Francis A. March Jr.'s historical survey of the First World War traces its origins, major campaigns, and the wider changes it brought. Written for general readers, it offers a clear narrative of a global conflict and the societies that endured it. Listeners interested in early twentieth-century history will find it a useful, informative account.
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Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
Produced by Don Kostuch
[Transcriber's Notes]
My father's part in WWI attracted me to this book. I recall him talking briefly about fighting the Bolsheviki in Archangel. "The machine gun bullets trimmed the leaves off the trees, as if it were fall." Like most veterans, he had little else to say.
This book mentions his campaign on page 736; "August 3, 1918.—
President
Wilson announces new policy regarding Russia and agrees to cooperate with Great Britain, France and Japan in sending forces to Murmansk,
Archangel and Vladivostok."
My father's experience seems to be described in the following excerpt from the University of Michigan "The University Record", April 5,
1999.
"Bentley showcases items from World War I 'Polar Bears'"; by Joanne
Nesbit.
"During the summer of 1918, the U.S. Army's 85th Division, made up primarily of men from Michigan and Wisconsin, completed training at Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Mich., and proceeded to
England. The 5,000 troops of the division's 339th Infantry and support units realized that they were not being sent to France to join the great
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