#sundayflashback

[waldopeircegoestowar]

October 22 1917 - Oatmeal with milk and sugar for breakfast---the first for a long time. We got our gas masks this morning and tested them in a room filled with chlorine gas.

American ambulance driver in the Meuse region, France - Record of S.S.U 585 - 1917-1919 - Photo: Fall 1917, France, American drivers trying on their gas-masks - BnF

[waldopeircegoestowar]

‘We are billeted in different places in the damaged town, and in the brick-fields near by. Our dressing station is in an old school-house not far from the Cathedral. Albert must have been a pleasant town in pre-war days, but now the people have deserted it and every building are shattered or damaged by shells. From the spire of the Cathedral hung at right angles the beautiful bronze image of the Blessed Virgin, holding up her child above her head for the adoration of the world. It seems to me that the strange position of the statue is somewhat appropriate, because, as the battalions march past the church, it looks as if they are receiving a parting benediction from the Infant Savior.’

The Great War as I saw It – Photo, September 1917, Albert, Somme, France, the cathedral exactly as described in this entry.

[waldopeircegoestowar]

‘Sunny weather made life pleasant today and we were able to enjoy sea-bathing and walks along the sand dunes. Our ambulance service is in Dunkirk and the surrounding towns, but part of the Section has moved to a small village in the midst of the dunes near the sea, between the ruined city of Nieuport and La Panne, the residence of the Belgian King and Queen, where we work among the Zouaves and the Fusiliers Marins’

WW1 American ambulance driver’s diary – History of the American Field Service in France – Photo: October 1 1917, on the beach, in Malo les Bains, Dunkirk sector, France. BnF-Gallica

[waldopeircegoestowar]

‘Sunday, October 14, 1917. Few men attend mass at church near by. In afternoon,  pilgrimage to Domremy to visit Jeanne d'Arc's home. Men report country there as beautiful. Bunch also hikes to camp at Gondrecourt.’

Log for American ambulance section stationed in the Meuse, France – Photo: Fall 1917, France – Fall 1917, France, American soldiers attending a Sunday service. Record of S.S.U 585 - 1917-1919

[waldopeircegoestowar]

                                                                      Dead tired.

‘October 1, 1917 -- It was a long trip, dusty and nerve-racking but we could see clearly as the full moon gave us a mellow light even through the mist. We got home at 3. A.M. and when we pulled the car into place even the car complained of its long trip as a grinding squeak was audible in one of the cylinder heads

I was dead tired but I couldn’t resist reading your letters Ma. After I read them I climbed into bed some tired.

This morning, I didn’t wake up till 8 as I was still tired and cold from last night.’

American ambulance/truck driver’s diary in Aisne, France – Text and Photo ‘sleeping soundly -- the drivers’ quarters’  Dartmouth

[waldopeircegoestowar]

“The Champs Elysées was brilliant with life and color this Sunday afternoon. The sidewalks were crowded with officers and beautiful women, not wearing the usual colors of peace-time but black, and all the tints of the rainbow for the soldiers. There is nothing stiff about them, but a certain soldierly, dignity, sternness and unflinching devotion in time of peril”

Paris, spring 1917 - American ambulance driver’s diary - History of the American Fiedl Service in France. Photo: WW1, Paris - Le Figaro, Centenaire 14-18

[waldopeircegoestowar]

                                                         This war would be extremely drear                                                                        Had we not begun

                                                                  To view the events here                                                             Transfigured by our sense of fun.

                                                                We pray that this philosophy

                                                                 Continues as it was begun,                                                             And thank whatever gods may be

                                                               For giving us our sense of fun!

WW1 American ambulance driver’s verses - En repos and elsewhere over there; verses written in France 1917-1918 - Photo: Spring 1917 - American ambulance drivers being goofy.

[waldopeircegoestowar]

                                                  Tonight, One Hour Will Be Ripped Away

100 years ago The Excelcior front page -  At the bottom of the page the child-like comment:  “The poilu on leave will have one less hour of leave” - History of Daylight Saving Time.