The day after the Great War began, the French realized that Germany would take Belgium then proceed to take “Paris”. The French had no massive Army. So, on 29 July 1914, France issued a call for foreigners living in France to support their adopted country. This could be accomplished by enlisting to serve in the Army. Most volunteers wanted to serve in the regular French Army; however, it was the French Foreign Legion that was the option. One day, 3 August 1914, it was reported that 8,000 volunteers applied to enlist in the Paris office of the French Foreign Legion.
In 1912, a runaway, born in Columbus, Georgia stowed onto a German freighter headed for Hamburg. Eugene Jacques Bullard, then went to France for a boxing match and there he stayed. Bullard enlisted in the French Foreign Legion in the summer of 1914. As a member of the Legion he was seriously wounded and in 1916 was given recuperation leave in Paris. He further enlisted in the French flying service, the “Aeronautique Militaire”. Eugene J. Bullard is considered to be the first African-American military pilot. He was known as “the Black Swallow of Death” for his daring in battle. He never did fly for the United States.
Alan Seeger, an American Poet who fought and died in WW1 during the battle of the Somme, was serving in the French Foreign Legion. Seeger was the Uncle of American folk singer, Pete Seeger. His poem, “I Have a Rendezvous with Death” was a favorite of President, John F. Kennedy. “Ode in Memory of the American Volunteers Fallen for France” written by Alan Seeger, was read before the statue of Lafayette and Washington in Paris on Decoration Day, 30 May 1916 (Seeger was KIA 4 July 1916).
President Woodrow Wilson declared America in the World War with Germany on 6 April 1917. As the Germans continued to sink ships, some came too close for comfort. The US began sending munitions, supplies and food for British and French troops, including some citizens, to relieve the many pressures of battle.
On 10 May 1917, General John J. Pershing was named by President Wilson to lead the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. Pershing had recently led a US Army Corps against Poncho Villa. The agreement was that Pershing’s role in Europe be equal to that of the British and French officers. Thus, some American troops arrived in Europe in 1917; most solders would not arrive until 1918.
As the Dough Boys arrived in France the M1914 Hotchkiss machine gun had become the standard French heavy machine gun. The production of the Hotchkiss was in full swing when the American Expeditionary Force arrived in France.
Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss, born in Watertown, Connecticut was known in his lifetime to be the world’s best artillery engineer. He designed an air rifle that the Mexican government purchased. Hotchkiss later traveled to Paris where he invented the improved metallic cartridge. The gas operated machine gun was manufactured in his factories in France and was extensively used in WW1.
While England, France and their allies were battling in and through Belgium and Northern France, the Russians who earlier supported the French, were now attacking Prussia. The Germans were in Turkey with a mission of developing a partnership.
We have come a long way ---however? Facts to Ponder:
The handful of Americans, Australians, Canadians or Russians who came to Paris before 1914 did so for one of three reasons: they were rich, they were poor, or they had something to hide.
In August 1914, American novelist Edith Wharton visited the Alsace border with friends, while in France for the summer. She peeked over the mountain crest at the German batteries guarding it---after which, she explained “we retreated hurriedly and unpacked our luncheon basket on the more sheltered side of the ridge”.
By 26 October 1914, in Morocco, General Lyautey could report that thirty battalions, sixteen squadrons, eight mounted batteries and five companies of engineers from the French Corps of occupation in Morocco had been sent to France to fight.
John Greenway (Class 2002) was commissioned as a Brigadier General in the US Army Reserve for his highly decorated service on the front line in France during WW1. A founder of the American Legion, he also co-authored the Preamble to the American Legion Constitution.
|
Again, I encourage you to take the opportunity to visit the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame kiosk on the 1st floor. Photo left of Kathleen Laurier and Gerry Berger.
