Now all roads lead to France and heavy is the tread
Of the living; but the dead returning lightly dance.
Edward Thomas, Roads

Monday, December 7, 2020

The Yankee Division at War: A Photo Essay

One of the most active divisions of the AEF was the 26th "Yankee" Division made up of National Guard units of the New England States. It had been activated for the Mexican Border Crisis and was conveniently located on the east coast so it was available for early deployment to Europe. It fought in the three biggest battles of the AEF, the Second Battle of the Marne, the St. Mihiel Offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, as well  spending time deployed along the Chemin des Dames, and the Woevre Plain where it experienced the largest trench raid mounted against American forces at the of village Seicheprey. The Yankee Division paid a heavy price for their services in the Great War, almost 1,800 killed and 12,000 wounded. Here's their story in photos. They are displayed at 580 pixels in width, but if you wish to download them, click on the photo you see and download the original 1000 pixel wide version.





Meal Time at Camp Yale for the 102nd Infantry



In France, Off to the Front



The First Winter in France Was a Tough One



Division Soldiers Meet the Salvation Army



Communion Service in a Cave at the Chemin des Dames



The Division's 103rd Field Artillery



Aftermath of the Seicheprey Raid on the Division



French Children Watching the Division Arrive



A Rare Photo of the Division Attacking at the Opening
of the Allies 18 July 2018 Counteroffensive



The Division's Most Notable Success Was Crushing
the West Flank of the St. Mihiel Salient



The Division Honored for Its Service at St. Mihiel



Moving on to the Final Battle in the Meuse-Argonne

Supply Dump North of Verdun for the Division's Last Battle



By the Final Battle the Division Was Nearly Exhausted




Presidential Review, Christmas Day 1918




USAT Mt. Vernon Arriving in Boston Harbor with Division Troops, 4 April 1919



Ironically, Today, the Most Remembered WWI Veteran of the Division Is Sgt. Stubby (Who Was a Brave Little Dog)








2 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos. We visited the Caves of the 26th. There artwork was terrific and very personal.

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  2. Some fantastic photos, like the schoolkids watching the doughboys arrive.

    ReplyDelete