continuing on to Dayton. Rosa was interviewed "at the Brooklyn home of her married daughter, Mrs. Alfred Oelridge [sic]," by the New York World for publication in The Dayton Daily News, as the "first of the Dayton contingent to return to these shores",

Dayton War Mother Finds Joy and Sorrow in France

"A cheery little lady of just past middle age who came to this country from Austria only to raise a son who was called upon to fight for her fatherland, Mrs. Lorenz said today that her pilgrimage was one of mingled 'joy and sorrow.' But in spite of the solemnity of visiting her boy's grave, she now has the satisfaction of having seen the places where he fought valiantly, died and was buried. And she is exceedingly grateful to the government for having given her the opportunity and for the care with which the government keeps up our cemeteries in France.

"Mrs. Lorenz said that the officials of both the United States and French governments had done everything within their power to make the Gold Star Pilgrimage a happy one. She was particularly impressed with the ovation given the group when it arrived on French soil at Cherbourg after a pleasant ocean crossing of ten days. Bands, cheers and speeches greeted them as they disembarked from the tender. Given official courtesy, they were sped through the usually rigorous French customs inspection and started immediately for Paris, where they spent most of the following two weeks.

"In Paris the group was divided into smaller groups, according to the cemeteries which each was to visit. Mrs. Lorenz and 18 others were guests at Hotel D'Iena. The group made almost daily visits to Suresnes, where the government furnished wreaths and fresh flowers for each mother and widow to put on the grave of her son or husband as the case might be. Suresnes, Mrs. Lorenz said, was kept in beautiful condition by a large crew of caretakers. Countless rows of marble stones, marking the graves beneath, rise from level turf so well kept as to look like green velvet. A beautiful stone chapel is just being completed.

"When the groups were not at the cemeteries, they were taken about Paris and the battlefields on sightseeing tours in huge buses. Mrs. Lorenz visited Chateau Thierry and Belleau Woods [Rosa told the interviewer that her Joe was wounded in action in Belleau Woods on 2 August 1918], and the trenches and dugouts still intact in these places, made her realize vividly what her son had been through.

Suresnes Cemetery Where Joseph Rests Today

"In Paris she attended ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Cathedral of Sacre Couer. She also visited Notre Dame, Versailles, the Louvre, and Napoleon's Tomb. At many teas and luncheons, the group was fêted by high French and American officials, including General Pershing.

"Although in the center of things and styles feminine, Mrs. Lorenz said she spent very little time in actual shopping, although she smilingly admitted accompanying several others on their buying expeditions in the French shops.

"I am glad to be home again," she said in conclusion. "It has been a wonderful trip. I am feeling fine and I made many friends among the other Gold Star mothers. I am sorry that I had no opportunity to visit my old home in Austria, but time was too short. And I want to emphasize my appreciation of the courtesy and hospitality that was shown to all of us everywhere we went."

After several weeks visiting Luella in New York City, Rosa and Josephine returned to Dayton. Rosa remained active with the Gold Star mothers, and kept in touch with those she had met on her Pilgrimage, saving one of their Christmas Greetings,

"My dear little Mrs. Lorentz, Your Christmas card with its kindly wish and greeting reached me to day. It did me so much good to hear from you who shared our cabin both going and coming when on our wonderful trip across. The year 1930 was good to us and we shall never forget it. . . You were always so jolly and full of fun during both voyages, it helped [me] a lot. Especially on return voyage. I never eat soup but think of the evening on the President Harding that you began to tell us what good soup you had-- the result you no doubt remember. [If only we knew the story!!] Our 'Sun bonnet woman' Mrs. Mattox only lived two weeks after she returned from France. How did she make that trip when in such a state health. Should you ever get to Newark please come and see me. . .

Your friend of the Pilgrimage,

Mary E. Swingle"

Kathy Compagno is the sister-in-law of Great War Society President Sal Compagno.