Word: french
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1910-1919
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...next night we moved up to the river, relieving one of our battalions, which had been pretty badly smashed up,--and there we stayed for about three days, when we were relieved by the French and came back here. At present we are occupying some of the towns which were held by our regiment during the Germans' July offensive--but they're more quiet now than then, I assure you. Save for our presence and that of a few civilians who have come back to take up the sorry task of rebuilding and rehabilitating--yes, and save for an occasional...
...went through J--the other day--and D--. Both towns were very heavily bombarded, both by the Germans, the French, and Americans--whole blocks, of houses are laid flat, with no stone on top of another--unless perchance the under stone may sometimes be above. And in those towns, in shells of houses, windows and often whole walls missing, roofs gone or rent and torn, the civilians were coming back. I saw stores being reopened, houses being set up, debris cleared away. I saw a meat market starting again, the people passing in and out through a hole...
...Marne, to the present front on the Vesle, is a mighty interesting trip. I've been over that twice now, both times by daylight, so I had a good chance to observe. In many of the towns things are being cleared up by the returning civilian and French engineer units, roads put back in shape, bridges being rebuilt, etc., so that they are less depressing in appearance than a town is when first taken back--after German habitation and allied bombardment. The country roads, too, are now in good shape, but everywhere there are signs of recent battle...
...soon as the warfare has ceased all of the army buildings possible will be converted into schools. And in them the men will receive six to eight hours of instruction each day. In addition to our own army huts, a great many of the British and French universities and technical schools have offered to accommodate as many men from the American Army as possible. The books necessary to the carrying out of this plan will be furnished by the American Library Association...
...rest here tranquilly "en repos" now--a dawdlins sort of existence. American soldiers are making a wonderful name for the States. The spirit between French and American is wonderful...