WW1 Centennial News

Highlights

WW1 Poppy Program web site goes live

Colorado web site goes Live

Mathew Naylor President/CEO of WW1 Museum in KC on April 6 event

Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun - African-American heroes are a part of a vanishing World War I legacy

American Legion Post 196 in Brownwood, Texas submission to 100C/100M program

Feb. 2017 Education Newsletter comes out.

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February 22, 2017

Intro

Welcome to World War One Centennial News. It’s about WW1 news 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Today is February 15, 2017 and your host is Theresa Sims…

World War One THEN

100 Year Ago This Week

Q-Ship Farnborough Sinks U-83On February 17th, the HMS Farnborough (also known as (Q-5) of the British Royal Navy used a daring strategy to defeat U-83 of the German Imperial Navy. Instead of engaging the U-boat, the Farnborough intentionally allowed itself to get hit by a torpedo and sink. The crew then pretended to abandoned ship, and when the submarine emerged from the sea, the ship open fired and sunk it. The Allies had had few victories over the submarines since the start of the new U-boat campaign, the defeat of U-83 was the third. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157359106413/q-ship-farnborough-sinks-u-83Arabs Begin Raiding Hejaz RailwayOn February 20th, a Hashemite (HasheMITE) Arab force attacked the Hejaz (Heyjaxx) Railway and destroyed a nearby bridge. The railway served as the only reliable connection between the Turkish garrison in Medina and the rest of the Ottoman Empire. This was the first of many raids that would hamper the Turkish forces in Medina, which would soon run short on food. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157510518768/arabs-begin-raiding-hejaz-railway

The Great War ChannelCut some

This week on the Great War Channel, they have three new episodes.

Medical Treatment in World War 1

French Railway Guns

Russian Bombing On The Eastern Front

Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar

War in the Sky

Feb. 26, 1917 in anticipation of a possible entry World War I by the US, Marine Corps aviator Alfred A. Cunningham receives orders to head to the the Philadelphia Navy Yard and to establish, equip, and command an aviation company for a Marine Corps advance base force.Rolling back in time, The military history of aviation in the US started with the Army. The Aeronautical Division of the Signal Corps was set up in August 1907; its first plane was acquired from the Wright Brothers in 1909. The Navy constructed a platform on a cruiser, the Birmingham where a civilian pilot flew the first time in 14 November 1910; the Navy's first three planes were delivered in July the next year in 1911.One year after that, in 1912, Cunningham was ordered from Annapolis for flight training at the Burgess aircraft plant at Marblehead, Mass., and soloed in August...  after just 2 hours and 40 minutes of flight instruction. He became a member of the Chambers Board along with six naval officers, assuring the Marines of a representative in naval aviation almost from the beginning. In an interesting twist of love and love of flying, in 1913 Cunningham asked to be detached from flying duty because his sweetheart and fiancee declined to marry a flyer; he was detached and then he was attached by marrying her.  But, remember he is a Marine so in 1915 after two years, he went back to flying duty. Ouch - LOVE takes a loop-dee-loop and the airplane wins! And one hundred year ago this week Cunningham puts together a USMC aviation company for the Great War in The Sky.LINK: http://ww1cc.org/warinthesky

Great War Project

LINK: www.greatwarproject.org/

World War One NOW

Commission News

Poppy Seed ProgramThe U.S. World War I Centennial Commission has launched its nationwide "WW1 Poppy Program" to support construction of the new National World War One Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington, DC. The website is now live. Link: http://ww1cc.org/poppy

Activities and Events

New York WW1 Doughboy Swap & SaleDates: Saturday, February 25, 2017 11:00am - 04:00pmThe Doughboy Swap & Sale: Announcing the first one-day event in New York City for World War I reenactors to find uniforms and equipment, and to meet others who are passionate about living history. A proper Doughboy impression starts with a basic uniform: At this event, we’ll bring together reenactors and vendors with items specific to World War I, from boots to helmets. There is no cost for admission and no charge for dealer/vendor tables. The event is hosted at the historic Samuel Young Jr. American Legion Post 620 in the Bronx. In one room look for collar discs, overseas caps, haversacks, ...Contact: Kevin Fitzpatrick: [email protected] Young Jr American Legion Post 620New York, NYLink: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/commemorate/event-map-system/eventdetail/11444/new-york-ww1-doughboy-swap-sale.htmlFrance and the Memory of the Great War ConferenceDates: Thursday, March 02, 2017 - Friday, March 03, 2017 Join keynote speaker Dr. Annette Becker and special guest Dr. Monique Seefried, Commissioner on the United States World War One Centennial Commission, for a conference that will explore the military, political, social, and cultural history of France in the Great War, as well as connections between France and other combatant nations. Held at the University of South Alabama, the conference will feature presentations by dozens of scholars from all relevant disciplines. Call for Papers: http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/research/warandmemory/resources/cfp.pdfContact: Dr. Susan McCreadyUniversity of South AlabamaMobile, AL

Updates From The States

ColoradoAs we speak, the Colorado State Commission’s website is now live! It is the first Mountain state to go live and the website will be a great resource for people looking to get involved. You can check it out at ww1cc.org/colorado. We are going to have someone from the Colorado team on the show next week to tell us more.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/colorado-in-wwi-home-page.htmlAndrew McGrealThe commission’s own Andrew McGreal is also here with us today. Andrew, what other updates do you have for us today?

International Report

War stories come to townWWI Stories of Service are being collected around the world. From Australia, the headline reads: War stories come to town. There is a new World war one photo exhibit in Gannawarra themed around the Victorians who served. Entitled “Australia Will Be There – Victorians in the First World War” this exhibit features more than 100 images and outlines what servicemen and women experienced during the four-year conflict. Particularly, it focuses on Gallipoli, the Middle East and Europe's Western Front. Check out the link in the chatroom to see more.Link: http://www.gannawarratimes.com.au/story/4479964/war-stories-come-to-town/National Eisteddfod's World War One commemorationIn the UK, the headline reads: National Eisteddfod's  (I-sted-fud) World War One commemoration. (So what’s an eisteddfod? it’s the most important of several eisteddfodau festivals that are held annually, mostly in Wales. eight days of competitions and performances are considered the largest music and poetry festival in Europe.) The National Eisteddfod choir will mark 100 years since World War One's battle of Passchendaele with a special performance. Organisers say the war's first battle had particular relevance to Welsh history. Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-39014396

Posts and Articles

Four Questions for Matthew NaylorOur WW1 centennial event on April 6th, 2017,  will be held at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Matthew Naylor, President and CEO of the Museum, is also a World War One Centennial Commissioner. He talks with us this week about the event, the significance of WW1, and why the Museum and Memorial is the right location for this commemorative event.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/1909-four-questions-for-matthew-naylor.htmAmbassador Carol Moseley Braun - African-American heroes are a part of a vanishing World War I legacyInteresting story tied to Black History Month. We have an oped on our site written by Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun recently published in the Military Times. Nearly 350,000 African-Americans served during World War One, and the Ambassador examines the paradox in how these soldiers fought overseas for freedoms they did not have. (She talks about her own grandfather, Thomas Davie, attached to the Army’s 10th Calvary Regiment, famously known as the “Buffalo Soldiers,” was posthumously awarded a U.S. Victory Medal and fought in the battle at Meuse-Argonne. His cousin, who volunteered at the same time, was not so fortunate; his name is memorialized on a statute in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood.)Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/1906-african-american-heroes-are-a-part-of-a-vanishing-world-war-i-legacy.html100 Cities / 100 MemorialsThis week on our 100 cities 100 memorials blog, we take a look at American Legion Post 196 in Brownwood, Texas submission to 100C/100M program The Memorial was originally located behind a bush, and most people had forgotten about it. With the help of the Central Texas Veterans' Memorial committee, the Memorial was moved from its old location to a new Central Texas Veterans' Memorial location in the 36th Division Memorial Park in Brownwood. Catch the full story on the blog. Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/100-cities-100-memorials-blog/114-matching-grant-project-profile-brown-county,-texas.htmlWWrite Blog(Part of Black History Month and relates to Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun story)This week on the WWrite Blog, Jennifer Orth-Veillon, offers her post entitled "On A Boat Alone.” She discusses the "Gold Star Pilgrimage," a U.S.-government sponsored program that brought wives to burial sites and battle grounds in Europe post WWI. She focuses on the African American women who took these trips and discovered equality, not in their own country, but on the other side of the ocean.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/articles-posts.html

Spotlight In the Media

‘The Ottoman Lieutenant’ Trailer Starring Game of Thrones’ Michiel HuismanThe official trailer’s arrived for Paladin’s dramatic film, The Ottoman Lieutenant. Directed by Joseph Ruben, The Ottoman Lieutenant is the first movie to explore the eastern front of World War I. It tells the story of a strong-willed woman, who, leaves the United States after meeting Jude, an American doctor who runs a remote medical mission within the Ottoman Empire.  The film will be released in theaters on March 10, 2017. We’ll post a link to the trailer in the chatroom. Link: http://www.showbizjunkies.com/movies/ottoman-lieutenant-trailer/

Teaching and Learning

Education NewsletterThere is a new education newsletter over at theworldwar.org/education. This issue focus on the US’ entry into the war. It features stories on German U-boat campaign, the war with Mexico, and a lesson plan about the reasons that drove our nation to war. We’ll leave a link to the site in the chatroom, but we encourage you to register so that you can get the newsletter directly when it’s out. Keep an eye out for a special edition of the March Education newsletter US Entry into War.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/educate/education-resources.html

Social Media - The Buzz

Moving on, let’s see what was going in the world of social media this week. We have Kathy Akey with us again, Kathy, what’s going on our social media conversation wall?http://ww1cc.org/social

Closing

WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the US WW1 Centennial Commission and the commission’s founding sponsor the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. The videos can be found at ww1cc.org/cn. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly eNewsletter the Weekly DISPATCH.Our twitter and instagram handles are both @ww1cc and we are on facebook @ww1centennial. Our founding sponsor is the Pritzker Military Museum and LibraryThanks for joining us. and….Don’t forget to commemorate!So long.

Highlights

US World War One Centennial Commission Chairman - Robert Dalessandro "Leading up to April 6"

Chag Lowry - Native Americans in WW1 from a graphic novelist perspective

"Stories of Service" and "Family Ties" introduced by Chris Christopher

Pritzker Military Museum and Library: Now in progress "Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing"

American Legion Post 43 - Hollywood gets busy!

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WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Podcast

February 15, 2017

Intro

Welcome to World War One Centennial News. It’s about WW1 news 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.

WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library.

Today is February 15, 2017 and your host is Theresa Sims…

World War One THEN

100 Year Ago This Week

Housatonic from 1864Last week we highlighted the sinking of the US ship Housatonic at the hands of a German Submarine.  This week, we look back even further than one hundred years. On February 17th, 1864, the USS Housatonic was sunk off the coast of Charleston South Carolina by a Confederate submarine. This was the first ship sunk by a submarine in history. This is truly an odd coincidence. Link: http://www.cnrs-scrn.org/northern_mariner/vol17/tnm_17_3_41-66.pdf

UK to Halt Construction on All Battlecruisers Except the HoodLast week, we talked about how Erich Ludendorff halted the construction of any new Hindenburg plants. This week Britain ended all construction of capital naval ships. At this stage of the war, a shortage of resources forced the Germans to halt construction of their own capital ships. The British had maintained an advantage in this area and so they halted construction as well.  On February 8, the War Cabinet cancelled construction of three new battlecruisers, only letting work on the Hood proceed as planned. If you want to know more about this, we’re posting two links. One two the story and another to the a lecture at Ohio State University on Financing the First World War.Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157001770968/uk-to-halt-construction-on-all-battlecruisershttp://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/educate/history/the-war-to-end-all-wars/1599-osu-2016-financing-the-first-world-war.htmlAustria-Hungary Refuses to Break Diplomatic Relations with USGermany’s submarine campaign in the Atlantic may have soured relations with the US, but a path to peace still existed.  Emperor Charles of Austria refused to break off relations with the United States, despite being asked personally by Kaiser Wilhelm.  Charles still sought a negotiated peace, and knew that it would be difficult without the United States.  Unfortunately, Germany refused to cease unrestricted submarine warfare. The article is a great read, follow the link.Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157177094173/austria-hungary-refuses-to-break-diplomatic

The Great War Channel

This week on the Great War Channel, they have four new episodes instead of three.

Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery During World War 1

Bulgaria Digs In At Doiran (the former Macedonia)

The Year of Battles Comes To An End

Finally, a couple of weeks ago, Florian Wittig and the Great War channel team took a trip to Verdun. They told us that seeing all of those crosses was very moving and profound. This week they are publishing a recap of their trip.

Link:https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar

War in the Sky

2/15/17We have three quick stories from the Great War in the Sky 100 years ago this week...The first story is February 8, 1917 - Flying a SPAD VII, French ace George Gyunemer becomes the first allied pilot to shoot down a German heavy bomber when downs a Gotha G II.The next story comes from "Today in world war I" It is February 11, 1917.It also involved bombers... You know, Zeppelins generally tried to raid Britain at night, though the British responded with powerful search lights and incendiary ammunition that allowed them to track their machine gun fire into the dark skies, the new fixed wing bombers on both sides made for faster and smaller targets especially at night.  So it was on February 11 that a German fighter shot down two french bombers returning from a night raid near their landing field in Maizeville France, making this the first example of an air-to-air shoot down at night.Our last story is of another first but not from combat - from Pensacola Florida on February 13, 1917.US Marine Corp aviator Francis Thomas Evans, Sr., was flying a Curtiss N-9 floatplane - you know a seaplane with the pontoons - and performs an aerobatic loop making him the first person to loop a seaplane. Everyone thought this was impossible in an N-9 even the manufacturer. Perhaps not a dramatic moment, except that the Americans were working out their own tricks in the sky.. and in fact, Evans later became known for the method of pulling out of a spin after a stall - a technique still tought by the Civil Air Patrol when I learned to fly in the 60s... and probably still today.And that is how it was in the sky 100 years ago this week.LINK:ww1cc.org/warinthesky

Great War Project

Next, we will hear from Mike Shuster and the Great War Project blog:  LINK:www.greatwarproject.org/

World War One NOW

International Report

Revealed: London Jewish children's experience of the Great WarHere’s a headline from Britain: London Jewish children's experience of the Great War. The Liberal Jewish Synagogue is releasing a series of illustrated poems, essays and cartoons in two bound volumes of work by pupils of the school who attended in 1915 and 1916. The material had been gathering dust in storage boxes until discovered by Sharon Lewison, a former archivist at the St John’s Wood shul. The Orthodox and Chasidim typically use the word "shul," which is Yiddish. The word is derived from a German word meaning "school," and emphasizes the synagogue's role as a place of study.Link: https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/discovered-how-youth-saw-wwi-1.432347The volumes are showpiece in London Jewish Chronicle's “We Were There Too” website.Do you have space to put up special posters commemorating World War One?Elsewhere in the Uk the headlines read: Do you have space to put up special posters commemorating World War One? This article from the Huddersfield daily examiner about a project commemorating stories of local soldiers who fought in the war. The stories have been gathered from local people and been turned into 20 different posters that will be on display for commuters to at the Huddersfield Bus Station and Dewsbury Railway Station.  Link: http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/history/you-space-put-up-special-12564766

Posts and Articles

Five Questions for Robert DalessandroThe U.S. World War I Centennial Commission is preparing for a major national event on April 6th, 2017, to mark the 100th anniversary of America's entry into the war. Commission Chair Robert Dalessandro spoke to us about the significance of the date. A career historian, Chair Dalessandro gave us some perspective on the events that took place 100 years ago to put us on the path to war, and how those events changed the entire world. Head over to the commission’s website to read what he has to say.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news.htmlFive Questions for Chag LowryWe also have another interview available for you this week. This one features  Native American graphic novelist, Chag Lowry. Chah  has a particular interest in telling the story of World War I, due to the amazing things that he has learned about the Native American soldiers who served in the U.S. military during that time. He has a new graphic novel about World War I coming out, entitled SOLDIERS UNKNOWN, and he took some time to tell us about it. Don’t miss this one.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/1890-four-questions-for-chag-lowry.htmlWorld War I: From Red Glare to DebonairThe next post is about the history of the military newspaper “Stars and Stripes.” The paper was created as a morale-builder after Americans surged into France during World War I and has a shared history with “The New Yorker” magazine. To see the full post, follow the link in the chatroom. Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/1885-world-war-i-from-red-glare-to-debonair.html100 Cities / 100 MemorialThis week on the 100 Cities / 100 Memorial blog, the moderators are answering your questions. Many of you have reached out to the blog for more information and the questions and answers to those inquiries are now posted for the benefit of all. If you had a question of your own, check out the blog this week and you might find it has already been answered.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/100-cities-100-memorials-blog.htmlWWrite BlogAlso this week, there are two new posts on our WWrite Blog. First, our WWrite Veteran Blog contributors met at the annual Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference in Washington D.C. to talk about their writing and war experience. Each year, over 12,000 people join the contemporary American writing community for four days of dialogue with panels, lectures, and a book fair. It is the largest literary conference in the country.Next, is a post authored by Major Jasmine Motupalli. This week, Major Jasmine Motupalli, Assistant Professor of Engineering at West Point, and Afghanistan War veteran, reflects upon the roles of African American women during WWI, especially the actions of journalist, activist, and suffragist, Ida B. Wells. Major Motupalli. The link to these posts is in the chatroom. Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/articles-posts.htmlStories of Service - Chris ChristopherToday we have a special guest from the commission. Chris Christopher is here to talk about our stories of service section on the site. Chris, tell us more about this new addition to the site.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/commemorate/family-ties/stories-of-service/1856-clement-anthony-grobbel.htmlhttp://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/commemorate/family-ties/stories-of-service/1557-mary-coan-reilly-ravener.html

Spotlight In the Media

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military WritingThe deadline for The Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing is coming up next month on the third. This prestigious award  serves to recognize a living author who has made a significant contribution to the understanding of military history including military affairs. The Award includes a citation, medallion, and $100,000. The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is one of the founding member of the WW1 Centennial Commision and we’re excited to see who they choose to win. If you think someone you know should nominated, follow the link in the chatroom to get more information. http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/pritzker-literature-award/

The Veterans Community

Hats off to the American LegionWe some examples of what the American Legion is doing to commemorate WWI for you today. First,  a WWI Centennial flag was shipped to Jack Querfeld  from AL HQ in Indianapolis. It arrived yesterday and Jack informs me that it flies over the American Legion National HQ building today, a sunny Indiana day! Flags will also be purchased for the AL DC Office and for the AL Geiger Operations Center at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN.Link: http://shop.worldwar1centennial.org/merchandise-gifts-awards/flagAmerican Legion Post 43The American legion post 43 in California is also stepping up their world war one commemoration efforts. Not only are they restoring a memorial in Elysian Park, but they also are having an event where historian R.G. Head will speak. They have also teamed up with the California WW1 Taskforce and rumor has it they are collaborating with actor John Voight on a future project. This is very exciting news. We wish them continued success in their efforts. Link: https://www.hollywoodpost43.org/blog/2017/2/10/post-43-helps-secure-grant-for-wwi-memorials

The Buzz

Let’s see what was going in the world of social media this week. We have Kathy Akey with us again, Kathy, what’s going on our social media conversation wall?http://ww1cc.org/social

Closing

WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the US WW1 Centennial Commission and the commission’s founding sponsor the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. The videos can be found at ww1cc.org/cn. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly eNewsletter the Weekly DISPATCH.Our twitter and instagram handles are both @ww1cc and we are on facebook @ww1centennial. Our founding sponsor is the Pritzker Military Museum and LibraryThanks for joining us. and….Don’t forget to commemorate!So long.

Click To Explore our other WW1 Centennial publications

Highlights

US World War One Centennial Commission Chairman - Robert Dalessandro "Leading up to April 6"

Chag Lowry - Native Americans in WW1 from a graphic novelist perspective

"Stories of Service" and "Family Ties" introduced by Chris Christopher

Pritzker Military Museum and Library: Now in progress "Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing"

American Legion Post 43 - Hollywood gets busy!

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WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Podcast

February 15, 2017

Intro

Welcome to World War One Centennial News. It’s about WW1 news 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.

WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library.

Today is February 15, 2017 and your host is Theresa Sims…

World War One THEN

100 Year Ago This Week

Housatonic from 1864Last week we highlighted the sinking of the US ship Housatonic at the hands of a German Submarine.  This week, we look back even further than one hundred years. On February 17th, 1864, the USS Housatonic was sunk off the coast of Charleston South Carolina by a Confederate submarine. This was the first ship sunk by a submarine in history. This is truly an odd coincidence. Link: http://www.cnrs-scrn.org/northern_mariner/vol17/tnm_17_3_41-66.pdf

UK to Halt Construction on All Battlecruisers Except the HoodLast week, we talked about how Erich Ludendorff halted the construction of any new Hindenburg plants. This week Britain ended all construction of capital naval ships. At this stage of the war, a shortage of resources forced the Germans to halt construction of their own capital ships. The British had maintained an advantage in this area and so they halted construction as well.  On February 8, the War Cabinet cancelled construction of three new battlecruisers, only letting work on the Hood proceed as planned. If you want to know more about this, we’re posting two links. One two the story and another to the a lecture at Ohio State University on Financing the First World War.Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157001770968/uk-to-halt-construction-on-all-battlecruisershttp://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/educate/history/the-war-to-end-all-wars/1599-osu-2016-financing-the-first-world-war.htmlAustria-Hungary Refuses to Break Diplomatic Relations with USGermany’s submarine campaign in the Atlantic may have soured relations with the US, but a path to peace still existed.  Emperor Charles of Austria refused to break off relations with the United States, despite being asked personally by Kaiser Wilhelm.  Charles still sought a negotiated peace, and knew that it would be difficult without the United States.  Unfortunately, Germany refused to cease unrestricted submarine warfare. The article is a great read, follow the link.Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157177094173/austria-hungary-refuses-to-break-diplomatic

The Great War Channel

This week on the Great War Channel, they have four new episodes instead of three.

Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery During World War 1

Bulgaria Digs In At Doiran (the former Macedonia)

The Year of Battles Comes To An End

Finally, a couple of weeks ago, Florian Wittig and the Great War channel team took a trip to Verdun. They told us that seeing all of those crosses was very moving and profound. This week they are publishing a recap of their trip.

Link:https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar

War in the Sky

2/15/17We have three quick stories from the Great War in the Sky 100 years ago this week...The first story is February 8, 1917 - Flying a SPAD VII, French ace George Gyunemer becomes the first allied pilot to shoot down a German heavy bomber when downs a Gotha G II.The next story comes from "Today in world war I" It is February 11, 1917.It also involved bombers... You know, Zeppelins generally tried to raid Britain at night, though the British responded with powerful search lights and incendiary ammunition that allowed them to track their machine gun fire into the dark skies, the new fixed wing bombers on both sides made for faster and smaller targets especially at night.  So it was on February 11 that a German fighter shot down two french bombers returning from a night raid near their landing field in Maizeville France, making this the first example of an air-to-air shoot down at night.Our last story is of another first but not from combat - from Pensacola Florida on February 13, 1917.US Marine Corp aviator Francis Thomas Evans, Sr., was flying a Curtiss N-9 floatplane - you know a seaplane with the pontoons - and performs an aerobatic loop making him the first person to loop a seaplane. Everyone thought this was impossible in an N-9 even the manufacturer. Perhaps not a dramatic moment, except that the Americans were working out their own tricks in the sky.. and in fact, Evans later became known for the method of pulling out of a spin after a stall - a technique still tought by the Civil Air Patrol when I learned to fly in the 60s... and probably still today.And that is how it was in the sky 100 years ago this week.LINK:ww1cc.org/warinthesky

Great War Project

Next, we will hear from Mike Shuster and the Great War Project blog:  LINK:www.greatwarproject.org/

World War One NOW

International Report

Revealed: London Jewish children's experience of the Great WarHere’s a headline from Britain: London Jewish children's experience of the Great War. The Liberal Jewish Synagogue is releasing a series of illustrated poems, essays and cartoons in two bound volumes of work by pupils of the school who attended in 1915 and 1916. The material had been gathering dust in storage boxes until discovered by Sharon Lewison, a former archivist at the St John’s Wood shul. The Orthodox and Chasidim typically use the word "shul," which is Yiddish. The word is derived from a German word meaning "school," and emphasizes the synagogue's role as a place of study.Link: https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/discovered-how-youth-saw-wwi-1.432347The volumes are showpiece in London Jewish Chronicle's “We Were There Too” website.Do you have space to put up special posters commemorating World War One?Elsewhere in the Uk the headlines read: Do you have space to put up special posters commemorating World War One? This article from the Huddersfield daily examiner about a project commemorating stories of local soldiers who fought in the war. The stories have been gathered from local people and been turned into 20 different posters that will be on display for commuters to at the Huddersfield Bus Station and Dewsbury Railway Station.  Link: http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/history/you-space-put-up-special-12564766

Posts and Articles

Five Questions for Robert DalessandroThe U.S. World War I Centennial Commission is preparing for a major national event on April 6th, 2017, to mark the 100th anniversary of America's entry into the war. Commission Chair Robert Dalessandro spoke to us about the significance of the date. A career historian, Chair Dalessandro gave us some perspective on the events that took place 100 years ago to put us on the path to war, and how those events changed the entire world. Head over to the commission’s website to read what he has to say.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news.htmlFive Questions for Chag LowryWe also have another interview available for you this week. This one features  Native American graphic novelist, Chag Lowry. Chah  has a particular interest in telling the story of World War I, due to the amazing things that he has learned about the Native American soldiers who served in the U.S. military during that time. He has a new graphic novel about World War I coming out, entitled SOLDIERS UNKNOWN, and he took some time to tell us about it. Don’t miss this one.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/1890-four-questions-for-chag-lowry.htmlWorld War I: From Red Glare to DebonairThe next post is about the history of the military newspaper “Stars and Stripes.” The paper was created as a morale-builder after Americans surged into France during World War I and has a shared history with “The New Yorker” magazine. To see the full post, follow the link in the chatroom. Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/1885-world-war-i-from-red-glare-to-debonair.html100 Cities / 100 MemorialThis week on the 100 Cities / 100 Memorial blog, the moderators are answering your questions. Many of you have reached out to the blog for more information and the questions and answers to those inquiries are now posted for the benefit of all. If you had a question of your own, check out the blog this week and you might find it has already been answered.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/100-cities-100-memorials-blog.htmlWWrite BlogAlso this week, there are two new posts on our WWrite Blog. First, our WWrite Veteran Blog contributors met at the annual Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference in Washington D.C. to talk about their writing and war experience. Each year, over 12,000 people join the contemporary American writing community for four days of dialogue with panels, lectures, and a book fair. It is the largest literary conference in the country.Next, is a post authored by Major Jasmine Motupalli. This week, Major Jasmine Motupalli, Assistant Professor of Engineering at West Point, and Afghanistan War veteran, reflects upon the roles of African American women during WWI, especially the actions of journalist, activist, and suffragist, Ida B. Wells. Major Motupalli. The link to these posts is in the chatroom. Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/articles-posts.htmlStories of Service - Chris ChristopherToday we have a special guest from the commission. Chris Christopher is here to talk about our stories of service section on the site. Chris, tell us more about this new addition to the site.Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/commemorate/family-ties/stories-of-service/1856-clement-anthony-grobbel.htmlhttp://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/commemorate/family-ties/stories-of-service/1557-mary-coan-reilly-ravener.html

Spotlight In the Media

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military WritingThe deadline for The Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing is coming up next month on the third. This prestigious award  serves to recognize a living author who has made a significant contribution to the understanding of military history including military affairs. The Award includes a citation, medallion, and $100,000. The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is one of the founding member of the WW1 Centennial Commision and we’re excited to see who they choose to win. If you think someone you know should nominated, follow the link in the chatroom to get more information. http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/pritzker-literature-award/

The Veterans Community

Hats off to the American LegionWe some examples of what the American Legion is doing to commemorate WWI for you today. First,  a WWI Centennial flag was shipped to Jack Querfeld  from AL HQ in Indianapolis. It arrived yesterday and Jack informs me that it flies over the American Legion National HQ building today, a sunny Indiana day! Flags will also be purchased for the AL DC Office and for the AL Geiger Operations Center at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN.Link: http://shop.worldwar1centennial.org/merchandise-gifts-awards/flagAmerican Legion Post 43The American legion post 43 in California is also stepping up their world war one commemoration efforts. Not only are they restoring a memorial in Elysian Park, but they also are having an event where historian R.G. Head will speak. They have also teamed up with the California WW1 Taskforce and rumor has it they are collaborating with actor John Voight on a future project. This is very exciting news. We wish them continued success in their efforts. Link: https://www.hollywoodpost43.org/blog/2017/2/10/post-43-helps-secure-grant-for-wwi-memorials

The Buzz

Let’s see what was going in the world of social media this week. We have Kathy Akey with us again, Kathy, what’s going on our social media conversation wall?http://ww1cc.org/social

Closing

WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the US WW1 Centennial Commission and the commission’s founding sponsor the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. The videos can be found at ww1cc.org/cn. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly eNewsletter the Weekly DISPATCH.Our twitter and instagram handles are both @ww1cc and we are on facebook @ww1centennial. Our founding sponsor is the Pritzker Military Museum and LibraryThanks for joining us. and….Don’t forget to commemorate!So long.

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