Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1778

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

.3 linear feet (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

American soldier's World War I photograph album of the 3rd Division in France, 1918-1942 (bulk 1918-1919), Ms. Coll. 1778, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1918-1942 (inclusive) and 1918-1919 (bulk)

Form:

Photograph albums and Photographs

Abstract:

This photograph album, compiled by an unknown soldier in the U.S. Army 3rd Division who was stationed in the Meuse_Argonne region of France during World War I, contains official photographs taken by the U.S. Signal Corps, as well as unofficial souvenir type photographs mainly depicting German soldiers and military equipment. Researchers should note that the album contains images of human remains.

The U.S. 3rd Infantry Division (then known as the 3rd Division) played a pivotal role in halting the final German offensives of World War I, earning the legendary nickname "Rock of the Marne". Activated in November 1917 by the U.S. Army, the 3rd division arrived in France in early 1918 and first saw combat on July 14, 1918, during the Second Battle of the Marne, as part of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). The division went on to participate in the St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne offensives, which were critical in defeating Imperial Germany.

The U.S. Army Signal Corps was responsible for the military's communication networks, aerial reconnaissance, and battlefield photography. The Photographic Section was established in 1917. Signal Corps photographers captured the first official ground and aerial documentation of U.S. troops, Allied forces, and civilian efforts in Europe.

This photograph album, compiled by an unknown soldier in the U.S. Army, 3rd Division who was stationed in the Meuse-Argonne region of France during World War I, contains official photographs taken by the U.S. Signal Corps as well as unofficial souvenir type photographs.

The album primarily contains black and white images of the U.S. Army's 3rd Division photographed by the U.S. Signal Corps. These photographs contained typed captions that were copied verbatim from the Catalogue of Official A.E.F. Photographs taken by the Signal Corps, U.S.A., 1919. These images include portraits of notable officers, battlefields and aftermath, trenches, troop movement, engineering projects, military equipment, casualties, and camp life from May 21, 1918 through February 7, 1919 in the Meuse-Argonne region of France. The 3rd Division participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and several photos document its positions in Chateau Thierry, Montfaucon, Viffort, Le Charmel, Glad, Bois D'la Jute, and Janvier Farms in Monthurel. There are also several images of the 3rd Division in Germany as part of the Army of Occupation in December, 1918. These official Signal Corps photos are supplemented with smaller unofficial souvenir type photos mainly depicting German soldiers and military equipment.

In addition to the photographs there are maps of the western front in France, newspaper clippings, French Francs, a billet for possibly the SS Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, which transported a detachment of the 3rd Division back to the U.S. in August, 1919, and a card from UMC (Remington Arms Union Metallic Cartridge Company) Bridgeport Works "carried to front near Montfaucon, France, October 2, 1918."

Researchers should note that the album contains images of human remains.