From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
Kenneth Davis on the Spanish Flu
On the World War I Centennial News Podcast, we're taking a look back at some of our favorite segments from 2018. On Episode 70, which aired on May 4th, author Kenneth Davis joined the show to discuss the deadly pandemic that swept the world in 1918. The following is a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity:
Theo Mayer: This week for Remembering Veterans, we're turning our attention away from the battlefield and looking at a phenomena that took more lives than the bullets and shells. With us to explore the story of the flu pandemic from 100 years ago is Kenneth C. Davis, bestselling author of the I Don't Know Much About book series. In fact, during our editorial meeting, when we were discussing the interview, our intern, John, enthused that these books were on his shelf as he was growing up. Well, Kenneth's new book is coming out on May 15th and it's called, More Deadly Than War: The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the First World War. A fascinating subject by a wonderful author. Kenneth, welcome to the podcast.
Kenneth Davis: It is a great pleasure to be with you. Thanks so much for having me.
Eighteen Teachers Selected to Study WWI in Europe
By Lynne O'Hara
Special to the United States World War I Centennial Commission web site
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Eighteen educators from across America have been selected to participate in Memorializing the Fallen — a teacher professional development program from National History Day®. Sponsored by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, the program takes educators on the journey of a lifetime to rediscover the history of World War I and invigorate its teaching in America’s classrooms.
Throughout the program, teachers attend virtual lectures, participate in discussions, and research a service member who never returned home. The academic portion of the program will be led by Dr. Christopher Hamner, an associate professor at George Mason University, and Dr. Kate Clarke Lemay, a historian with Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
In June 2019, the educators will venture to Europe where they will walk in the footsteps of history, making stops at Somme American Cemetery, St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, Suresnes American Cemetery, Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, and battle sites and monuments at Belleau Wood, Verdun, and Meuse Argonne. On the final day of the program, teachers will attend the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles at the Palace of Versailles. This highly competitive program pays for travel to these locations as well as lodging, meals, books and more.
All of these activities support the development of the final products the teachers create: a lesson plan and a Silent Hero® profile. The teachers are developing in-depth lesson plans to focus on the legacy of the conflict. Both the lesson plan and the fallen hero profile will be released during the 2019-2020 academic year.
Read more: Eighteen Teachers Selected to Study World War I in Europe
A photo of the site of the Seicheprey battle 100 years ago.
Program Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on January 20
Connecticut Students to Restore American Trenches in Seicheprey, France
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
The Connecticut Heritage Foundation, on behalf of the Connecticut State Library, is hosting an incredible high school education opportunity, “Digging Into History: Trench Restoration In Seicheprey France”. The project is in cooperation with the Communaute de Communes Mad et Moselle, and aims to restore a section of World War I trenches in Seicheprey, France. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on January 20, 2019. Click here for more information on the application process. "Digging Into History: World War I Trench Restoration in Seicheprey" will bring 15 Connecticut high school students on a community service trip to France in July 2019. The students will spend two weeks in the village of Seicheprey working with local historians to restore a section of trench from World War I. Seicheprey, in the Toul Sector, was the site of what is considered the first German offensive against American troops, and was fought primarily by Connecticut soldiers of the 102d Infantry Regiment, 26th “Yankee” Division. The goal of this work is to create a historic site where visitors can learn about this important battle, and American (and Connecticut) contributions to the war.
Christine Pittsley“Restoring and preserving historic sites provides a connection to the past that words and images cannot” said Connecticut State Librarian Kendall Wiggin. “Restoring this section of WWI trench honors those brave United States, and especially Connecticut troops, who fought and died in a war synonymous with trench warfare.” This unique opportunity is open to all Connecticut students entering 11th or 12th grade in the 2019/2020 school year. Students will be chosen on a competitive basis after submitting an essay and two letters of recommendations. A limited number of scholarships will be also be available. This opportunity is being sponsored by Connecticut Heritage Foundation, the 501(c)(3) arm of the Connecticut State Library in cooperation with the Communauté de Communes Mad et Moselle, Seicheprey’s regional government. To learn more about this educational project please visit https://ctinworldwar1.org/trenchproject/
This project is being led by Christine Pittsley. Christine is a member of the Connecticut WWI Centennial Committee, she is also a noted historian and educator. Her official title is Project Director, Remembering World War One: Sharing History/Preserving Memories at the Connecticut State Library. Christine took some time to tell us about her vision for this remarkable hands-on education project.
Read more: Connecticut Students to Restore American Trenches in Seicheprey, France
Front page of the Chicago Defender announces the return of the African American 8th Infantry Regiment to Chicago.
"Hidden voices. Buried history."
Collaborative project brings forgotten WWI era stories to a worldwide audience through VR technology
By Joel W. Beeson, Ph.D.
Special to the World War I Centennial Commission web site
Imagine yourself standing on a street corner in the South Side of present day Chicago. There doesn’t seem to be anything extraordinary about this spot—there are buildings, cars driving by. Then suddenly, your surroundings change. You’re in the middle of the 1919 “Red Summer” when post-World War I social and racial tensions boiled over into violence. You’re witnessing a confrontation outside of an old lunch room and cigar shop.
Joel W. Beeson, Ph.D.You’re looking at an old photo of a black WWI veteran and a white militiaman. You’re looking at the Chicago Race Riot of 1919, by the end of which 38 would be dead, more than 500 injured and 1,000 black families left homeless.
Forgotten stories like these are being made available to students nationwide through immersive storytelling technology thanks to a collaborative partnership with Google Expeditions, the Friends of the Victory Memorial and the West Virginia University Reed College of Media Innovation Center.
This project, “WWI Through the Eyes of the Chicago Defender,” brings history to life through virtual reality. The VR project takes viewers on a tour of WWI-era United States as seen through the eyes of the nation’s most influential black weekly newspaper at that time.
The project has been commissioned for Google Expeditions, a product that allows teachers to take their classes on virtual field trips, immersing students in experiences that bring abstract concepts to life, brings virtual objects into the classroom, and gives students a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom. The “WWI Through the Eyes of the Chicago Defender” expedition became a “pioneer” beta partner in 2016.
Members of the Post 62 American Legion, and Post 62 American Legion Auxiliary of Peoria, Arizona ring Bells of Peace during the ceremony on November 11.
200 Bells -- The Amazing Armistice Centennial Event hosted by the John J Morris American Legion Post 62, of Peoria, AZ
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
Although the World War I Armistice Centennial took place a few weeks ago, we continue to be amazed by stories that are coming to us from around the country, on local commemorative events that took place to honor our World War I veterans. One such story came to us from our friends at the John J. Morris American Legion Post 62 of Peoria, Arizona. Public Affairs volunteer Marge Christianson told us about their event.
Two junior members of the John J. Morris American Legion Post 62"The John J Morris American Legion Family in Peoria, AZ holds a flag raising ceremony every Veteran’s Day at 11:00. With total membership of over 3,000, it’s a big day – with many participants, guest speakers, pot luck feast, entertainment.
Keen to “hundred-year anniversaries” -- 2019 is the American Legion’s 100th, and 2020 is the Auxiliary’s -- Post 62 Auxiliary decided to do something special as part of the WW1CC's “Bells of Peace" program.
Post 62's junior members worked through the crowd of attendees, handing out poppies (a WWI symbol) -- and small keepsake bells, for each guest to ring as part of the "Bells of Peace".
Just prior to 11:00, Post Commander, James McCrady, holding a large brass hand bell, gave this speech:
“100 years ago today, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, World War One officially ended—but not before 116, 516 Americans gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy today.
"Each of you have received a “bell of peace” to ring with others across the country at exactly 11:00 local time.
"Today, we remember the 4.7 million Americans who stepped forward to serve in uniform, the 2 million that were deployed overseas to fight, the 200,000 wounded and the 116, 516 who died.
"Please join me in ringing your bell.”
In a solemn moment, each person, of all ages & backgrounds, rang their bell.
Captain Ben Davis Locke (Choctaw), in front, with American Indian soldiers at Camp Stanley, 1918. Courtesy of Francine Locke Bray.
"American Indians in World War I" web site now live
By Erin Fehr
Sequoyah National Research Center, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR – In commemoration of the centennial of the First World War, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Sequoyah National Research Center (SNRC) published the website “American Indians in World War I” in partnership with the United States World War I Centennial Commission. The website (ww1cc.org/americanindian) was created to commemorate the service of 12,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives who served in the war, mostly as volunteers.
The website content was written by SNRC Director Daniel F. Littlefield and Archivist Erin Fehr, while a special essay on Code Talkers was contributed by Missouri State University professor William C. Meadows, who is currently in the process of publishing a book on WWI code talkers.
The website features articles on all aspects of a soldier’s service and includes a timeline of American Indian history. American Indian women who served as nurses are highlighted in a separate section that includes biographies of each woman. A map of Native American war memorials is also included.
Read more: "American Indians in World War I" web site now live
From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
Dr. Frederick Dickinson on Japan in the Great War
On the World War I Centennial News Podcast, we're taking a look back at some of our favorite segments from 2018. In Episode 84, which aired on August 10th, Professor of Japanese History at the University of Pennsylvania and noted Japan expert Dr. Frederick Dickinson joined the show to elucidate Japan's important but oft-neglected role in the war. The following is a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity:
Theo Mayer: August 10th, Episode #84, Japan in World War I, with Dr. Fredrick Dickinson. Now those who've never been exposed to what happened in the far east during World War I are often surprised by the fact that Japan declared war almost as soon as hostilities broke out in 1914, years before America entered the fray, and many of those same people are also surprised to learn that Japan fought on the side of the Allies. And, those who know just a little about Japan in World War I, tend to hold some preconceptions about Japan, and Japan in World War I, including the accepted Western concept that Japan was an isolated nation, and stalked away from the Versailles Treaty, having been seriously insulted by the non-acceptance of their proposal for racial equality for the League Of Nations. Now, I'm one of those people, so it was really great to have some of my ideas realigned by our next guest, Dr. Frederick Dickinson, Professor of Japanese History at the University of Pennsylvania, Co-Director of the Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies, and the Deputy Director for the Penn Forum on Japan. Dr. Dickinson didn't just study Japan, he was born in Tokyo, and raised in Kanazawa and Kyoto. He's written a series of books including War and National Reinvention: Japan and the Great War, 1914-1919. Dr. Dickinson, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Dickinson: Sure, thanks Theo, thanks for having me. Delighted to talk about Japan, delighted to have an audience for Japan.
From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
War in the Sky: PTSD Among the Pilots with Mark Wilkins
On the World War I Centennial News Podcast, we're taking a look back at some of our favorite segments from 2018. On Episode 66, which aired on April 4th, historian and aeronautical expert Mark Wilkins joined the show to discuss the prevalence of PTSD in the ranks of WWI pilots and his recent work on the subject of WWI aviation. The following is a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity:
Theo Mayer: April 4, episode number 66, War in The Sky, "PTSD Among the Pilots with Mark Wilkins." This week for War in the Sky, we're turning inward to look at the psychological challenges for those daring warriors in the sky during WWI. Joining us is Mark Wilkins, historian, writer, museum professional, and lecturer. Mark is the author of a recently published article in the Smithsonian Air and Space magazine called "The Dark Side of Glory: An Early Glimpse of PTSD in the Letters of World War I Aces." Welcome to the podcast, Mark.
Mark Wilkins: Thank you. Glad to be here.
Theo Mayer: Mark, to start with, how did you get the trove of letters you used for your research?
Mark Wilkins: Well, research as you know, is a treasure hunt. It is intuitive and sometimes information is found in the most unlikely places. That being said, there's some recent books that have collections of pilots' letters. University and national archives are another great source, as are aviation museums or war museums like the Imperial War Museum in London, local historical societies, sometimes relatives of the pilots, also online newspaper and periodical archives are another fabulous source of information.
Scene from They Shall Not Grow Old
Peter Jackson lends an astonishing cinematic intimacy to life during the First World War.
They Shall Not Grow Old Is the Movie of the Year
By Rich Lowry
via the National Review magazine web site
The filmmaker Peter Jackson deserves more than an Oscar; he deserves a medal.
What the director of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies has done with his World War I documentary, They Shall Not Grow Old, is more than restore archival film; he has restored the humanity of men caught up in one of history’s great cataclysms. This is an aesthetic achievement of the highest order, and a great service to history.
World War I has always had more than its share of historiography, novels, poems and feature films. Until now what it lacked was video (at least watchable video), the single most powerful medium of the modern era.
It took Jackson and his team five years to make They Shall Not Grow Old. They had to painstakingly remove scratches and other damage from old film belonging to the Imperial War Museum, and slow down the primitive footage. Then it was colorized, with loving accuracy. Forensic lip readers recovered what soldiers were saying on the film, and actors provided the voices. Finally, it was made 3D.
The effect is to transform the men originally caught on choppy black-and-white film to relatable, individual human beings, just like anyone else we watch on a screen today.
World War I was such an industrial-scale event that it tends to become impersonal, the men who fought it reduced in our minds to cannon fodder.
Jackson’s artistic choices open up a new vista. He focuses only on British soldiers on the Western Front and doesn’t retell the events of the war. There is no narrator and no historians. Instead, the voices of vets interviewed by the BBC in the 1960s and ’70s constitute the narration. They tell the story of their personal experiences from enlistment to the end of the war.
Pershing Park, the proposed site of the U.S. national WWI memorial, near the White House. (Photo by John Mees, ABC News)
Building a national World War I memorial in Washington proves to be an uphill battle
By James Glenday
North America Correspondent, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
To an Australian, the task sounds like it should be simple.
Build a national World War I memorial in the centre of Washington DC in time for the 100th anniversary of the armistice.
America is a nation that makes a point of honouring its veterans.
During the Great War, 116,000 "doughboys" died and while all the other major 20th century conflicts that helped turn the US into the globe's unrivalled superpower have iconic monuments on the capital's national mall, there is not one commemorating the war in which they fought.
So, how hard could building it be?
"It's incredibly complicated," said Edwin Fountain from the US World War I Centennial Commission.
"Building a memorial in the capital … is always complex."
We are chatting in a run-down, leaf-filled park that was by now meant to be home to a cascading fountain and huge bronze sculpture wall.
Yes, the deadline has already passed.
No construction has taken place even though a ceremonial ground breaking was held a year ago.
The new date for completion is now Remembrance Day 2021.
Read more: Building a national World War I memorial in Washington proves to be an uphill battle
Dave Lockard's 1918 US Army truck with a body that faithfully replicates the War Department requirements of April 1917 as built by the J. G. Brill Co. of Philadelphia.
"Packard Dave" Lockard earns National Awards for his WWI trucks, storytelling
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
"Packard Dave" Lockard is an old, old friend to the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission (WW1CC). Dave is an antique automobile/truck enthusiast. He owns several World War I-era Packard military vehicles, and serves as a historical expert on the topic of WWI military transportation. As a volunteer educator and history presenter, "Packard Dave' has been involved with telling the story of World War I to huge groups of people at auto-shows, parades, historical events, and special commemorations. Dave's great efforts to remember our American veterans, in his special way, has recently drawn the attention of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). They have bestowed Packard Dave with not one, but two, of their very highest national awards. We at the WW1CC were thrilled to hear this news, and had a chance to speak to him about it.
First -- Tell us about your two beautiful World War I trucks.
I have three running Packard trucks. These include:
Dave Lockard1) 1918 US Army truck with a body that faithfully replicates the War Department requirements of April 1917 as built by the J. G. Brill Co. of Philadelphia. The truck rides on solid rubber tires mounted on wooden spoke wheels. The US Army owned 10,000 Packard trucks that were used in many applications, initially in 1909 as the Army's first gun mounted truck. My Packard has top speed of 17 miles per hour, is worm drive powered, has kerosene headlights and mechanical brakes (instead of hydraulics - a series of rods and levers that relied completely on massive pressure from the driver's foot to stop the truck!). From the idea to even begin to restore a Packard Army truck in 1996 and the completion of the Packard's restoration in 2010 took a lot of focused diligence and massive help from friends..
2) 1919 Packard 2 1/2 ton truck. Although this Packard rides on pneumatic or air filled tires, the tires are mounted on wooden wheels also - which limited top speed to 16 miles per hour. This truck has been mechanically restored only as the exterior retains a 100 year old appearance. Originally built as a chemical fire truck that served in Connecticut, the truck was sold in 1955 with the chemical body removed to a family who treasured collector vehicles in 1955. In 2008 I was given the truck by Mr. Charles White, a long time Philadelphia area resident and mechanical restoration began shortly there after.
3) 1920 Packard 1 1/2 ton. I purchased this truck in 1979 from Mr. Ralph Gery of Mechanicsburg, PA. Ralph had bought the Packard that had worked in a lumber yard in Sinking Springs, PA in the 1930's as Ralph knew Packard Motor Car company was a major supplier of trucks. cars & aircraft engines in WW-I. The Packard was purchased in memory of Ralph's brother Edward Gery who was killed in action in France just days before the Armistice on November 11, 1918. .Restoring this truck was an 8 year adventure...
Now -- Tell us about your big awards from the AACA!
Here is the full scoop:
Some weeks ago I received letters from the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) that my 1918 Packard Army truck and 1919 Packard (nicknamed 'Rusty') were nominated for the 'AACA National Awards'.
Read more: "Packard Dave" Lockard earns National Awards for his WWI trucks, storytelling
The British Grand Fleet enjoyed a numerical advantage over the German High Sea Fleet of 37:27 in heavy units and 113:72 in light support craft in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916.
Re-enacting the Battle of Jutland: U.S. Naval War College tackles lessons from a WWI sea battle
By David Kohnen, U.S. Naval War College
via the U.S. Naval War College web site
A U.S. Naval War College war game based on a much-studied World War I battle was held at the Queen’s House at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, U.K., on Nov. 8.
The participants included officials from U.S. Naval War College, which has long and historic ties to the 1916 Battle of Jutland.
The re-enactment employed the same methods and technology used a century ago to understand the maritime strategy of what was the largest naval surface engagement of World War I.
The battle was fought between Great Britain and Germany off the coast of Denmark, at the cost of nearly 10,000 lives.
The British broke German signal codes and made good use of ship-handling to force the German admiral into retreat. Both sides claimed victory, though Britain retained control of the disputed waters.
The encounter was studied closely between the two world wars at the Naval War College, including by luminaries such as Fleet Admirals Chester W. Nimitz, Ernest J. King and William F. Halsey. The lessons learned were the basis for much of the naval strategy used in World War II.
Peter Jackson’s WWI Doc ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ Sets Brand New Fathom Events B.O. Record With $3M+, $5M+ To Date
By Anthony D'Alessandro
via the Deadline | Hollywood web site
EXCLUSIVE: We are hearing that the encore presentation of Peter Jackson’s WWI documentary They Shall Not Grow Old from Warner Bros. has set a brand new record for Fathom Events making an estimated $3.1-plus today from two showtimes at 1,122 theaters. That’s the highest-grossing single-day ever for a documentary playing via Fathom, and one of the top-grossing single-night presentations of any kind from the events company.
Originally, the Dec. 17 presentation of They Shall Not Grow Old set the record for Fathom with $2.3M. Today is bound to beat that figure and sends the documentary to a current running total that’s north of $5.4M.
Warners will open They Shall Not Grow Old in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC, on Jan. 11, with expansions to the top 25 markets on Feb. 1, Super Bowl weekend. The movie didn’t qualify for Oscar’s Best Documentary category this year as it missed the Oct. 1 filing deadline. This is a pure admirable passion play for Warner Bros. on behalf of their Lord of the Rings and Hobbit helmer Jackson.