Now all roads lead to France and heavy is the tread Of the living; but the dead returning lightly dance.
Edward Thomas, Roads
Saturday, March 15, 2025
80th Division in the Meuse-Argonne—A Nifty Five-Star Little Documentary
This video is a semi-chronological compilation of Army Signal Corps films of the 80th Blue Ridge Division around the time of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Nevertheless, it is well worth a look. The actual battle scenes—less than a quarter of the film—are gripping. These include the troops moving through captured territory past disabled artillery and dead enemy soldiers (see image above), the destruction around the village of Béthincourt—an early objective for the division—and a machine gun unit cautiously advancing through a forest to set up their guns. A herd of mules interrupting the Doughboys' advance makes an amusing appearance.
The non-combat sequences are also surprisingly interesting. Live-fire training on machine guns, rifle grenades, and mortars is shown. The best episode involves a visit by General Pershing to Division Headquarters. He is clearly pleased with the performance of the Blue Ridge boys, not at all in his reportedly frequent kick-ass-and-take-numbers frame of mind. Overall, this is a film for real AEF connoisseurs; it has a gritty and authentic "You Are There" feel to it.
You're right about the authentic feel of these scenes. Two that I particularly enjoyed, first the payday which was just like our paydays in the 1960's except that our paymaster always had a .45 ACP lyimg on the table in front of him. Second the secene where the high ranking American officer pins a medal on the high ranking French officer is absolutely priceless. There was a lot of that going on - some awards were even reserved for senior oficers only. Jim Patton US Army 1967-70
You're right about the authentic feel of these scenes. Two that I particularly enjoyed, first the payday which was just like our paydays in the 1960's except that our paymaster always had a .45 ACP lyimg on the table in front of him. Second the secene where the high ranking American officer pins a medal on the high ranking French officer is absolutely priceless. There was a lot of that going on - some awards were even reserved for senior oficers only. Jim Patton US Army 1967-70
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