ROBB CENTRE NEWS GEORGE S. ROBB CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF THE GREAT WAR AT PARK UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
ARMISTICE DAY BY ASHLYN WEBER Members of the American Expeditionary Forces awoke on 11 November 1918, awaiting their orders along the FrenchBelgian-German lines of the Western Front, unaware that Allied and German staff had spent the sunrise writing the final armistice arrangement in a train car outside of the Compiègne Forest. The initial draft, dated 7 November, demanded nearly 35 separate conditions from the Allies-including the complete evacuation of German-controlled territories (many that had been held for nearly 50 years), the stripping of heavy artillery and armaments and the forming of blockades to restrict the transport of supplies into Germany. The German command staff had
casualties within the last six-hour period, ending with the death of American Henry N. Gunther, the War’s final victim, at 1059 a.m. Confusion, lack of communication and a general heightened awareness of how impactful the final hours of war would be to the history books, pre-planned attacks remained on schedule, pushes to gain ground continued to act as the main objective and commanding officers were left to their own devices. In the following years, statements from personnel of nearly a dozen Army and Marine Corps divisions made statements expressing disappointment in the lack of clarity from the Supreme Allied Commanders resulting in residual bitterness for years to come.
precious hours to concede, nevertheless, signing the armistice at 0500 hours French-time, 11 November, with peace to return at 1100 hours. An element of confusion remained as to how the Armies would behave in the meantime; some commanding officers believed any losses within the morning would be a waste; others, that the German army would be shown no mercy until the very end. Skirmishes took place all
NOVEMBER CALENDAR 10th: 245th Birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps 20th: Battle of Cambrai (20 November-4 December 1917)
along the Western Front, resulting in nearly 3,000 Allied NOVEMBER 2020, VOLUME 3
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U.S. Marine Corps Birthday BY TIMOTHY WESTCOTT, PH.D.
On Friday, 10 November 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marine Corps, a set of troops “acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required,” independent from the Army, that could assist in disrupting British forces in Colonial waters. Since then, the Marines have boldly served in every American campaign, from the more famous encounters--taking the Castle of Chapultepec, Mexico City, Mexico in 1847, to storming the Island of Iwo Jima, Japan, in 1945--to the lesser known- serving at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, or at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 1898.
The Marines of World War I saw, perhaps, one of their defining moments in the ferocious assault on the German infantry in Belleau Woods, Hauts-de-France, June of 1918. Lasting 26 days, the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments were tasked with clearing the Woods, littered with stationary German machine gun nests, to slow the attempted progression of German troops across the Marne River. The conditions of battle quickly became dependent on fixed bayonet and close-quarter assaults as the Marines holding the wide grain fields just outside of tree line were continuously hit with German waves exiting the Woods. Under near constant contact with enemy artillery and mustard gas, the Marines were successful in pushing back blocks of German divisions by late June, chasing the remaining companies from the Woods and recovering defensive lines that had been broken earlier in the month. On 26 June 1918, marked the end of the most terrible battle the Marines had faced in their history, earning them two French Croix de Guerre with Fourragére, four individuals the Medal of Honor and the legendary title of Teufelshunde-“Devil Dogs”--for their tenacity and incredible vigor. The Robb Centre has the great honor of reviewing five veterans of the Marine Corps under the Valor Medals Review. This November, as we celebrate servicemembers of every generation, we wish all active and veteran members of the United States Marine Corps a Happy 245th Birthday! Semper Fidelis to all my Marine Corps brothers-in-arms.
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Albert E. Thomas BY TANNER WEISER, INTERN
Adopt-A-Book Program BY TIMOTHY WESTCOTT, PH.D.
Researching the lives of servicemembers, military unit histories, official government publications Albert Elwood Thomas was born on 25 October 1888 in Dearborn, Missouri, a farming community, to Benjamin Franklin Thomas and May Anna Mullendore, the eldest of five siblings: three brothers (Jerome “Joe,” Benjamin and Robert) and two sisters (Evalina and Catherine). Mr. Thomas went to DeKalb High School in DeKalb County, Missouri, until transferring to Park Academy in 1907, a program that acted as a precursor to college life that could accommodate students to the academic systems Park College had established. After graduating from the Academy, Albert entered Park College in 1909, a member of the Lowell Literary Club and Debate Team, graduating with the Class of 1913. His objective of attending college was to simply acquire a “foundation for life,” inspiring him to also take at least one course at Chicago University. After graduation, Mr. Thomas moved to Holdenville, Oklahoma, where he worked as a public school teacher for five years until becoming the superintendent of the school district in Holdenville. He was still working in this position when he registered for the Army on 30 May 1917.
and general World War I history encompasses the necessity of past and present scholarship. The Robb Centre team invites our friends and supporters to consider donating needed resources through our “Adopt-A-Book Program.” We have calculated that the average resource cost is $50.
Donors will be recognized by a special designed book plaque placed inside the front cover. Certain selections purchased will be featured on the Robb Centre Facebook page and Twitter account. A monthly display of selections will be exhibited in the Robb Centre and listed in forthcoming Robb Centre News newsletters and
Serving as a Private in a Medical Detachment, 143rd infantry Regiment, 36th Division, United States Army, Albert left Newport News, Virginia, on 18 July 1918 on the U.S. Army Transport Ship Dante Alighieri , arriving
the Valor Magazine .
in Brest, France, on 24 July 1918.
note in the “Leave a comment” box Adopt-a-
Then-Corporal Thomas died of wounds received in action on 18 October 1918 in Orleans, France. Corporal Thomas was disinterred from France and buried in Camden Point Cemetery in Platte County, Missouri. .
Donations may be completed online at http://advancing.park.edu/valormedals. Please Book. The Robb Centre team greatly appreciates your support. Recent purchases: Frank B. Tiebout, A History of the 305th Infantry
The Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, The U.S. Air Service in World War I, Volumes 1-4
Hermann Cron, The Imperial German Army 1914-1918
United States Army, American Expeditionary Forces, Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty One Divisions of the German Army Which Participated in the War
NOVEMBER 2020, VOLUME 3
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Centre Updates BY ASHLYN WEBER AND JOSHUA WESTON
Sponsorship Opportunities
Projects at the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of
Research Investors
the Great War have continued to expand as the Centre's
The George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War
staff explore not only minority experiences in the War,
invites research investors to join the Valor Medals Review
but local servicemembers who left their mark on Park
effort to properly recognize our servicemembers. The
University. The newly formed Park Alumni Killed in
research is supported by legislation (S. 1281/H.R. 2249)
Action and Park's Navy V-12 Collections have been a
signed within the National Defense Authorization Act on
wonderful way to connect the Centre's student staff
20 December 2019,
with their institution, their community and veterans of the Great War. Every opportunity the Robb Centre has to connect current generations to our "forgotten war" is welcome, especially when students can connect on such a personal level, walking the same campus as those they are tracing through time. The Centre staff has dove deeply into the military research of our individuals> As a result, we have come across a plethora of information that has brought new information into light. Although there is much more research to be completed, the information we have gathered has the potential to revise history that was
To discuss investing in the project, please contact:
once commonly thought to be accurate. As we progress
Nathan Marticke, Chief Advancement Officer
on our exciting journey, we continue to establish
Park University - 816-584-6844 -
relationships with local and national bodies while our
nathan.marticke@park.edu.
research becomes more expansive and detailed. During
Give Today! http://advancing.park.edu/valormedals
a time when our nation seems divided, we relentlessly
(No federal appropriations are funding the project)
work to set a status quo of unity and support of all Americans regardless of demographics, and hope to
Strategic Partners
leave a lasting and positive effect through our research,
Partners are critical to advancing the mission of the Valor
communication and outreach.
Medals Review. Endorsements, research support or other non-financial support of the successful completion of the
The entire Robb Centre team express deepest wishes to
Valor Medals Review is invited.
everyone for a safe Thanksgiving holiday. We know this Thanksgiving holiday may be different than past years,
To discuss becoming a strategic partner, please contact:
but family and friends remain at the center of our
Dr. Timothy Westcott, Director
relationships.
George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War, Park University - 816-885-2345 - tim.westcott@park.edu
Centre Staff
Visit Us
Dr. Timothy Westcott Director Email: tim.westcott@park.edu
Website: https://gsr.park.edu
Ms. Ashlyn Weber Associate Director Mr. Joshua Weston Senior Military Analyst
Facebook: George S.Robb Centree for the Study of the Great War LinkedIn: George S Robb Centre at Park University YouTube Channel: George S Robb Centre Twitter: @CentreRobb
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