James Taub
@taubhistory
Associate Curator at the Museum of the American Revolution and a public historian. Focused on France and America during WWI and the 18th century. (All views my own)
Soldiers of the 171e RI, Blainville-sur-l'Eau, 21/6/1915. This letter was sent by Louis Albert d'Amato, one of the men photographed here. Louis was captured during the Battle of Verdun. By 17 May, 1918 he had fallen ill and was taken to a hospital in Bern, Switzerland. He died on there on 7/11/1918.
It's important to note that this battle was truly an allied coalition effort. Soldiers of many nations and backgrounds were working together over the course of several weeks to reduce the Marne salient and deprive the Germans of their Spring gains.
#Onthisday in 1918, the true black day of the German Army. While a lot of focus in the Anglophone world falls on Amiens and 8 August, the Allied offensives around Soissons and the Marne pocket in late July 1918 were the start of endless pressure that culminated on 11/11. #WWI #FWW #History #1GM
17 July, 1916. Sergent-Fourrier Adolphe François ROUCHY of the 92e régiment d'infanterie. #WWI #OnthisDay #OTD #FWW #1GM
Bucket list item checked off, listening to the band of the Chasseurs Alpins live.
American born soldiers from the British Colonies joining Irish Regiments in the French Army and being killed fighting the Dutch, British, and Austrians in Belgium. The 18th century is whack. I love it.
Tankiste of the 508e Régiment d’Artillerie d’Assaut, 2 October 1918. The groupments of the 508e used both Saint-Chamonds and Renault FT17s. Parts of the regiment were integrated with the American assault at the 2nd Battle of the Marne (1st Division), and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (79th Division).
Kansas City, MO, and KS all felt the need to show the world what their men had suffered during and after the fighting in 1918. Memorials to WWI dot the landscape like few other places in the US. There are always deeper meanings behind memorialization.
The accusations eventually made their way to full congressional hearings, as the Army and War Department defended their actions in the Argonne while criticizing the complaints of KS and MO politicians as well as their troops.
General Traub, the CO of the 35th came under criticism from politicians and the men of the division. Just days before the offensive he relieved his brigade and regimental commanders. The confusion was horrific as men who'd never seen each other now commanded troops under fire.
Many within the 35th itself felt that by raising accusations the honor of Missouri, Kansas, and the Division had been stained both by the Army and by Allen. All were in agreement that the casualties of the division needed to be answered for.
The accusations made by Allen (who had served with the Division) was that limited artillery, tank, and air support had meant that their men were sent to fight and die on their own.
Politicians in MO and KS eventually became involved. On both sides of the state line, questions arose. Particularly from Kansas Governor Henry Justin Allen, who pressured the War Department for answers.
Over the course of that time, the 35th would suffer more casualties than all units on Omaha Beach on D-Day combined. As a National Guard formation, it came under criticism for its performance from regular officers.
Why are there so many #WWI memorials in Kansas City? Outside of the National Museum, there are dozens, small and large covering KS and MO. A lot of it has to do with the 5-day experience of the 35th Division in Sept 1918. Let's look at it through #KansasCity newspapers of the time.
Group photo of pioneers of the 401st Infantry Regiment, January 18th, 1916.
I made appearances interpreting as a French sailor on Friday, and a British soldier on Saturday. Even the UK Ambassador stopped by (and promised to finally send reinforcements).
This past weekend cemented the sad reality that I will never look good in 18th century clothes. But what a weekend for us at @amrevmuseum.bsky.social! We had our two highest paid visitation days ever! It was all hands on deck and everyone got to join in on the #history education opportunities.
Reinforcements arriving for the 4thh of July in the form of the British Ambassador to the US at @amrevmuseum.bsky.social.
I can't understate how good Musée France 40 Véhicules is. The museum is located in the old sugar refinery near the Vesle. In 1918 it was a strongpoint held by the 28th Division of the AEF, and in 1940 de Gaulle's troops held the Germans there for hours. It's a small family project with a big impact.
Also just because it's fun. The USMC's whole uniform to the present day is a copy of the Troupes de Marine of the 1830s.
Set of images purported to show French infantry in action during the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. 110 years ago #Onthisday.
Bon retour à Philadelphie. On se voit samedi. Si vous cherchez quelque chose à faire avant le match, je connais un musée sympa.
Seriously though, a lot of historians and the general public are under the mistaken impression that the US infantry doctrine in the 19th century was based off of the British light and rifle units. They're not.