World War I

History Read-Along: Gunner’s Run, Chapters 18-21

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment

Ready to head farther west on the escape journey in the historical novel Gunner’s Run? Author Rick Barry keeps the plot moving and the history hints coming in this section of the adventure story. No spoilers ahead – just some extra historical details about World War II.

Interesting, this section has hints and ties to World War I, the conflict that had wracked Europe just decades earlier. Did you know that the anniversary of the end of World War I is coming up on November 11? It’s been one hundred years this year (2018). Continue reading →

WWI Letters: “Our Division Has Been In Every Fight”

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In the autumn of 1918, young Lester Koontz in the 42nd Division wrote to his father from France. This letter was reprinted in A History of Shenandoah County, Virginia, and gives another glimpse into the observations and experiences of American soldiers during the final weeks of World War I.

You’ll find a few historical notes on World War I after the complete primary source to give a little background and historical depth to the letter. Continue reading →

Tea With Sarah: Talking About World War I

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 2 Comments

Good afternoon, it’s time for tea!

This month Gazette665’s Friday blog posts have been focusing on World War I, and we’ve been sharing some photos from the conflict on social media, too. Autumn 2018 marks one hundred years since the final campaigns and ending of the first world war. Can we find “tea appropriate” things to talk about on the subject? I think so!

Come join the conversation. Apple pie and caramel tea would be on the menu if this was a real gathering of history fans! Continue reading →

WWI Letters: “Aeroplanes Are Flying Around Over Here Like Birds”

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This letter reprinted in A History of Shenandoah County, Virginia was actually written for publication! Private Russell T. Hupp penned the letter and sent it to the editor of The Valley newspaper. It gives details that folks back home would have found interesting, including observations on the agriculture in France and comparisons to the crops and farms in the Shenandoah Valley.

Similar to the previous weeks, we’ve included a few historical notes on World War I after the complete primary source to give a little background and historical depth to the letter.

The Letter

Somewhere in France

A.E.F., Sept. 17, 1918, Continue reading →

WWI Letters: “There Are Greater Things Ahead Of Us”

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 1 Comment

Today’s featured letter – rediscovered in A History of Shenandoah County, Virginia – was written by an American sergeant serving “over there” during World War I. He details his lodgings, general impressions of Americans in war-torn Europe, and an experience with French refugees in this letter to his mother.

Similar to last week, we’ve included a few historical notes after the complete primary source to give a little background and historical depth to the letter.

The Letter

Somewhere in France

September 14, 1918 Continue reading →

WWI Letters: “The U-boat Ordered Us To Stop”

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment

Earlier this year when I was in Virginia, a smart salesperson convinced me to make a sizeable investment in a sizeable book called “A History of Shenandoah Country, Virginia.” I thought I was buying the book for Civil War history (and indeed I have used it in my new manuscript), but I also found a treasury of letters from World War I printed in the book! It appears that some of the letters were publicly published in local newspapers or later collected for the volume.

The letter I’m sharing today details the sinking of an American passenger ship by a German U-boat. Check out the letter, and I’ve included a few historical footnotes at the end… Continue reading →