Figure 1.--Here we see an American Doughboy wringing out his clothes aided by a local French woman in the village of Lucy. This is a small village located in northeast France. It is in the department of Moselle in Lorraine. This would have been close to the front lines.

The first 14,000 American soldiers landed at Saint Nazaire (June 26, 1917). The landing site had been kept secret out of fear of German U-boats. Although arriving in secret, by the time they jad moved off the ships, an enthusiastic French crowd had gathered to greet them. They were, however, for the most part, green recruits with little or no training. British and French instructors would help train the Doughboys in the many camps established as the AEF grew with the arrival of more and more troop transports. Many of the camps were set up in northern France near the front lines. We have not been able to find much information on these camps. The United States was able to build proper military barracks in the United States. Given war time conditions, this would have been very difficult in France for so many men. Thus the training camps were mostly tent camps. We also believe that many Doughboys were billited in French homes, but we have no details os this. We are still looking for infotrmation about bthe trining camps in France. Another important activity in France was developing from scratch a logisical and support network for the AEF. It was a massive operation need to support the more than 2 miliion Doughboys who arrived in France. The small pre-War U.S. Army had a very limited logistical capability. The AEF had set about developing a massive support network need to support the huge American force. It was done by the Services of Supply unit in the rear areas building port infrastructure, rail lines, depots, schools, maintenance facilities, bakeries, clothing repair shops, replacement depots, ice plants, and a wide variety of other afacilities. The chief base areas for storage and other Quartermaster installations were established at St. Nazaire and Bordeaux chief entry points for supplies from the United States. It was the first time that the French met Americans in large mumbers. France was one of the few European countries from which people did not emigrate to America in large numbers. The French felt linkages with America because for about a century, America was the only other republic of any consequence. But unlike other countries, there had been few likages on the individual and family level. The huge numbers of Americans that flowed into France changed this. The Doughboys were not confined tightly in military camps. There was extensive interaction between the Doughboys and the French people. The optimistic Americans were a tonic to the French after 3 years of war and horrendous losses. Few Frenchmen by the end of the war had not had some contact with American Doughboys. It was the children who were most enchanted, especially because the Americans had a seemingly inexhaustable supply of sweets. Perhaps even more important that the impact of the Americans on the French, was the French on the Americans. There were of course there were war brides. And rather provincial, culturaly conservative Amnericans were exposed to the more libertine French life style. France was especially mind-opening for African-American soldiers.

Arrival

The first 14,000 American soldiers landed at Saint Nazaire (June 26, 1917). The landing site had been kept secret out of fear of German U-boats. Although arriving in secret, by the time they jad moved off the ships, an enthusiastic French crowd had gathered to greet them. They were, however, for the most part, green recruits with little or no training.

Training Camps

British and French instructors would help train the Doughboys in the many camps established as the AEF grew with the arrival of more and more troop transports. Many of the camps were set up in northern France near the front lines. We have not been able to find much information on these camps. The United States was able to build proper military barracks in the United States. Given war time conditions, this would have been very difficult in France for so many men. Thus the training camps were mostly tent camps. We also believe that many Doughboys were billited in French homes, but we have no details os this. We are still looking for infotrmation about bthe trining camps in France.

Services of Supply Unit

Another important activity in France was developing from scratch a logisical and support network for the AEF. It was a massive operation need to support the more than 2 million Doughboys who arrived in France. The small pre-War U.S. Army had a very limited logistical capability. The AEF had set about developing a massive support network need to support the huge American force. It was done by the Services of Supply Unit in the rear areas building port infrastructure, rail lines, depots, schools, maintenance facilities, bakeries, clothing repair shops, replacement depots, ice plants, and a wide variety of other afacilities. The chief base areas for storage and other Quartermaster installations were established at St. Nazaire and Bordeaux chief entry points for supplies from the United States. <>br>

Personal Relations

It was the first time that the French met Americans in large mumbers. France was one of the few European countries from which people did not emigrate to America in large numbers. The French felt linkages with America because for about a century, America was the only other republic of any consequence. But unlike other countries, there had been few likages on the individual and family level. The huge numbers of Americans that flowed into France changed this. The Doughboys were not confined tightly in military camps. There was extensive interaction between the Doughboys and the French people. The optimistic Americans were a tonic to the French after 3 years of war and horrendous losses. Few Frenchmen by the end of the war had not had some contact with American Doughboys. It was the children who were most enchanted, especially because the Americans had a seemingly inexhaustable supply of sweets. Perhaps even more important that the impact of the Americans on the French, was the French on the Americans. There were of course there were war brides. And rather provincial, culturaly conservative Amnericans were exposed to the more libertine French life style. France was especially mind-opening for African-American soldiers.

Created: 5:15 AM 3/4/2019
Last updated: 7:16 AM 3/4/2019