That is my story, and if I had to go through it again, I would do it gladly for my country and the flag.' In this fascinating collection you will find more than 20 personal accounts of World War I from those who experienced it themselves. These stories range from accounts of life in the trenches to the terrifying ordeals of going 'over the top' to the sudden truce and festive atmosphere that broke out on Christmas Day, 1915. Filled with moments of tension, tragedy, and, on occasion, even humour, these tales open a window into the experiences of those soldiers who fought in what was known at the time as 'The Great War.
Percy Keese Fitzhugh's 'Tom Slade with the Boys Over There' is a captivating novel that follows the adventures of the beloved character Tom Slade as he joins the war effort during World War I. Written in Fitzhugh's trademark engaging style, this book combines elements of adventure, camaraderie, and patriotism. The vivid descriptions of the battlefield and the relationships between the characters make this book a compelling read that immerses the reader in the realities of wartime. Fitzhugh's detailed storytelling and compelling narrative keep the reader engaged from beginning to end. 'Tom Slade with the Boys Over There' is a unique blend of fiction and historical context, providing readers with a glimpse into the experiences of young men during World War I. Fitzhugh's ability to capture the spirit of the times and create relatable characters make this book a standout in the genre. Fans of historical fiction and adventure novels will thoroughly enjoy this gripping tale of bravery and friendship in the midst of war.
The riveting true story of America's first modern military battle, its first military victory during World War One, and its first steps onto the world stage At first light on Tuesday, May 28th, 1918, waves of American riflemen from the U.S. Army's 1st Division climbed from their trenches, charged across the shell-scarred French dirt of no-man's-land, and captured the hilltop village of Cantigny from the grip of the German Army. Those who survived the enemy machine-gun fire and hand-to-hand fighting held on for the next two days and nights in shallow foxholes under the sting of mustard gas and crushing steel of artillery fire. Thirteen months after the United States entered World War I, these 3,500 soldiers became the first "doughboys" to enter the fight. The operation, the first American attack ever supported by tanks, airplanes, and modern artillery, was ordered by the leader of America's forces in Europe, General John "Black Jack" Pershing, and planned by a young staff officer, Lieutenant Colonel George C. Marshall, who would fill the lead role in World War II twenty-six years later. Drawing on the letters, diaries, and reports by the men themselves, Matthew J. Davenport's First Over There tells the inspiring, untold story of these soldiers and their journey to victory on the Western Front in the Battle of Cantigny. The first American battle of the "war to end all wars" would mark not only its first victory abroad, but the birth of its modern Army.
Although the United States did not enter the First World War until April 1917, Canada enlisted the moment Great Britain engaged in the conflict in August 1914. The Canadian contribution was great, as more than 600,000 men and women served in the war effort--400,000 of them overseas--out of a population of 8 million. More than 150,000 were wounded and nearly 67,000 gave their lives. The war was a pivotal turning point in the history of the modern world, and its mindless slaughter shattered a generation and destroyed seemingly secure values. The literature that the First World War generated, and continues to generate so many years later, is enormous and addresses a multitude of cultural and social matters in the history of Canada and the war itself. Although many scholars have brilliantly analyzed the literature of the war, little has been done to catalog the writings of ordinary participants: men and women who served in the war and wrote about it but are not included among well-known poets, novelists, and memoirists. Indeed, we don't even know how many titles these people published, nor do we know how many more titles were added later by relatives who considered the recollections or collected letters worthy of publication. Brian Douglas Tennyson's The Canadian Experience of the Great War: A Guide to Memoirs is the first attempt to identify all of the published accounts of First World War experiences by Canadian veterans.
