Figure 1.-- This undated photograph was probanly taken in 1917. It shows two American soldiers with French children. notice the smocks. The newspsper caption read, "American boys popular with French kiddies: The American soldier boy is liked wherever he goes and he is almost idolized in France where his generosity and frank air is [winning] all hearts. The kiddies especially are drawn to the khaki-clad Sammies [reference to Uncle Sam] who spend much of their money in purchasing dainties and sweets for the little Pierres and Joans. The photo shows two of the boys holding French kiddies and surrounded by other admiring youngsters in a French town where they are quartered."

The United States after the Germans resumed unrestricted submarine warfare declared war (April 1917). The United States never formally joined the Allies, but became a an 'Associated Power'. The people in France and the other Allied countries expected a huge American Army to immediately enter the War. The United States had, however, only a very small volunteer army. (Even before the War, European countries--except Britain--had huge armies based on consceiption. This was one reason that had fueld European emmigration to America.) America would have to build an Army and would not be ready for actiion until the following year. Congress passed the Selective Service Act and drafted 2.8 million men. Military bases were opened all over Amnerica. The Unitesd States also began transporting men to France to be trained there. It was soon clear that the Germnans had badly miscalculated. It was one of the greates miscalclations in military history, only exceeded in magnitude by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Not only did the United States begin very rapidly to build an army, but the U-boats were totaly incapable of stopping the American troopships. Eventually 10,000 American soldiers would be reaching France daily untouched by the German U-boats. Several regiments of U.S. Marines were among the first elements of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). The British and French desperatelu needed reinforcements and wanted to integrate the arriving Americans into their units. General Pershing rejected this idea insisting that the AEF would fight as a unit under the American flag. He did agree to permit African-American combat regiments to be used in French divisions. Unlike World War II, in World War I the American troops were headed for France, not Britain. It was the first time that the French met Americans in large mumbers. France was one of the few countries from which people did not emigrate to America in large numbers. The Frencg felt linkages with America because for about a century, America was the only other republic of any consequence. But there has been few likages on the individual and family level. The huge numbers of Americans that flowed into France changed this. 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 Americans were exposed to the more libertine French life style. France was especially mind-opening for Afro-American soldiers. The Germans launched their massive Spring offensive designed to finally win the War (March 1918). German troops penetrated as far into France as Chateau-Thierry, a mere 56 miles from Paris. It is at this point that the AEF is first committed in strength. The fatal error of driving America into the War then became apparent.

Declaration of War (April 1917)

The United States after the Germans resumed unrestricted submarine warfare declared war (April 1917). The United States never formally negotiated a treaty joining the Allies, but became a an 'Associated Power'.

U.S. Army

The people in France and the other Allied countries expected a huge American Army to immediately enter the War. The United States had, however, only a very small volunteer army. (Even before the War, European countries--except Britain--had huge armies based on consceiption. This was one reason that had fueld European emmigration to America.) President Wilson made no effort to expand the Army in the run up to the War. He does not seem to understand that a massive American Army conscript army would be needed.

Building the AEF

America would have to build an Army virtually from scratch. As a result, the AEF would not be ready for action until after Congess declared war. Congress passed the Selective Service Act and drafted 4.7 million men, less than half were trnsported to France. More men were not drafted and ttransported to France only because German military defeats fotced them to ask for an Armistice (November 1918). Military bases were opened all over America.

Transport to France

The Unitesd States began transporting men to France, but these were not trained, combat soldiers. They were sent to France to be trained there. It was important that American soldiers were seen to be arriving in France. Not only did the United States begin very rapidly to build an army, but the U-boats were totaly incapable of stopping the American troopships. The German Admirals Navy had assured the Kaiser that their U-boats would prevent American troop ships from reaching France. In fact the U-boats did not sink a single troop ship ladedn with Dough Noys. (The Germans U-boats did sink to empty troop transport returning to America.) It was soon clear that the Germans had badly miscalculated. It was one of the greates miscalclations in military history, only exceeded in magnitude by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Military Situation

The British and French desperately needed reinforcements and wanted to integrate the arriving Americans into their units. And after the Revolution in Russia, it soon became clar that the Germans woiuld be able to shift forces from the Eastern Front to the Wesrern Front. General Pershing under orders from President Wilson rejected this idea insisting that the AEF would fight as a unit under the American flag. The U.S. Army was unsure what to do with African Americans. President Wilson did agree to permit African-American combat regiments to be used in French divisions. The celebrated Harlem Hellfighters fought as part of the French 16th Division. The Hellfighters were an infantry regiment of the New York Army National Guard. Most wre from Harlem. Thy proved to be the most celebrated African American regiment in World War I. The American name for the regiment was the Black Rattlers. The French named the regiment the Men of Bronze (Hommes de Bronze). The Germans came up wih most memorable name -- the Hell-fighters (Höllenkämpfer). the Regiment would fight as part of the French 16th Division. The French would award the Regiment a unit Croix de Guerre for their fierce fighting at Chateau-Thierry, Belleau Wood and Sechault.

Ariving in France

Eventually 10,000 American soldiers would be reaching France daily untouched by the German U-boats. The German Admirals assured the kaisser that their U-boats. would dedvestate the trroop shops. They failed miserably. Not okne trop ship was sunk on the way to France. Several regiments of U.S. Marines were among the first elements of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). This was bedcause, the marines were a fiorce ijn being when Cingress decakred war. Unlike World War II, in World War I the American troops were headed for France, not Britain. When tghe Germans asked for the Armistice (Novnber 1918), there wee 2 million Amican Dougboys in France and 2 million more preparung to come over. An unlike what the Germans expected, the unytested Anerucans provdd to be ggressive, highly motivatd soldiers.

Training in France

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 Afro-American soldiers.

Commitment

The Germans launched their massive Spring offensive designed to finally win the War (March 1918). German troops penetrated as far into France as Chateau-Thierry, a mere 56 miles from Paris. It is at this point in response to npleas from the Allies, that Pershiping committed the AEF in strength. The Kaiser's fatal error of driving America into the War then became apparent.

Created: 12:11 AM 11/4/2010
Last updated: 3:33 AM 3/4/2019