ww1

Doughboys zu Lëtzebuerg The First American Liberation 1918

Diekirch

Publisher: Musée National d'Histoire Militaire Authors: Benoît Niederkorn, Elisabeth Einsweiler, Charles Lux, Philippe Victor Graphic design: Agence de Publicité Lezarts Sàrl, Diekirch Cover motifs: Doughboys passing through Mersch, 30 November 1919, (NARA), Luxembourgish people and doughboys in a pub in Beaufort, 1919, (MNHM).

Print run: 750 Copyright: © Musée National d'Histoire Militaire (www.mhnm.lu) ISBN: ISBN 978-2-9199612-1-4 We thank all institutions and individuals for permission to reprint. We have tried to find all copyright holders.

If we have not indicated a source or have not indicated it completely, please send a note to the Musée National d'Histoire Militaire, Diekirch.

Diekirch 2021

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Index Foreword / Virwuert

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The First American Liberation 1918

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Turning the tide - The A.E.F. in France

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Liberation

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The A.E.F.’s facilities in Luxembourg

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A soldier’s life in Luxembourg

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„New boys in town“

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To cheer our boys up

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Conflicts and other incidents

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„Lëtzebuergesch“ Doughboys

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Going home

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Culture of remembrance

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Credits

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Foreword In 1979, U.S. historian and diplomat George F. Kennan characterized World War I as the “greatest seminal catastrophe of this century”. Ever since, this expression has become a “mainstream” synonym for WWI and its impact on 20th century history.

In Europe, the year 2018 saw numerous centennial commemorations of the end of WWI - a stark reminder of the importance of reconciliation, the preservation of Peace and the dangers inherent to aggressive nationalism.

While World War One has long been equally underrepresented as a historiographical research field in Luxembourg and in the U.S.A., the centennial allowed for a thorough scientific re-examination of its impact on both countries, the interpretative framework focussing on more social and cultural subjects.

Among these initiatives, the temporary exhibition ”Doughboys in Luxembourg - the First American Liberation 1918 ” organised in 2019 by the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg provided new perspectives on a largely unknown 7 months-intermezzo, when more than 40.000 American soldiers were stationed in freshly liberated Luxembourg in the aftermath of the conflict.

Following the exhibition, this catalog allows to delve deeper into the subject of the social interactions between the Luxembourgish civilian population and its liberators from the New World. With this publication, the National Museum of Military History highlights a period that is still relatively unknown to the general public and makes an important contribution to coming to terms with our past. I congratulate the museum team and all those who have contributed to this significant project, and wish this publication the success it deserves.

Sam TANSON Culture Minister

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Virwuert 1979 huet den amerikaneschen Historiker an Diplomat George F. Kennan den Éischte Weltkrich als „d’Urkatastroph vun dësem Joerhonnert" bezeechent. Zënterhier ass dësen Ausdrock zu engem „Mainstream“-Synonym fir den Éischte Weltkrich a seng Auswierkungen op d’Geschicht vum 20. Joerhonnert ginn.

An Europa stoung d’Joer 2018 am Zeeche vu villen Honnertjoerfeieren zum Gedenken un d'Enn vum Éischte Weltkrich - eng däitlech Erënnerung un d’Bedeitung vun der Reconciliatioun, den Erhalt vum Fridden an d‘Geforen, déi den aggressiven Nationalismus mat sech bréngt.

War den éischte globale Konflikt als historiographescht Fuerschungsgebitt zu Lëtzebuerg an an den U.S.A. laang am selwechte Mooss ënnerrepresentéiert, sou huet de Centenaire eng méi grëndlech wëssenschaftlech Iwwerpréiwung vun den Auswierkunge vum Éischte Weltkrich op dës zwee Länner bewierkt, woubäi sech d’historesch Interpretatioun éischter op méi sozial a kulturell Theme fokusséiert huet.

Zu dësen Initiative gehéiert och d‘Sonderausstellung "Doughboys zu Lëtzebuerg - the First American Liberation 1918", déi 2019 vum Musée National d'Histoire Militaire zu Dikrech a Kooperatioun mat der US-Ambassade zu Lëtzebuerg organiséiert gouf, an nei Perspektiven op ee gréisstendeels onbekannten Intermezzo vu 7 Méint offréiert, wou méi wéi 40.000 amerikanesch Zaldoten am frësch befreite Lëtzebuerg stationéiert waren.

Uschléissend un d‘Ausstellung, kann een sech elo unhand vun dësem Katalog méi déif an de Sujet vun de sozialen Interaktiounen tëscht der lëtzebuergescher Zivilbevëlkerung an hire Befreier aus der Neier Welt eraliesen. De Musée National d’Histoire Militaire beliicht heimat eng Period, déi an der Reegel nach relativ wéineg beim breede Publikum bekannt ass, a leescht e wichtege Bäitrag fir d’Opschaffe vun eiser Vergaangenheet. Der Ekipp vum Musée an allen, déi un dësem bedeitende Projet matgewierkt hunn, feliciéieren ech ganz häerzlech a wënschen dëser Publikatioun de Succès, deen se verdéngt.

Sam TANSON Kulturministesch

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Arrival of the U.S. expeditionary forces in Luxembourg City, 21 November 1918 (Coll. Kugener).

The First American Liberation 1918 The liberation of Luxembourg by the U.S. Army in September 1944 has left an indelible mark on Luxembourgish collective memory.

By contrast, the liberation of the Grand Duchy by American troops at the end of the First World War remains largely unknown. After four years of occupation, the German army finally left Luxembourg after the Armistice of 11 November 1918. Their retreat was closely followed by the arrival of the victorious Entente armies.

Soldiers of the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) were the first to be welcomed as liberators by the people of Luxembourg. In accordance with their mission to guard the supply lines of the newly formed Army of Occupation in Germany, two Infantry Divisions (the 33rd and the 5th) even had a prolonged stay in the Grand Duchy. This exhibition aims to tell the story of the American soldiers in Luxembourg and their cohabitation with the local population.

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Postcard of U.S. soldiers crossing the Adolphe bridge, Luxembourg City (MNHM).

Dei éischt amerikanesch Liberatioun 1918 D’Befreiung vu Lëtzebuerg duerch d’U.S. Army am September 1944 ass omnipräsent an der Lëtzebuergescher Erënnerungskultur.

Manner bekannt bleift dogéint déi éischt Liberatioun vum Grand-Duché duerch amerikanesch Zaldote - déi vun 1918. No véier Joer Occupatioun hunn déi däitsch Truppe Lëtzebuerg als Konsequenz vun der Armistice vum 11. November 1918 verloosse mussen. Kuerz dorop sinn d’Arméie vun der Entente an déi deemoleg besate Gebieter ageréckt.

D’Zaldote vun den American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) goufen doduercher als éischt vun der Lëtzebuerger Populatioun als Befreier empfaangen. Zwou Infanterie-Divisiounen (déi 33. an déi 5.) sollten am Endeffekt en verlängerten Openthalt am Grand-Duché hunn, dëst verbonne mat hirer Missioun d’Versuergungslinne vun der néi gegrënnter Army of Occupation an Däitschland ze halen.

Dës Ausstellung zielt d’Geschicht vun den amerikaneschen Zaldoten zu Lëtzebuerg an hiert Zesummeliewe mat de Lëtzebuerger.

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Turning the tide The A.E.F. in France

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President Woodrow Wilson asking Congress to declare war on Germany, 2 April 1917, (Wikimedia Commons).

Declaring war on Germany On 6 April 1917, the United States of America declared war on Germany. Until then, American president Woodrow Wilson had opted for a neutral position in the global conflict.

Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare as well as an intercepted telegram from German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann that proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico accelerated the decision of the U.S. Congress to enter the war.

D’Krichserklä�rung un Dä�itschland De 6. Abrëll 1917 hunn d’U.S.A. Däitschland de Krich erkläert. Bis zu dësem Zäitpunkt hat den amerikanesche President Wilson un der Neutralitéit am globale Konflikt festgehalen. Een ofgefaangenen Telegramm vum däitschen Ausseminister Arthur Zimmermann, an deem eng Allianz tëschent Mexiko an Däitschland proposéiert gouf, genee wéi deen onageschränkten däitschen U-Boot-Krich hunn dozou gefouert, datt den U.S. Kongress am Fréijoer 1917 decidéiert huet, an de Krich anzetrieden.

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Zimmermann Telegram: Encrypted German telegram to the Mexican President proposing a military alliance against the United States, (Wikimedia Commons).

Creation of the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) In May 1917, General John J. Pershing was appointed commander in chief of the American Expeditionary Forces. The first American soldiers reached Europe by June 1917, but it was not until spring 1918 that the A.E.F. fought their first major battles alongside French and British troops. By July 1918, more than a million American soldiers were stationed in Europe.

Due to this increase in troops, the Entente managed to turn the tide of the war in its favour.

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Propaganda poster for enlistment in the U.S. Army, ca. 1917, (Wikimedia).

Troops of 129th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Division, coming ashore in English lightar, Brest, France, 24 May 1918, (NARA, Coll. Kugener).

Kreatioun vun den American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) Am Mee 1917 gouf dem Generol John J. Pershing de Kommando iwwert d’American Expeditionary Forces iwwerdroen. Déi éischt amerikanesch Zaldote koumen am Juni 1917 an Europa un, mee eréischt am Mee 1918 sinn d’A.E.F. an déi éischt grouss Schluechten un der Säit vun de franséischen an de briteschen Truppen verwéckelt ginn. Vun Juli 1918 un waren méi wéi eng Millioun amerikanesch Zaldoten an Europa stationéiert. Duerch dës enorm Verstäerkung konnt d’Entente am Endeffekt de Krich zu hire Gonschten dréinen.

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General John J. Pershing and the Grand Duchess Marie Adelheid at the Grand Ducal Palace, 21 November 1918, (NARA).

John J. PERSHING (1860-1948) General John J. ‘Black Jack‘ Pershing was born in 1860 in Laclede, Missouri. Before being appointed Commander of the A.E.F. in May 1917, he went on to fight in the Indian wars, earned his silver star in the Spanish-American War, led the punitive Expedition against the Mexican rebel Pancho Villa. His stellar military records Pershing was promoted in 1919 to the rank of "General of the Armies", the highest possible rank in the U.S. Army. In 1948, he died at the age of 87 in Washington D.C., (NARA).

John J. PERSHING (1860-1948) De Generol John J. “Black Jack” Pershing gouf 1860 zu Laclede, Missouri gebuer. Éier en am Mee 1917 Chef vun den A.E.F. gouf, hat hien sech un de Kämpf géint d’Indianer bedeelegt, sech am Spuenesch-Amerikanesche Krich een Silver Star verdéngt an d‘Strofexpeditioun géint den mexikanesche Rebell Pancho Villa ugefouert. Duerch seng glänzend Militärkarriär ass hien 1919 zum General of the Armies, dem héchste Rang an der U.S. Arméi, ernannt ginn. 1948 ass hien am Alter vu 87 Joer zu Washington D.C. gestuerwen.

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General John J. Pershing, General Headquarters Chaumont, France, 19 October 1918, (Coll. Kugener).

Cabinet photo, soldier of the 33rd Division, Diekirch 1919, (Photo Maroldt, MNHM).

Soldier of 129th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Division, in Medernach, January 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

Doughboys Doughboy (dated, colloquial): generic term for a soldier of the United States Army. The term, initially used in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), became widespread during World War I to refer to soldiers belonging to the American Expeditionary Forces, (Coll. Kugener).

Doughboys Doughboy (vereelzt, ëmgangssproochlech): allgemenge Begrëff fir een amerikaneschen Zaldot. De Begrëff koum ursprénglech am mexikanesch-amerikanesche Krich (1846-1848) op, ass dunn am Éischte Weltkrich méi geleefeg ginn, fir Zaldote vum Amerikaneschen Expeditiounscorps ze bezeechnen.

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Battery C, 6th Field Artillery of the 1st Division in action, Beaumont, France, 12 September 1918, (NARA, McCormick Research Center, First Division Museum at Cantigny Park).

The salient of St. Mihiel The battle of St. Mihiel was the first offensive led by the A.E.F. in the First World War. On 12 September 1918, 550.000 American and 110.000 French soldiers launched an attack to break through the German lines at the salient of St. Mihiel with the objective to capture the city of Metz. Aware of an imminent offensive, the Germans began to withdraw on 11 September. Hence, German artillery was not in place by the time of the attack and the frontline was only poorly defended. American progress was faster than expected and the A.E.F. suffered fewer casualties than feared. On 13 September, the bulge that the Germans had held on the western front for four years was entirely captured.

De Frontaschnëtt vu St. Mihiel D'Schluecht vu St. Mihiel war déi éischt Offensiv am Éischte Weltkrich, déi vun den A.E.F. ugefouert gouf. 550.000 Amerikaner an 110.000 franséisch Zaldoten hunn den 12. September 1918 eng Offensiv lancéiert, fir duerch déi däitsch Linne bei St. Mihiel ze briechen an duerno Metz anzehuelen. Déi Däitsch waren sech bewosst, dass eng Attack kuerz bevirstoe géif an hate vum 11. September un ugefaangen, hier Truppen an hiert Material zeréckzezéien. Doduerch war déi däitsch Artillerie am Ufank vun der Offensiv net op der Plaz, an d’Front war beim amerikaneschen Ugrëff relativ schwaach verdeedegt. D’amerikanesch Zaldote konnte méi séier wéi erwaart virstoussen an d’Afferzuel war vill méi niddereg wéi gefaart. Deen Aschnëtt un der Westfront, deen zënter 4 Joer fest an däitscher Hand war, konnt an engem eenzegen Dag ganz ageholl ginn.

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Cartoony by Butler, (McCormick Research Center, First Division Museum at Cantigny Park).

The Meuse-Argonne offensive The attack in the Meuse-Argonne area remains the largest offensive in U.S. military history to date. It involved more than a million American soldiers and lasted from 26 September until the Armistice on 11 November. The attack was part of the “Hundred Days Offensive” which effectively put an end to the First World War. As the area between the river Meuse and the Argonne forest was defended by an elaborate German defensive system, the American attack was slower than expected. The Argonne forest was finally cleared on 31 October but fighting continued in the sector until the main goal was achieved on 10 November, when French troops cut the rail line in Sedan. The following day, the Armistice was signed in Compiègne. Despite being the most significant victory of the A.E.F., the Meuse-Argonne offensive is also remembered as the deadliest battle in U.S. military history: more than 26.000 American soldiers were killed in action.

D’Meuse-Argonne-Offensiv D’Meuse-Argonne-Offensiv bleift bis zum haitegen Dag déi gréissten Offensiv an der amerikanescher Militärgeschicht. Un der Schluecht, déi vum 26. September 1918 bis zum Waffestëllstand gedauert huet, waren am Endeffekt méi wéi eng Millioun amerikanesch Zaldote bedeelegt. D’Offensiv war een Deel vun der „Honnert-Deeg-Offensiv“ déi d’Enn vum Éischte Weltkrich besigele sollt. An der Regioun tëschent dem Floss Meuse an dem wäitleefegen Argonne-Bësch haten déi däitsch Truppen een elaboréierte Verdeedegungssystem opgebaut. Doduerch bedéngt konnten d’Amerikaner net esou séier virstousse wéi gehofft, allerdéngs konnt den Argonne-Bësch trotz héije Verloschter schliisslech den 31. Oktober ageholl ginn. Och weiderhin gouf de Sektor haart ëmkämpft, bis den 10. November d’Haaptzil erreecht gouf: franséisch Truppe konnte bei Sedan d’Eisebunnslinn duerchtrennen.

Den Dag drop gouf de Waffestëllstand zu Compiègne ënnerschriwwen. D’Meuse-ArgonneOffensiv bleift déi gréisste Victoire vun der A.E.F. am Éischte Weltkrich, mee gläichzäiteg awer och mat méi wéi 26.000 Doudegen déi déidlechst Schluecht an der amerikanescher Geschicht.

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Infantry soldiers of the 33rd Division in their trenches, 1918, (NARA).

The 5th and 33rd Infantry Divisions on the battlefields in France The 5th U.S. Infantry Division was a regular army division and was activated in December 1917. Also referred to as “Red Diamond”, it arrived in France in May 1918. It then distinguished itself during the offensives of St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne. By armistice day, no other division had advanced as far into enemy territory as the 5th Division. The unit first occupied southern Luxembourg and later the whole Grand Duchy.

The 33rd U.S. Infantry Division was an all-Illinois division, its core forming the Illinois National Guard. The 33rd Division was activated in July 1917 and was sent to France the following year in May. The division first fought in the battle of Le Hamel before taking part in the Somme, the St. Mihiel and the MeuseArgonne offensives. After 11 November, the 33rd division was ordered to occupy the areas of Diekirch and Echternach in Northern and Eastern Luxembourg.

Déi 5. an déi 33. Infanteriedivisoun op de Schluechtfelder a Frankräich Déi 5. Infanteriedivisioun war eng regulär Arméidivisioun, déi am Dezember 1917 aktivéiert gouf.

D’“Red Diamond” koum am Mee 1918 a Frankräich un. D’Divisioun huet sech dunn virun allem an de Schluechte vu St. Mihiel a Meuse-Argonne ausgezeechent. Keng aner Divisioun ass esou wäit op Feindgebitt virgestouss ier de Waffestëllstand ënnerschriwwe gouf. Déi 5. Divisioun huet fir d’éischt de Süde vu Lëtzebuerg besat, spéiderhin da souguer dee ganze Grand-Duché.

Déi 33. Infanteriedivisioun huet ganz aus Zaldoten aus dem Illinois bestanen, vu datt hiere Kär aus der Illinois National Guard gebild gouf. Déi 33. Divisioun gouf am Juli 1917 aktivéiert an am Mee 1918 a Frankräich geschéckt. Dës Divisioun huet fir d‘éischt an der Schluecht vu Le Hamel gekämpft, an duerno eng Roll an de Schluechte vun der Somme, St. Mihiel an der MeuseArgonne gespillt. No dem 11. November krut d’Divisioun den Uerder, fir d’Emgéigend vun Dikrech an Iechternach am Norden an Osten vum Land ze besetzen.

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Traffic congestion on the road to the front, Esnes-en-Argonnes, 29th September 1918, (NARA, Coll. Kugener).

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Liberation

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Postcard showing the retreating German troops of the 37th Division in front of the Hôtel Brasseur in Luxembourg-City, 20 November 1918, (Coll. Kugener).

The Army of Occupation The Armistice of 11 November 1918 forced the German army to peacefully evacuate all occupied territories within ten days, including the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Furthermore, the Armistice laid down the occupation of the left bank of the Rhine by Entente troops. The American Third Army (Army of Occupation) was to occupy the land strip from Luxembourg’s eastern border to the German town of Coblenz - a sector that would be later known as the “Coblenz bridgehead”.

D’Army of Occupation De Waffestëllstand vum 11. November 1918 huet virgesinn, dass déi däitsch Truppen all besaten Territoire banne 10 Deeg friddlech raume missten - dorënner och de säit 1914 besate Grand-Duché. Ausserdeem huet de Waffestëllstand festgeluecht, datt dat lénkst Ufer vum Rhäin vun den Truppe vun der Entente besat géif ginn. Virgesi war, dass déi 3. Amerikanesch Arméi (Army of Occupation) de Secteur vun der ëstlecher Lëtzebuerger Grenz bis bei déi däitsch Stad Koblenz besetze sollt - e Secteur deen als „Brückenkopf Koblenz“ an d’Geschicht agaangen ass.

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Official communication on German troop withdrawal, 9 November 1918, Luxembourg (Coll. Ville de Diekirch).

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Luxembourg, 20 November 1918, (NARA).

German retreat, Diekirch, November 1918, (Photo Tippmann, Coll. Kugener).

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German retreat, Echternach, November 1918, (Photo Bellwald, Coll. Kugener).

Mersch, 11 November 1918, (ANLux, AE-00638).

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German retreat, Luxembourg-City, 19 November 1918, (NARA).

German retreat, Luxembourg-City, November 1918, (Photo Ahnen, Coll. Kugener).

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Pershing’s Proclamation to the people of Luxembourg, 18 November 1918, (Coll. Mierscher Geschichtsfrënn).

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Group portrait of the Parker reconnaissance group in Luxembourg-City, 20 November 1918, (Coll. Kugener).

Letter by General John J. Pershing to the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, 19 November 1918, (ANLux, AE-00643).

The Proclamation On 18 November 1918, General John J. Pershing addressed the people of Luxembourg in a written proclamation. The document stated that American troops would pass through Luxembourg and that some units would stay in the Grand Duchy to secure the military supply chain and the lines of communication of the American Army of Occupation in Germany. Pershing vowed to be on friendly terms with the people of Luxembourg and announced a policy of noninterference in the Grand Duchy’s affairs.

D’Proklamatioun Den 18. November 1918 huet den amerikanesche Generol John J. Pershing sech mat enger schrëftlecher Proklamatioun un d’Lëtzebuerger Vollek adresséiert. D’Dokument verkënnegt, datt amerikanesch Truppen duerch Lëtzebuerg kéimen an dass e puer Unitéiten am Grand-Duché bleiwe sollte fir de militäreschen Nachschub ze assuréieren a fir d’Kommunikatiounslinne vun der Besatzungsarméi an Däitschland ze garantéieren. De Generol Pershing huet dernieft eng frëndschaftlech Relatioun mat dem Lëtzebuerger Vollek versprach a verséchert, dass d’Amerikaner sech net an dem Grand-Duché seng Affären amësche wäerten.

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Troop review in front of the Grand Ducal Palace in presence of General John J. Pershing and Grand Duchess Marie Adelheid, Luxembourg, 21 November 1918, (NARA).

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General John J. Pershing, Grand Duchess Marie Adelheid, Princess Charlotte and their entourage inspecting U.S. troops from the balcony of the Grand Ducal Palace, 21 November 1918, (NARA).

Doughboys marching past curious crowds in Luxembourg-City on 21 November 1918, (Photo Ahnen, Coll. Kugener).

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Welcoming the troops in Esch-sur-Alzette, 21 November 1918, (NARA).

Press-clipping, in: Arizona Republican, 22 November 1918, (Coll. Kugener).

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U.S. troops at the intersection of the Boulevard Royal and the Grand-Rue, Luxembourg-City, 21 November 1918, (NARA).

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Soldiers of the 1st U.S. Division march down the decorated main street of Esch-sur-Alzette, 20 November 1918, (NARA).

Welcoming the doughboys The first American officers crossed Luxembourg’s southern border on 18 November 1918. Together with the local authorities, they discussed the imminent arrival of the American units and enquired about the German retreat. Meanwhile, local committees were created throughout the Grand Duchy to prepare the festivities to welcome the doughboys.

On 21 November, the A.E.F. made their grand entrance into the capital. The parade in front of the Palais was attended by Grand Duchess Marie Adelheid and General John J. Pershing. Throughout Luxembourg, the local population enthusiastically greeted the American soldiers as liberators.

D’Begréissung vun den Doughboys Déi éischt amerikanesch Offizéier koumen den 18. November 1918 iwwer déi südlech Grenz an de Grand-Duché. Zesumme mat de Vertrieder vun de Gemengen hunn sie iwwert d’Arrivée vun den amerikaneschen Truppen an de Réckzuch vun den Däitschen diskutéiert. An der Tëschenzäit sinn am ganze Land Comitéë geschafe ginn fir d’Festivitéite fir d’Entrée vun den Doughboys ze organiséieren.

Den 21. November koum et schliisslech zu der grousser Entrée vun den A.E.F. an d’Stad Lëtzebuerg. D’Grande-Duchesse Marie-Adelheid an de Generol John J. Pershing hunn dobäi d’Parad vum Palais aus inspizéiert. Déi amerikanesch Zaldote goufen hirersäits vun de Lëtzebuerger begeeschtert als Befreier empfaangen.

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Americans troops enter Luxembourg near the Belgian border at Clemency, 20 November 1918, (NARA).

Welcome arch “For Our Deliverers� in Mersch, 30 November 1918, (NARA).

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“March on The Rhine” song by the 7th Army Corps, Germany 1919, (Coll. Kugener). / (right) Postcard. (Coll. Kugener).

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Units of the 1st U.S. Division cross the bridge at Grevenmacher into Germany, 1 December 1918, (NARA).

March to the Rhine Most of the U.S. soldiers were only temporary visitors to the Grand Duchy: an estimated 200.000 doughboys passed through Luxembourg on their way to occupying the left bank of the Rhine in Germany. As the German retreat turned out to be slower than expected, the American Army of Occupation rested in Luxembourg until 1 December. From this date onwards, the doughboys crossed the Moselle and Sauer border bridges into Germany. Only the 33rd and parts of the 5th Infantry Division stayed and established their headquarters in the small Luxembourgish cities of Diekirch and Esch-sur-Alzette for several months.

De Wee bis un de Rhäin Déi meescht amerikanesch Zaldote waren nëmmen temporär Visiteuren am Grand-Duché: ongeféier 200.000 Doughboys sinn duerch Lëtzebuerg duerchgezu fir dat lénkst Ufer vum Rhäin an Däitschland ze besetzen. Wëll de Réckzuch vun den Däitsche méi lues wéi erwaart virugoung, ass d’Besatzungsarméi bis den 1. Dezember zu Lëtzebuerg bliwwen.

No dësem Datum hunn d’Zaldoten dunn d’Musel an d’Sauer a Richtung Däitschland passéiert.

Nëmmen déi 33. an Deeler vun der 5. Infanteriedivisioun hu fir e puer Méint hiert Haaptquartéier zu Dikrech an Esch/Uelzecht opgeschloen.

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The A.E.F.’s facilities in Luxembourg

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The “Brill” school in Esch-sur-Alzette, 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

The “Brill” school in Esch-sur-Alzette The “Brill” school served as headquarters to the 5th U.S. Infantry Division during their stationing in Luxembourg.

All in all, around 5000 soldiers were billeted in Esch-surAlzette, making it the single most important concentration of American troops in the Grand Duchy. The headquarters offices alone took up 24 school rooms. All other schools in town were occupied by American soldiers and for several months, no teaching was possible.

D’Brill-Schoul zu Esch/Uelzecht

Portrait of 1st Lt. Herbert S. Havens, affected to 5th Division’s Message Center, December 1918, (NARA).

Wärend hirem Openthalt zu Lëtzebuerg huet déi 5. Infanteriedivisioun hiert Haaptquartéier an der Brill-Schoul opgeschlo. Am grousse Ganze ware 5000 Zaldoten zu Esch/Uelzecht stationéiert - dëst war déi héchste Konzentratioun vun amerikaneschen Zaldoten am GrandDuché. D’Personal vum Haaptquartéier eleng huet 24 Klassesäll fir hier Büroe gebraucht. All eenzel Schoul zu Esch war vun amerikaneschen Zaldote besat a fir e puer Méint sinn all Coursen ausgefall.

35

Men of the 108th Field Signal Battalion connect telephone wires to the American headquarters in the Hôtel des Ardennes, Diekirch, 24 December 1918, (NARA).

The Hôtel des Ardennes in Diekirch The Hôtel des Ardennes in Diekirch served as headquarters to the 33rd Division during their stay in Luxembourg. The entire hotel was rented by the 33rd Division and most officers even had individual rooms. In December 1918, the local newspaper Landwirt claimed that altogether, more than 100 officers were stationed in town. The Hôtel des Ardennes also served as a venue for officers’ balls, while the balls for common soldiers were held in the Hôtel de l’Europe. In addition, several other service branches set up their offices in the hotel. One of themwas the Signal Corps, which was responsible for military communications.

Other than taking charge of telephone and telegraph communications, the Signal Corps also produced the official photographs of the A.E.F..

Den Hôtel des Ardennes zu Dikrech Den Hôtel des Ardennes war d’Haaptquartéier vun der 33. Divisioun wärend hirer Stationéierung zu Dikrech. Dee ganzen Hotel war vun der 33. Divisioun gelount ginn an déi meescht Offizéier haten hier eegen Zëmmer am Gebai. Laut engem Artikel aus der Lokalzeitung Landwirt waren am Dezember 1918 méi wéi 100 Offizéier zu Dikrech stationéiert. Am Hôtel des Ardennes goufen och Baler fir d’Offizéier organiséiert, wärend d’Baler vun den einfachen Zaldoten am Hôtel de l’Europe stattfonnt hunn. Dernierft hunn nach verschidden aner militäresch Servicen hir Büroen am Hotel installéiert. Een dorënner war de Signal Corps, deen engersäits fir d’MilitärKommunikatioun (Telegramm an d’Telefon) responsabel war, anerersäits awer och Zaldote mat berufflechem Hannergrond an der Fotografiebranche beschäftegt huet. Des Zaldote ware fir déi offiziell Fotoe vun der A.E.F verantwortlech.

36

The division transferred its headquarters from the school to the HĂ´tel des Ardennes in February 1919 so that the children could go back to school again, Diekirch, 24 December 1918, (NARA).

Inside office room of the HQ, Diekirch, December 1918, (Coll. Kugener).

37

Evacuation Hospital 13 in Walferdange, 1919, (Photo Wirol, Coll. Kugener).

Group picture of the 1st platoon of the Evacuation Hospital 13, June 1919, (MNHM).

38

Group picture of the staff and patients of Evacuation Hospital 13, 1919, (MNHM).

The Evacuation Hospital Nr. 13 in Walferdange The A.E.F. established a military hospital for around 1.000 patients in the Castle of Walferdange. Numerous victims of the Spanish flu were treated there, which took a heavy toll among the patients. A parcel of the local cemetery was rented by the A.E.F. in order to bury the deceased soldiers and a plaque at the cemetery commemorates the 71 American soldiers that rested there before being transferred to the United States. In some urgent cases, civil victims of accidents were also transported to the A.E.F.’s Evacuation Hospital in Walferdange.

D’Evacuation Hospital N° 13 zu Walfer Am Walfer Schlass hat d’A.E.F. ee Lazarett fir ongeféier 1.000 Patiente ageriicht. Vill Affer vun der Spuenescher Gripp goufen am Schlass behandelt, allerdéngs huet net jiddereen iwwerlieft. Fir déi Verstuerwe war dofir extra eng Parzell um Walfer Kierfecht un d’A.E.F. verlount ginn. Eng Plaquette erënnert haut um Kierfecht un déi 71 amerikanesch Zaldoten, déi virun hirem Rapatriement an Amerika hei louchen. Och zivil Affer vun Accidenter sinn heiansdo bei Urgencen an den Evacuation Hospital op Walfer transportéiert ginn.

Press-clipping, 7 February 1919, (ANLux, ET-DH-026).

39

Military funeral procession, Echternach, May 1919, (Photo Bellwald, Coll. Kugener).

The American military cemetery in Echternach One of the three American military cemeteries in the Grand Duchy was set up in Echternach (the other two were in Walferdange and in Ellange). On 30 May, 1919, a large ceremony was held at the Echternach cemetery for Memorial Day. The Tageblatt reported that around 400 soldiers attended the commemoration alongside many Luxembourgers. Today, no trace can be found of the soldiers’ graves: they have all been exhumed and moved to the United States to rest with their families.

Den Amerikanesche Kierfecht zu Iechternach Zu Iechternach war duerch d’A.E.F. ee vun dräi amerikanesche Kierfechter am GrandDuché ugeluecht ginn, an déi aner zwee waren zu Walfer an zu Elleng.

Den 30. Mee 1919 gouf hei eng grouss Zeremonie fir Memorial Day ofgehaal.

D’Tageblatt schreiwt, datt ongeféier 400 Zaldoten a vill Lëtzebuerger där Zeremonie bäigewunnt hunn. All Zaldote si nom Krich exhuméiert an an d’Vereenegt Staaten transportéiert ginn fir bei hire Familljemembere begruewen ze ginn, wouduerch een hautdesdaags keng Trace méi vun den Zaldoten hire Griewer fënnt.

40

Soldiers of the 33rd Division fire 37mm guns at a shooting range near Vianden, 18 January 1919, (NARA).

Training grounds near Vianden Even though the armistice had been signed in November 1918, American troops continued to exercise for the eventuality of continuing hostilities.

In Vianden, the doughboys trained their artillery and machine gun crews. At a certain point in May 1919, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Émile Reuter complained to the American military authorities that several accidents had already happened in the fields around Vianden and the Our river, as the grounds were saturated with abandoned shells.

Truppenübungsplaz bei Veianen Obwuel de Waffestëllstand den 11. November 1918 ënnerschriwwe gi war, hunn d’amerikanesch Truppe fir de Fall datt kee Friddensvertrag géif ausgehandelt ginn, zu Lëtzebuerg weidertrainéiert.

Shooting range near Vianden, (NARA).

Zu Veianen hunn d’Doughboys ënner anerem hier Artillerie a Maschinnegewierer ageschoss. Am Mee 1919 huet de Lëtzebuerger Premierminister Émile Reuter dowéinst bei der amerikanescher Militäradministratioun intervenéiert, well an de mat Munitioun kontaminéierte Felder ronderëm d’Our ëmmer nees Accidenter geschitt sinn.

41

The 339th Bakery Company in Ettelbrück in December 1918, (NARA).

The 33rd Division Bakery in Ettelbrück The 339th U.S. Bakery Company set up several huge metal ovens close to the Ettelbrück train station in January 1919.

Every day, thousands of loaves of bread were baked there to be distributed among the soldiers of the 33rd Division.

D’Bäckerei vun der 33. Divisioun zu Ettelbréck D’339th U.S. Bakery Company huet am Januar 1919 e puer riseg Metalliewen bei der Ettelbrécker Gare gebaut.

Hei sinn all Dag dausende Leiwer Brout gebak an duerno un d’Zaldote vun der 33. Divisioun zu Lëtzebuerg verdeelt ginn.

Soldiers in front of the ovens, (NARA).

42

A mechanical repair shop of the 42nd Division in action, Mersch, 11 December 1918, (NARA).

The Mobile Ordnance Repair Shop (M.O.R.S.) in Mersch During the war, Mobile Ordnance Repair Shops were crucial to supply the infantry divisions with functioning automatic rifles. As the reparation of damaged weapons was usually a matter of urgency, the M.O.R.S. always operated close to the front.

D’Mobile Ordnance Repair Shops (M.O.R.S.) zu Miersch Wärend dem Krich waren d’Mobile Ordnance Repair Shops extrem wichteg fir d’Infanteriedivisioune mat funktiounstüchtegen automatesche Gewierer ze versuergen. Vu datt d’Reparatur vu beschiedegten automatesche Waffen esou séier wéi méiglech geschéie sollt, hunn d’M.O.R.S. ni wäit ewech vun der Front geschafft.

Mechanical repair shop of the 33rd Division, Mersch, 1919, (ANLux, ET-DH-026).

43

A soldier’s life in Luxembourg

Soldiers pass their free time in a 5th Division camp by playing cards and reading newspapers, March 1919, (Photo Henri, ANLux, ET-DH-026).

44

Doughboys shave and wash in the open, Ernster, 22 November 1918, (NARA).

A soldier’s life in Luxembourg This presentation of a soldier’s daily routine is mostly based on an article on the daily life of a 5th Division soldier in Dudelange as taken from the Tageblatt on 4 December 1918.

It has been completed by various letters and diaries from A.E.F. soldiers.

6 AM - 7 AM



Wake-up call. The soldier has one hour to get ready. Hygiene is highly important, which is why every soldier gets a set of basic toiletries upon entry in the A.E.F. (toothbrush, razor, towels etc.). If possible, the doughboy shaves every day. As reported by local chronicler Batty Weber on 28 December 1918, some Luxembourgers even imitated the clean-shaven doughboy look: “Nichtig hatten sich einige, durch das Vorbild der Amerikaner verlockt, den Schnurrbart abrasieren lassen.”

7 AM - 8 AM



Coffee time. The A.E.F. makes sure that their men have a good start into the day.

A typical breakfast consists of coffee with milk, white bread with jam and pancakes with molasses. Sometimes the doughboys can even enjoy cold pork meat in the morning.

45

Inspection of the 131th Field Hospital, 108th Sanitary Train, Echternach, May 1919, (Photo Bellwald, Coll. Lamesch).

8 AM - 12 AM



After breakfast, a morning march of 6 to 8 kilometres is routine. In a letter to his family, soldier Gaylord Rodocker complains that mornings are mostly reserved for the military drill.

12 AM - 1 PM



Lunch. Unlike the local population, the A.E.F. enjoys an abundance in provisions. The A.E.F. is widely considered to have been the best-fed army in the First World War. A typical meal consists of soup, roasted meat, potatoes, sometimes vegetables, and always a lot of bread. Each company has its own kitchen and the cook is free to compose the meal based on what the army suppliers have on offer. The leftovers are given to the neighbours to feed the pigs.

1 PM - 4:30 PM



The afternoon is usually spent exercising. Athletics and other sports are among the favourite pastimes of the doughboys, but the exercising can also include singing, dancing or writing. All over the Americanoccupied sector, various schools give the soldiers an opportunity to prepare for their future reintegration into civilian life.

46

Postcard showing soldiers of 5th Division exercising near Echternach in May 1919, (Photo Bellwald, ANLux, ET-DH-026).



4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Dinner. Dinner is composed of meat (usually beef) with potatoes, bread and coffee.

Soldier Gaylord Rodocker reports that after dinner, everyone washes up his mess-kit and cleans off the table. Only then can the soldiers leave and enjoy their leisure time.



5:30 PM - 9 PM

To fight boredom, the American units organize numerous activities. From movie screenings to boxing fights, for every soldier there should be something worthwhile to attend.

The favourite activity however, is the many dances that are organized all over the country. The doughboys also enjoy their occasional glass of wine. As Captain Will Judy notes in his diary: “What else can one do in these European villages? Every third house is a cafe.” Because the doughboys found the Luxembourgish wine too sour, some tradesmen and bartenders even began mixing syrup into the wine.

9 PM



Curfew. Military police check the cafés and bars for soldiers that have “forgotten” to go home. The 9 PM curfew is later relaxed and the 5th Division Diamond reports balls going on until 2 AM in the morning.

47

Lunchtime in Grevenmacher, February 1919, (Photo Sterba, ANLux, ET-DH-026).

D’Liewe vun engem Zaldot hei zu Lëtzebuerg Dësen Dagesoflaf vun engem zu Diddeleng stationéierten Zaldot vun der 5. Divisioun baséiert op engem Artikel aus dem Tageblatt vum 4. Dezember 1918. Vervollstännegt gëtt en duerch verschidde Bréiwer an Tagebicher vun amerikaneschen Zaldoten.

6 AM - 7 AM



Appell. Den Zaldot huet eng Stonn fir sech fäerdeg ze maachen. Hygiène gëtt grouss geschriwwen, duerfir kritt all Zaldot beim Antrëtt an d’A.E.F. ee Set mat Toilettenartikelen (Zännbiischt, Gillette, Handdicher etc.). Wa méiglech raséiert den Doughboy sech all Dag. De Lokalchronist Batty Weber notéiert dozou den 28. Dezember 1918, dass och d’Lëtzebuerger no an no dee glat raséierten Doughboy-Look imitéieren: „Nichtig hatten sich einige, durch das Vorbild der Amerikaner verlockt, den Schnurrbart abrasieren lassen.“ 7 AM - 8 AM



Kaffiszäit. D’A.E.F. garantéiert, datt hir Männer den Dag gutt ufänken. Een typesche Moieskaffi besteet aus wäissem Brout mat Gebeess, Paangecher mat Sirop a Kaffi mat Mëllech. Heiansdo kritt den amerikaneschen Zaldot moies och kaalt Schwéngefleesch.

48

Gaz mask emergency training in Niederfeulen, 4 April 1919, (Photo Klein, ANLux, ET-DH-026).

8 AM - 12 AM



Nom Kaffi ass ee Marsch vu sechs bis aacht Kilometer üblech, sou d’Tageblatt.

Den Zaldot Gaylord Rodocker schreift heizou an engem Bréif u seng Famill, datt moies virun allem d’Zäit vum militäreschen Drill ass.

12 AM - 1 PM



Mëttegiessen. Am Géigesaz zu de Lëtzebuerger Leit hunn d’A.E.F. genuch Provisiounen.

D’A.E.F. ass déi bescht verfleegten Arméi am Éischte Weltkrich. Eng typesch Moolzecht besteet aus enger Zopp, gebrodenem Fleesch, Gromperen, heiansdo Geméis an ëmmer vill Brout.

All Kompanie huet hir eege Kichen an all Kach däerf säin eegene Menü individuell no der Offer vum Zentraldepot gestalten. D’Lëtzebuergesch Nopere kréien d’Reschter fir d’Schwäin ze fidderen.

1 PM - 4:30 PM



Mëttes ass fir d’Instruktioun vun den Zaldote reservéiert. Den Doughboys hire léifsten Zäitverdreif ass d’Liichtathletik an aner Sportaarten. Mee och Sangen, Danzen a Schreiwe gëtt geléiert. Duerch dee ganzen amerikanesche Secteur gi Schoulen opgemaach fir den Zaldoten de Retour an dat zivilt Liewe méi liicht ze maachen.

49

Postcard showing civilians and doughboys in front of the Café Wagener-Schutz in Ettelbruck, (Coll. Kugener).



4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Owesiessen. D’Iesse besteet aus Fleesch (normalerweis Rëndfleesch) mat Gromperen, Brout a Kaffi. Den Zaldot Gaylord Rodocker schreift, datt hien nom Iesse säi Besteck spullt an den Dësch ofmécht. Eréischt duerno duerf den amerikanesche Zaldot seng Fräizäit genéissen.



5:30 PM - 9 PM

D’Amerikaner organiséiere vill Aktivitéiten fir d’Langweil vun hiren Zaldoten ze bekämpfen.

Vu Filmowenter bis zu Boxmatcher, fir all Zaldot ass eppes dobäi, wat hien interesséiert.

D’Liiblingsaktivitéit bleiwen awer déi vill Baler, déi iwwerall am Land organiséiert ginn.

D’Doughboys drénken och heiansdo gären ee Patt Wäin - zesummen mat de Lëtzebuerger.

De Captain Will Judy notéiert dozou a säin Tagebuch: „Wat kann ee soss an deenen europäeschen Dierfer maachen? All drëtt Haus ass ee Café.“ Well vill Doughboys de Lëtzebuerger Wäin ze sauer fonnt hunn, hunn verschidden Händler an Wiertshaiser esouguer ugefaangen, Sirop an de Wäin ze schëdden.

9 PM



Ausgangsspär. D’Militärpolice sicht a Caféen a Baren no Zaldoten, déi „vergiess“ hunn heem ze goen.

D’Ausgangsspär um 21 Auer ass spéiderhin gelockert ginn an d’Rapporten vun der 5. Divisioun beschreiwe Baler, déi bis zwou Auer Moies daueren.

50

A Football team from the 33rd Division with self-made shirts, 28 February 1919, (NARA).

Cartoon “School Days”, in: The Fifth Division, Weekly News of the Red Diamond Division, 16 April 1919, (BNL).

Cartoon “Pay Day”, in: The Fifth Division, Weekly News of the Red Diamond Division, 9 April 1919, (BNL).

51

„New boys in town“ Esch-sur-Alzette, March 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

52

A country music band poses in front of the castle in Walferdange, 1919, (MNHM).

Cross cultural communication With the presence of Americans in almost every village and household, Luxembourgish people were influenced by the cultural habits of the doughboys.

First contact with the American way of life came through concerts given by military jazz bands or dancing evenings in local pubs. Here, locals and doughboys shared their beer with „Quetsch“ or tasted American tobacco and chocolate.

Kulturellen Echange Mat der Präsenz vun den Amerikaner a bal all Duerf an Haushalt, sinn d’Lëtzebuerger mat de kulturelle Gewunnechte vun den Doughboys a Beréierung komm. Den éischte Kontakt mam American way of life war duerch Concerte vu Militär-Jazzbands oder Danzowenter an de lokale Caféen.

Hei hunn d’Lëtzebuerger an d’Doughboys sech ee Béier mat enger „Quetsch“ gedeelt oder deen amerikaneschen Tubak a Schockela geschmaacht.

Advert “Kartenspieler”, in: Der Landwirt, 3 April 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

53

Drawing of Hesperange by military artist J. AndrĂŠ Smith, (Smith: In France with the American Expeditionary Forces, 1919).

“

Those roads and beautiful drives thru the cities and forests you can hardly imagine such a place. So old and with a castle occasionally to set it off.

And the whole country is as neat-clean & well kept as the average front yard.

Soldier Paul B. Hendrickson, 18.12.1918

Guidebook about Vianden written by soldier Shenk of the 33rd Division, (Coll. Kugener).

54

Drawing of the valley “am Gronn” in Luxembourg city by military artist Captain Peixotto, (Peixotto: The American Front, 1919).

55

A U.S. Military band gives a concert at the “Place du Marché” in Echternach in December 1918, (Photo Bellwald, Europeana 1914-1918).

Festivities On 28 November 1918 doughboys celebrated Thanksgiving. Even though there was only one turkey served in Luxembourg, troops were encouraged by their superiors to share their culture with the locals who were unfamiliar with their tradition. In Diekirch, every officer was urged to invite his host family to the Army Christmas dinner. Although such celebrations were a common occurrence, the Luxembourg guests were surprised by the rich decoration of garlands, national flags and Christmas trees.

On the other hand, U.S. doughboys were curious about the culture of the Grand Duchy. They attended the Sprangprozessioun - a Catholic procession held in Echternach - or visited the historical castle of Vianden. Soldiers recorded their perception of the nature and cultural sites of Luxembourg in many postcards and letters.

Festivitéiten Den 28. November 1918 hunn d’Doughboys Thanksgiving gefeiert. Deen Dag ass just een eenzegt Schnuddelhong zu Lëtzebuerg zerwéiert ginn. Well dës Traditioun de Lëtzebuerger total onbekannt war, sinn d’Zaldote vun hire Virgesetzten ermontert ginn, dëse Brauch mat den Awunner ze deelen. Zu Dikrech huet all Offizéier missten seng Gaaschtfamill op d’Chrëschtfeier vun der Army invitéieren. Obwuel et dëse Feierdag och am Grand-Duché gëtt, waren d’Lëtzebuerger Gäscht vun der prächteger Dekoratioun iwwerrascht, déi aus Girlanden, Nationalfändelen an Chrëschtbeemercher bestanen huet.

Anerersäits sinn d’Doughboys virwëtzeg op d’Lëtzebuerger Land ginn. Si sinn d’Veianer Schlass an op d’Sprangprëssessioun kucke gaangen. Hier Andréck vu Lëtzebuerger Natur a Kultur hunn si a Postkaarten a Bréiwer festgehalen.

56

56

Christmas party at the HĂ´tel des Ardennes in Diekirch, December 1919, (NARA).

Menu card of Company K, 11th Infantry Regiment, Schifflange, December 1918, (Coll. Kugener).

Invitations to dance events hosted by American soldiers, (MNHM, Coll. Kugener).

57

The language barriers between U.S. soldiers and Luxembourgers, as seen by Walter McKay in 1919, (Means: Don’t You Remember, Lad?, 1925).

“

Die Amerikaner sind nun seit nahezu zwei Monaten im Land.

Wir haben sie erst als Befreier gefeiert, dann als liebenswürdige Gesellschafter, als flotte Tänzer, als Spender von Tabak, Zigarren und Seife.

Batty Weber, Abreißkalender, 22.01.1919

58

Wedding between an American soldier and a Luxembourgish girl from Diekirch, 1919, (ANLux, ET-DH-026).

Marriages There were quite a few romances between doughboys and Luxembourgish girls. Some soldiers married their sweetheart and in springtime 1919, about 200 Luxembourgish “warbrides” were following their men to the United States. On the other hand, there were also doughboys who decided to stay in the Grand Duchy after their demobilization in 1919.

Bestietnisser Et koum och zu etleche Romanzen tëschent den Doughboys a Lëtzebuerger Meedercher. E puer Zaldoten hunn hir Freiesch am Fréijoer 1919 zu Lëtzebuerg bestuet an ongeféier 200 Lëtzebuergesch warbrides si mat hire Männer an Amerika gaangen.

No der Demobilisatioun hunn sech anerersäits awer och e puer Doughboys dozou entscheet, zu Lëtzebuerg ze bleiwen.

John A. Jueneman from Minnesota married Barbara Wallendorf, March 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

59

To cheer our boys up

YMCA volunteers serving hot chocolate, bread and Bull Durham tobacco to soldiers billeted in Larochette, (National WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.).

60

One of the first French Renault tanks operated by the A.E.F in Luxembourg, 1918, (Photo Wirol, Coll. Kugener).

Troop entertainment American welfare organizations supported the A.E.F. during wartime with comfort operations to boost the doughboys’ morale. Stationed in Luxembourg, detachments of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), the Knights of Columbus and the Jewish Welfare Board organized a full recreation program ranging from soldiers’ clubs, canteens offering free meals and cigarettes, hiking excursions to free libraries.

Focal point for the YMCA was their entertainment program, which served as a counterbalance to the monotonous daily drill. They recruited American actors who appeared in theatrical performances throughout the occupation zone. In addition, mobile movie screenings with the latest Hollywood films were set up in many villages.

The units themselves were encouraged to create their own “performance troupe”.

Advert “Sweet wine”, in: Der Landwirt, 5 April 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

61

“This is a good picture of my suit but not of me�.

YMCA volunteer Gertrude Hunter McDonald standing in front of the castle at Larochette, (National WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.).

Invitation to a dance event hosted by American soldiers, Larochette, 22 April 1919, (MNHM).

62

Show troup of B Company 132nd Infantry Regiment performing in Biwer, 26 January 1919, (Photo Sterba, ANLux, ETDH-026).

Truppen Aktivitéiten Amerikanesch Organisatiounen hu wärend dem Krich versicht, d’Moral vun den Doughboys ze stäerken. Organisatioune wéi d’Young Men’s Christian Association, d‘Knights of Columbus an d’Jewish Welfare Board waren zu Lëtzebuerg stationéiert an hunn ee ganze Fräizäitprogramm organiséiert. Si hu Bibliothéiken an Zaldoteveräiner gegrënnt souwéi Wanderungen organiséiert. Donieft gouf och derfir gesuergt, datt d’Zaldote gratis Moolzechten an de Kantinnen an Zigarette kritt hunn.

Haaptpunkt fir de YMCA war de Fräizäitprogramm, deen een Ausgläich zu deem alldeegleche monotonen Drill duergestallt huet.

Si hunn amerikanesch Schauspiller rekrutéiert déi an Theateropféierungen iwwerall an der Besatzungszon opgetruede sinn. Doriwwer eraus hu si mobil Kino’en mat deenen neisten Hollywoodfilmer an all Duerf opgeriicht. Déi verschidden Unitéite sinn och ermontert ginn fir hiert eegent Animatiounsensemble ze grënnen.

63

The main bout for the light weight championship of the A.E.F. Leo Patterson, light weight champion vs. Franke Nurdin, 5th Division, Esch-sur-Alzette, June 1919, (NARA).

Public events Sporting competitions played a major role in the A.E.F. to boost team spirit and keep up the combat morale of the homesick soldiers.

On a regular basis, competitions were organized between units and athletic grounds were set up in nearly every village.

The sport meetings were deliberately staged in public by the High Command to showcase the fitness of the A.E.F..

The Americans introduced new sports from overseas like baseball, but the local favorite competitions were by far the many boxing fights.

To establish friendship, doughboys formed soccer teams to play against local clubs.

In addition, horse and motor shows served to maintain the Army’s equipment and to entertain the public.

These highly mediatised events had the purpose to highlight the technological superiority of the U.S.A, with state-of-the-art war machinery being put on display.

64

Booklet about the “Field Day” organized by the 5th Division, Luxembourg, 25 March 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

Baseball, one of the dougboys’ favorite sport. The A.E.F. organized their own championship league in Europe, Echternach, 1919, (Photo Bellwald, Coll. Lamesch).

Track and field meeting, Echternach, 1919, (Photo Bellwald, Coll. Kugener).

65

Postcard showing an American horse show on the “Glacis”, Luxembourg, 27 February 1919, (Photo Wirol, ANLux, ET-DH-026).

Another horse show at the “Kluuster” in Diekirch, 1919, (Photo Tandel, ANLux, ET-DH-026).

66

Jeunesse Grevenmacher , January 1919, (Photo Sterba, ANLux, ET-DH-026).

Ëffentlech Evenementer Sportlech Kompetitiounen hunn eng grouss Roll an der A.E.F. gespillt. Engersäits hunn si den Teamgeescht gestäerkt, anerersäits hunn si d’Moral vun den Zaldoten, déi verlaangert hunn, oprechterhalen. Tëschent den Unitéiten si regelméisseg Turnéier organiséiert ginn an a bal all Duerf si Sportsterrainen amenagéiert ginn.

Déi sportlech Evenementer si ganz bewosst virun den An vun der Ëffentlechkeet ausgedroe gi fir dem Public ze weise wéi fit d’A.E.F. war. D’Amerikaner hu vill nei Sportaarte wei Baseball aus Iwwerséi matbruecht, mä ënnert de Lëtzebuerger waren d’Boxematcher d’Haaptattraktioun.

D’Doughboys hunn och Futtballequippen opgestallt fir géint déi lokal Veräiner ze spillen an esou Frëndschaften ze schléissen.

Zousätzlech hunn horse and motor shows duerfir gesuergt, datt d’Equipement an engem gudden Zoustand verbliwwen ass an dass d’Bevëlkerung ënnerhalen gouf. Virun allem d’Ausstellung vun der „Krichsmaschinerie” bei dësen héich mediatiséierten Evenementer hat als d’Zil, déi technesch Iwwerleeënheet vun den U.S.A. duerzestellen.

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Newspaper Trey Bun published by the 108th Engineers, 11 February 1919, Echternach, (MNHM).

“ 68

Luxemburg turns into Fairyland for Yanks Troops The Stars and Stripes, 29. November 1918

Newspaper The Fifth Division, Weekly News of the Red Diamond Division, 25 March 1919, Esch-sur-Alzette, (BNL).

Newspapers The 33rd and 5th Division published their own newspapers in Luxembourg and reported on local affairs.

Most of the articles dealt with sports and cultural events, but international political topics such as the Paris peace negotiations were also covered. For the Luxembourgish business people, the newspapers served as an advertising platform for well-off American customers.

Zeitungen Déi 33. a 5. Divisioun hunn hir eege Zeitungen zu Lëtzebuerg publizéiert an iwwer Lokales bericht.

Déi meescht vun den Artikelen hunn Sport- a Kulturevenementer traitéiert, donieft goufen awer och international politesch Theme wéi d'Paräisser Friddensverhandlungen thematiséiert. Fir déi lëtzebuergesch Geschäftsleit hunn d'Zeitungen als Reklammplattform fir hir räich amerikanesch Clientèle gedéngt.

Adverts of Luxembourgish stores, in: The Fifth Division Diamond, 2 April 1919, (BNL).

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Conflicts and other incidents

An American truck fell off the “Schlassbréck” in the Clausener Berg, Luxembourg, 19 January 1919, (© Photothèque de la Ville de Luxembourg).

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Mandatory list of prices to be displayed in every bar in order to prevent the overcharging of U.S. and French soldiers, (ANLux, INT-0147a).

“Preiswucher” - Profiteering At the beginning of the American occupation, some Luxembourgish salesmen charged U.S. soldiers exorbitant prices for local goods. Fearing tensions with the American military administration, the Luxembourgish government intervened by releasing an official communiqué which urged the businessmen to stop selling overpriced items to American soldiers, threatening them with sanctions.

Such a case of profiteering was at the origin of a riot in the city of Esch-sur-Alzette on 26 November 1918.

When two American soldiers complained to a local man about the price for a small piece of gingerbread, an argument kicked off between the man and the shop owners. A fast-growing mass of spectators assembled in front of the store situated in the busy Alzette street. The situation then quickly escalated: to the chants of “eine Mark ein Küchlein!” (“a Mark for a small piece of cake!”), the mass dispersed through the city and looted shops they accused of overcharging U.S. soldiers. The police estimated that five to six thousand people took part in those riots and even confirmed the participation of some American soldiers.

The consequences were devastating: 64 shops were looted or damaged.

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Excerpt of a report on violent incidents in Esch-sur-Alzette, 10 December 1918, (ANLux, INT-0628).

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Liquor is dear in price; a thimble of watered cognac costs three francs; the same quantity of good whiskey in America would cost one-half franc[.]

Captain Will Judy, 33rd Division, Diekirch.

Map showing the shops and houses that were damaged during the riots of 26 November 1918 in Esch-sur-Alzette, (ANLux, INT-0628).

“Wucherpräis” Besonnesch am Ufank vun der Occupatioun vu Lëtzebuerg duerch d’A.E.F., haten e puer lëtzebuergesch Verkeefer den amerikaneschen Zaldote Wucherpräisser fir bestëmmt Artikele gefrot. D‘Lag hat sech esou zougespëtzt, datt souguer déi lëtzebuergesch Regierung huet missen intervenéieren. An engem Communiqué hat d‘Regierung un d’Vendeuren appelléiert opzehalen, den amerikaneschen Zaldoten ze deier Artikelen ze verkafen, anerefalls géif et zu Sanktioune kommen.

Esou ee Fall vu “Preiswucher” war anscheinend och den Ausléiser vu massiven Onrouen zu EschUelzecht, de 26. November 1918, bei deene vill Butteker zerstéiert a beklaut gi sinn. Wou zwee Amerikaner sech bei engem Verkeefer iwwert de Präis vun engem Liefkuch beschwéiert hunn, ass et zu engem Sträit komm. Passanten hunn sech dorops virum Buttek an der Uelzecht Strooss versammelt. D‘Situatioun ass eskaléiert: mam Opruff „ein Mark ein Küchlein“ hunn d’Leit sech an der Stad verdeelt an d’Butteker gestiermt, déi Wucherpräisser géintiwwer d‘Zaldote virgehäit kruten. D’Police schätzt, datt fënnef bis sechs Dausend Leit bei deene Plünderungen derbäi waren an hat och Bedeelegung vun amerikaneschen Zaldote confirméiert. D‘Konsequenze ware schlëmm: 64 Butteker ware gestiermt an zerstéiert ginn.

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Post card showing the A.E.F. Quartermaster Depot in Mersch, 1919, (Photo Henckels, Coll. Kugener).

Stealing During the occupation by the A.E.F., multiple cases of theft were reported to the Luxembourgish Police. On one hand, U.S. Army depots with their abundant supplies of clothing, blankets and food were primary targets for Luxembourgish thieves. This led to numerous house searches by the U.S. Military Police (M.P.) and local law enforcement. M.P.s regularly searched pedestrians and if one was found wearing American shoes, he went home bareDoughboys loading oil barrels at the Mersch train station, Mersch, 1919, foot.

(Photo Henckels, Coll. Kugener).

On the other hand, not all army material that went missing was the mischief of local thieves. To earn an extra penny, some A.E.F. soldiers sold army material. In addition, police reports regularly mentioned A.E.F. soldiers as perpetrators: cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, money and even a complete hair-dresser’s set were stolen by some doughboys.

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Warning by the Luxembourgish government not to buy military effects from A.E.F. soldiers, 3 January 1919, (ANLux, AE-00648).

Déifställ Wärend der Occupatioun vun der A.E.F. huet lëtzebuergesch Police eng héich Unzuel vun Déifställ festgestallt.

Op der enger Säit waren Depoten vun der U.S. Army gutt gefëllt mat Gezei, Decken a Liewensmëttel, déi besonnesch beléift bei de lëtzebuergeschen Déiwen waren. Dëst huet zu Perquisitioune vun der U.S. Military Police (M.P.) an der lokaler Police gefouert, déi reegelméisseg Passanten duerchsicht huet. A Press-clipping, in: Der Landwirt, 26 March wann een Passant amerikanesch Schong 1919, (ANLux, ET-DH-026). unhat, huet hien misse buerféiss heem goen.

Op der anerer Säit ass net all U.S. Army Material, wat verschwonne war, op de Kont vu lokalen Déiwe gaangen.

Fir puer extra Suen ze verdéngen, haten d’A.E.F. Zaldoten och hir Material verkaf. Dozou hat de Police Rapport ëmmer erëm A.E.F. Zaldoten als Verbriecher gemellt: Zigaretten, Alkohol, Suen a souguer e komplette Coiffer’s Set goufe vun den Doughboys geklaut.

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Explosion of an A.E.F. fuel depot in Echternach, 26 March 1919, (Photo Bellwald, ANLux, ET-DH-026).

Accidents The arrival of the highly motorized A.E.F. inevitably led to a massive increase in car accidents. Not only were the people overwhelmed by the presence of so many vehicles, the narrow roads often couldn’t cope either. One of the more “spectacular” accidents involved a military truck falling off the bridge in the Clausener Berg. Despite the 10-meterdrop, the two soldiers survived with fairly light injuries.

The narrow-gauge railway between Luxembourg and Echternach, commonly known as Charly, also had several “unpleasant” encounters with American vehicles. On 14 February 1919, the Charly hit an American truck and pushed it into a tree. Due to the impact, the train was levered out of the track and a doughboy was severely wounded.

Nine days later, it hit another American truck, but this time it stayed on track and no one was seriously harmed.

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Telegram by Gendarme Haentges concerning the explosion of an A.E.F. fuel depot in Echternach, wounding 60 soldiers and 20 civilians, 26 March 1919, (ANLux, AE-00666).

Accident involving the narrow-gauge railway train „Charly” and an American truck, Luxembourg-City, 14 February 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

Accidenter Mat der Arrivée vun der héich motoriséierter A.E.F., koum et verstäerkt zu Autosaccidenter.

Net nëmme war d’Populatioun iwwerwältegt vun der grousser Unzuel vu Vehikelen, mä och d’Stroossen hunn drënner gelidden. An engem vun deene “spektakuläersten” Accidenter war e Militärcamion involvéiert, den d’Bréck beim Clausener Bierg erofgefall war. Obwuel de Camion 10 Meter erofgefall war, sinn déi zwee Zaldoten nëmme liicht blesséiert ginn.

D’Schmuelspurbunn tëschent Lëtzebuerg an Iechternach, bekannt als Charly, hat och e puer onglécklech Bekanntschafte mat den amerikaneschen Autoe misste maachen. De 14. Februar 1919 hat de Charly en amerikanesche Camion an Press-clipping about the accident, in Luxeme Bam gedréckt. Wéinst dem Impakt war den burger Wort, 15.02.1919. (eluxemburgensia).

Zuch aus de Schinne gesprongen an en Doughboy ass schwéier verletzt ginn.

Néng Deeg méi spéit krut en en anere Camion ze packen, mä dës Kéier war en net aus de Schinne gesprongen an et war kee schlëmm verletzt ginn.

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Memorial day, Echternach, May 1919, (Photo Bellwald, Coll. Kugener).

The Spanish flu In spring 1918, the Spanish flu hit Europe. Although its origins remain controversial to date, the lethal pandemic was almost certainly brought in by American troops.

The end of the war facilitated the spread of the disease through increased troop movements. In the end, more soldiers died from the Spanish flu than due to combat during the First World War. In October 1918, the influenza reached the Grand Duchy.

Numerous infected U.S. soldiers were immediately taken care of in military hospitals. The A.E.F urgently requisitioned multiple public buildings, among them the high school Gymnase in Echternach. In consequence, all classes were suspended, which led to severe tensions with the local officials. Soldiers who did not survive were buried in rented parcels in the local cemeteries in Walferdange and Echternach.

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Cemetary in Walferdange, 1919, (Photo Bellwald, Coll. Kugener).

A.E.F. medical officers inspecting patients suffering from Spanish flu in the receiving ward of Field Hospital No. 29 temporarily established in the local school, Hollerich, 1918, (NARA).

Spuenesch Gripp Am Fréijoer 1918 ass d’Spuenesch Gripp an Europa ausgebrach.

Dës Krankheet, wou den Ursprong weiderhin debattéiert gëtt, gouf héchstwahrscheinlech vun den amerikaneschen Zaldoten mat an Europa bruecht. No Estimatiounen si méi Zaldoten un der Spuenescher Gripp gestuerwen ewéi wärend de Kampfhandlungen am Éischte Weltkrich.

Am Oktober 1918 hat d’Spuenesch Gripp de Grand-Duché erreecht.

Ganz vill infizéiert U.S. Zaldote waren direkt a Militärspideeler behandelt ginn. D’A.E.F. hat eng gréisField Hospital No. 29 , Hollerich, December 1918, (NARA). ser Zuel vun ëffentleche Gebaier, wéi ënnert anerem de Lycée zu Iechternach confisquéiert. Als Konsequenz waren d’Klasse fräigestallt, wat zu gréisseren Tensioune mat der Gemeng gefouert hat. Zaldoten, déi d‘Krankheet net iwwerliewe sollten, waren a gelounte Parzellen op de lokale Kierfechter zu Walfer oder zu Iechternach bäigesat ginn.

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„Lëtzebuergesch“ Doughboys

Sergeant Paul A. Hobscheid, after receiving the Military Medal for extraordinary heroism in action, Larochette, 20 January 1919, (NARA).

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Sergeant Paul A. Hobscheid, receiving the Military Medal for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 131st Infantry, 33rd Division, at Chipilly Ridge, France, 9 August 1918. Sgt. Hobscheid, under heavy fire, advanced into a hostile sniping post, found and entered a long dugout, and brought out 30 prisoners, Larochette, 1919, (NARA).

"Luxembourgish" doughboys Some A.E.F. soldiers were of Luxembourgish ancestry. It is estimated that up to 700 “Luxembourgish” doughboys served in the U.S. Army and Navy during the First World War. Most of them came from the states of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Some took advantage of their stay to visit their Luxembourgish relatives.

"Lëtzebuergesch" Doughboys Ënnert den Zaldote vun der A.E.F. haten der och eng Partie lëtzebuergesch Wuerzelen. Et gëtt ugeholl, datt bis zu 700 „lëtzebuergesch“ Doughboys am Eischte Weltkrich an der amerikanescher Arméi a Marine gedéngt hunn. Déi meescht vun hinne koumen aus de Staaten Illinois, Iowa a Wisconsin.

E sëlleche vun hinnen hunn vun hierem Openthalt zu Lëtzebuerg profitéiert, fir hier Famill ze besichen.

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Pierre Melsen, born 1886 in Niederfeulen, (Coll. Kugener).

Lieutnant Victor Manternach, Pratz/Bettborn, 1919, (Coll. Gaspar).

Mathias PeportĂŠ, born 1891 in Esch-sur-Alzette, 33rd Division, (Coll. Kugener).

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Pvt. Herbert Schaus, born in 1886, 33rd Division, 108th Inf., (Coll. Gaspar).

Joseph J. Winandy, killed in action on 16 August 1918, (Coll. Ney).

Private Jang Rosselet says goodbye to his sister Anna, Reckange, April 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

“Home again�, unknown Luxembourgish doughboy back in his hometown Redange, 1919, (Coll. Gaspar).

A Luxembourgish Sergeant visiting his relatives, Bigonville, 1919, (Coll. Gaspar).

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1st Lieutnant Daubenfeld with a group of officers in a camp near the Mexican border, 1916, (MNHM).

Pierre “Perry" Daubenfeld One of these "Luxembourgish" doughboys was Captain Perry Daubenfeld. Born in 1879 in Luxembourg, he emigrated to the United States at the age of 14 and settled in Chicago.

After joining the Marine Corps in 1900, he saw action during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). Discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant in 1915, he was mustered into Federal Service shortly after, in June 1916. During the military operations against the paramilitary forces of Mexican revolutionary Francisco "Pancho" Villa, Daubenfeld served on the Mexican border.

Following the U.S. declaration of war, he was again drafted into Daubenfeld in 1916, (MNHM). the Army in 1917. Wounded in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre.

While in Luxembourg, he was billeted in Junglinster with the 132nd Infantry Regiment. During his stay in the Grand Duchy he took advantage to visit his birthplace, the village of Reckange (Mersch).

Back in the States, he moved to South Dakota.

In 1924, the Luxembourgish government appointed him honorary consul. In 1925, he was awarded the Médaille Commémorative des Volontaires Luxembourgeois de la Grande Guerre.

Later on, Perry Daubenfeld returned to Chicago where he died of a heart attack in 1945.

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Military identity card of Captain Perry Daubenfeld, (MNHM).

Pierre “Perry" Daubenfeld Ee vun dëse “lëtzebuergeschen” Doughboys war de Captain Perry Daubenfeld. Hien ass 1879 zu Lëtzebuerg op d’Welt komm, am Alter vun 14 Joer an Amerika ausgewandert an huet sech zu Chicago néiergelooss.

Nodeems hien 1900 an de Marine Corps agetrueden war, huet hien am Philippinesch-Amerikanesche Krich (1899-1902) gekämpft. 1915 huet hien d’Arméi als First Lieutenant verlooss, mä gouf kuerz drop am Juni 1916 nees agezunn. Wärend den Militäroperatioune géint déi mexikanesch Revolutiounstruppe vum Francisco „Pancho“ Villa huet den Daubenfeld un der mexikanescher Grenz gedéngt.

No der Krichserklärung vun den USA ass den Daubenfeld 1917 an d‘Arméi agezu ginn. Hien gouf wärend der Meuse-Argonne Offensive blesséiert, an ass mam Distinguished Service Cross an der franséischer Croix de Guerre ausgezeechent ginn.

Mam 132. Infanterie-Regiment war hien zu Jonglënster aquartéiert. Hien huet och vu sengem Openthalt profitéiert, fir säin Heemechtsduerf Recken ze besichen.

Zeréck an Amerika ass hien a South Dakota geplënnert, wou hien 1924 vun der lëtzebuergescher Regierung zum Éirekonsul ernannt ginn ass. 1925 krut hien d‘Médaille Commémorative des Volontaires Luxembourgeois de la Grande Guerre.

1945 ass den Perry Daubenfeld am Alter vu 65 Joer zu Chicago un engem Häerzinfarkt gestuerwen.

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Commission certificate of Perry Daubenfeld to promote him as Captain of the 2nd Regiment Illinois Infantry, Springfield, 2 May 1917, (MNHM).

“

Große Freude, helle Begeisterung durchlief unsere Ortschaft bei dem Bekanntwerden der Nachricht, Herr Pierre Daubenfeld, ein Sohn unseres früheren Lehrers Herrn Daubenfeld, wäre zu kurzem Besuche in seinem Geburtsorte eingetroffen.

Escher Tageblatt, 31.12.1918.

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Daubenfeld took part in the Philippine-American War on the battleship “U.S.S. Oregon”, Olongapo Bay, Philippines, 1902, (MNHM).

Nomination certificate from Perry Daubenfeld to be Honorary Consul in South Dakota, signed by Grand Duchess Charlotte and Minister of State Émile Reuter, Colmar Berg, 21 October 1924, (MNHM).

1st Lieutenant Daubenfeld supervising rifle training, 1916, (MNHM).

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Going home

‘They were home’ A welcome of flowers and cheers greeted doughboys as they paraded up in Chicago, 28 May 1919, (Chicago History Museum).

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Civilian farewell party for the doughboys in Ettelbrück, 27 April 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

Farewell In 1919, peace negotiations between Germany and the Allied Powers kept dragging on.

In Trier, the Armistice even had to be prolonged several times between all involved parties. With the A.E.F. still on stand-by for the eventuality of a new outbreak of hostilities, High Command decided to swap the war-weary and homesick troops with fresh divisions from the States. In Luxembourg, the 33rd Division was the first one to receive the demobilization order.

On 30 April 1919, the Prairie Division left Luxembourg by train, to embark on home-bound ships in the port city of Brest.

After the signature of the Versailles peace treaty on 28 June 1919, the assignment of the A.E.F came to an end and Luxembourgers came to say good-bye to the doughboys.

Before their departure the 5th Division organized a full troop review with roughly 20.000 soldiers at Esch-sur-Alzette. It was attended by General Pershing who used the opportunity to decorate several soldiers. After the parade, a farewell party brought Luxembourgers and Doughboys together one last time. “Well, life is getting more monotonous every day ….

It gets so disgusting and you feel so ill-tempered at times. … I’ll admit I am lonely, homesick, disgusted, sarcastic, grouchy.” Just like military musician Hendrickson, many soldiers were probably glad to finally go home.

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Cover page “All of 33d back in U.S.”, in: The Chicago Sunday Tribune, 25 May 1919, (fold3.com).

Äddi Doughboys 1919 hu sech d’Friddensverhandlungen tëschent Däitschland an den Alliéierten an d’Längt gezunn. D’Armistice tëschent allen Parteien huet missen e puer Mol zu Tréier verlängert ginn.

Well d’A.E.F. nach ëmmer a Bereetschaft louchen, huet den High Command entscheet, déi krichsmidd Truppen, déi no doheem verlaangert hunn, mat neien Divisiounen aus Amerika z’ersetzen. Zu Lëtzebuerg krut déi 33. Divisioun als éischt den Demobiliséierungsuerder. Den 30. Abrëll 1919 ass d’Prairie-Divisioun mam Zuch op Brest gefuer fir do op d’Schëffer a Richtung Staaten z’embarquéieren.

No der Signature vum Versailler Friddensvertrag den 28. Juni 1919 ass d’Missioun vun den A.E.F. sengem Enn entgéint gaangen an d’Lëtzebuerger hunn den Doughboys missen Äddi soen. Déi 5. Divisioun huet eng komplett troop review mat ronn 20.000 Zaldoten zu Esch/Uelzecht organiséiert. Och de Generol Pershing huet d’Geleeënheet genotzt, fier e puer Zaldoten auszezeechnen. No der Parad huet en Abschidsfest eng läscht Kéier d’Lëtzebuerger an Doughboys beieneen bruecht.

“Ma d’Liewen hei gëtt all Dag méi langweileg... Et ass alles sou ofstoussend an heiansdo ass een richteg motzeg... Ech ginn et zou, ech si verlooss, verlaangeren no doheem, ech sinn degôutéiert, bësseg a knaddereg.” Genee wéi am Bréif vum Cartoon “Ooo-BOY!”, in: The Fifth Division, Weekly Militärmuseker Hendrickson waren vill News of the Red Diamond Division, 25 June 1919, (BNL).

Zaldote wahrscheinlech frou, dass si endlech heem koumen.

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Review of the 5th Infantry Division by General Pershing, Esch-sur-Alzette, 30 May 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

Review of the 33rd Infantry Division by General Pershing, Erpeldange, 22 May 1919, (Coll. Kugener).

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Exhumation of deceased doughboys at the cemetery of Echternach, 27 August 1920, (ANLux, ET-DH-026).

Exhumations Initially, deceased Americans were buried in the Luxembourgish local cemeteries. In spring 1919, military authorities however decided to transfer the bodies to Echternach and to the Walferdange cemetery. In August 1920, all bodies were repatriated to the States and handed over to the families.

In 1922, the bodies of three Luxembourgers that had served in the U.S. Army in France during the war were transferred to Luxembourg as requested by their relatives.

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American Burial Service note to Luxembourgish authorities about three “deceased U.S. soldiers to be delivered to next of kin residing in Luxembourg�, 1922, (ANLux, AE-00669).

Cemetery of Walferdange, 1920, (Coll. Lamesch).

Exhuméierung Ufanks sinn déi zu Lëtzebuerg verstuerwen Amerikaner op den lokalen Kierfechter begruewen ginn. Am Fréijoer 1919 hunn d’Militärautoritéiten décidéiert, d’stierflech Iwwerreschter op den Iechternacher an de Walfer Kierfecht ze transferéieren.

Am August 1920 goufen all d’Läichen zréck an d’Staaten rapatriéiert an de Familljen iwwerginn.

1922 koumen d’stierflech Iwwerreschter vun dräi Lëtzebuerger, déi am Krich a Frankräich an der amerikanescher Arméi gedéngt haten, op Demande vun hirer Famill zréck op Lëtzebuerg.

Private Peter Schmit’s tomb at the American Cemetary in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France, 1918, (Coll. Schmit).

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Record of Luxembourgish public and private reparation claims towards the American Forces, 29 April 1921, (ANLux, AE-00664).

Damages and compensation Even before the A.E.F.’s departure, Luxembourgish authorities raised the question of reparations for accidents, destroyed roads and unpaid billets. To this effect, the Americans established a “R. R. & C.” (Rents, Requisitions & Claims) bureau in Luxembourg City.The R. R. & C. operated until November 1919. Negotiations continued thereafter but were not always cordial, as the Americans considered the demanded sum to be largely exaggerated.

On 26 March 1921, Commanding U.S. General in Germany, Henry T. Allen, pointed out to Prime Minister Émile Reuter: “It [the American Army] entered the Grand Duchy with full consent of that country and remained there as an occupying force without any objections being made. During the time it was in the country its presence prevented, on several occasions, strikes and disorders.”

On 29 April 1921 an agreement was finally reached: The U.S.A. agreed to pay a total of 2.518.381,17 Francs.

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A quittance showing the reception of the compensation of 2.518.381,17 Luxembourg Francs from the A.E.F by the Luxembourgish government. Luxembourg, 30 April 1921, (ANLux, AE-00664).

Reparatiounsfuerderungen Scho virum Depart vun den A.E.F. hunn d’Lëtzebuerger Autoritéiten d’Fro vun de Reparature fir Accidenter, zerstéiert Stroossen an onbezuelten Aquartéierungen opgeworf.

D’Amerikaner hunn doropshin ee Büro, de R. R. & C. (Rents, Requisitions & Claims), an der Stad ageriicht. De R. R. & C. huet bis am November 1919 funktionéiert.

Mee och duerno goungen d’Negociatiounen net ëmmer frëndlech weider, well d’Amerikaner déi gefroten Zomm als iwwerdriwwen héich empfonnt hunn.

De fir Däitschland zoustännegen U.S. General, den Henry T. Allen, huet de 26. Mäerz 1921 dem Staatsminister Émile Reuter verdäitlecht: „Déi amerikanesch Arméi ass mat vollem Averständnis vum Grand-Duché an d’Land komm an ass ouni Widdersproch als Besatzungsmuecht do bliwwen. Hier Präsenz huet wärend där Zäit zu verschiddene Momenter Streiken a chaotesch Zoustänn verhënnert.“ Den 29. Abrëll 1921 gouf dunn een Accord fonnt: D’U.S.A hunn zougestëmmt een Total vun 2.518.381,17 Frang ze bezuelen.

USA $1 Dollar Federal Reserve Bank Chicago 1914, (Coll. Kugener).

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Culture of remembrance

Commemorative postcard recording the inauguration of the GĂŤlle Fra Monument on 27 May 1923, (MNHM).

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Street sign remembering General Pershing, Limpertsberg, Luxembourg-City, 2020, (MNHM).

Commemoration After World War I, several monuments were constructed to remember the conflict. The most prominent one was the Gëlle Fra (“Golden Lady”), erected in 1923 to commemorate the Luxembourgers who had fought in the French Foreign Legion. Such monuments, together with other “patriotic” events, ceremonies, medals and publications, were to stress Luxembourg’s solidarity with the Allies, especially after the delicate diplomatic post-war situation resulting from French and Belgian accusations of Germanophilia.

Nowadays, remembrance of World War I is largely overshadowed by the more recent experience of World War II. This is even more true for the American contribution to the Liberation of Luxembourg in 1918.

And yet, have all traces of the doughboys’ short-lived presence been erased? Not entirely. In the interwar years, Luxembourgish plays, novels, poems, comedies and songs frequently took up the motive of the doughboy and his interactions with the locals. After World War II, veterans of the 33rd Division offered their help to support the citizens of Luxembourg and a boulevard in Luxembourg-City was named after General Pershing in 1952.

Another „silent witness” of Luxembourg-American relations is still standing today in Colmar-Berg: the “Nelson farmhouse”. While Major Leroy E. Nelson was billeted there with the 122nd Field Artillery, he became acquainted with Léonie Conzemius, the farm owner’s only daughter. They married in 1921 and moved to Chicago. Two boys were born there. After her husband’s death, Léonie moved back to Luxembourg and successfully managed the “Nelson farmhouse” until her own parting in 1981.

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Letter sent in the name of former members of the 33rd division to H.R.H. Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, inquiring about the post-WWII situation in Luxembourg and offering material aid, 6 November 1946, (ANLux, FD-298_0001).

In 2017, ongoing archaeological excavations next to the local cemetery in Schieren detected a structure identified as a waste pit that was used at the end of World War I. Among the found military objects were uniform buttons, a pocket watch, several emptied carbine cartridges and coins. The analysis of these findings revealed that between 1918 and 1919, Companies I, K, L and M, of the 129th Regiment, 33rd Division were quartered in Schieren.

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“D’Amerikaner” - Luxembourgish song commemorating the arrival of the American troops on 21 November 1918, (Coll. Europeana transcribe).

Erënnerungskultur Nom Éischte Weltkrich goufen zu Lëtzebuerg divers Krichsmonumenter ageweit. Dat prominentst Denkmal war d‘Gëlle Fra, déi 1923 fir d’Lëtzebuerger Volontairen an der franséischer Friemelegioun opgeriicht gouf. Sou Monumenter sollten zesumme mat “patrioteschen” Feieren, Zeremonien, Medailen a Publikatiounen d’Solidaritéit tëschent Lëtzebuerg an den Alliéierten ervirhiewen, dëst besonnesch no der delikater diplomatescher Situatioun, déi bei Krichsenn duerch franséisch a belsch Ukloe wéinst der virgehäiter Däitschfrëndlechkeet entstane war.

Hautdesdaags steet d’Erënnerung un den Éischte Weltkrich am Schied vun der méi rezenter Erfarung vum Zweete Weltkrich. Dat trefft ëmsou méi op déi amerikanesch Befreiung vu Lëtzebuerg am Joer 1918 zou.

An awer, goufen all d’Spure vun der kuerzzäiteger Präsenz vun den Doughboys ausgeläscht?

Net ganz. An der Tëschekrichszäit hunn dacks lëtzebuergesch Theaterstécker, Romaner, Gedichter, Komedien a Lidder d’Motiv vum Doughboy a sengem Verhältnis mat der Lokalbevëlkerung opgeholl. Nom Zweete Weltkrich hu Veteranen vun der 33. Divisioun de Lëtzebuerger hir Hëllef ugebueden an 1952 gouf an der Stad ee Boulevard nom Generol Pershing benannt.

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Modern-day picture of the recently restored “Nelson farmhouse” in Colmar-Berg, 2019, (MNHM).

Een anere „stommen Zäitzeien“ vun de lëtzebuergesch-amerikanesche Bezéiunge steet haut nach zu Kolmer-Bierg: de „Nelsonshaff“. Wéi de Major Leroy E. Nelson do mat der 122. Field Artillery aquartéiert war, huet en Bekanntschaft mam Léonie Conzemius, dem Proprietär sengem eenzege Meedchen, gemaach. Si hunn sech 1921 bestuet an zu Chicago néier gelooss, wou si zwee Bouwe kruten. Nom Doud vun hirem Mann ass d’Léonie zréck op Lëtzebuerg komm an huet de „Nelsonshaff“ mat Succès bis zu hirem Doud am Joer 1981 gefouert.

2017 hunn archeologesch Ausgruewunge beim Schierener Kierfecht eng Struktur entdeckt, déi als um Enn vum Éischte Weltkrich benotzten Offallgrouf identifizéiert gouf. An der Grouf louchen e Koup militäresch Objeten, wéi Uniformsknäpp, eng Täschenauer, Patrounen a Mënzen. Duerch d’Analys vun dëse Saache konnt erausfonnt ginn, dass Schieren tëschent 1918 an 1919 de Kompanien I, K, L a M vum 129. Regiment, 33. Infanteriedivisioun als Quartéier gedéngt huet.

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Major Leroy E. Nelson in “Illinois in the World War”, Chicago, 1920, (Coll. Kugener).

Spent ammunition found near 45, route de Luxembourg in 2017, (CNRA).

Remnants of WWI-era ammunition excavated near the Schieren cemetery in 2017, (CNRA).

Aerial view of the excavation site in Schieren, 2017, (map.geoportail.lu).

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6.04.-1.09.2019

Doughboys zu LĂŤtzebuerg The First American Liberation 1918 10, Bamertal L-9209 Diekirch

Living history! We had the honor to meet Mary Schuch, whose Luxembourgish grandmother Marguerite Schumacher married the Doughboy Peter Leon Laplace in Wiltz 1919. As a soldier of the 33rd U.S Infantry Division, Leon liberated Luxembourg in 1918, Diekirch, 19 June 2019.

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Archives nationales de Luxembourg (ANLux)

• ET-DH-026 - Séjour des troupes américaines dans le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg de novembre 1918 à décembre 1919, 1918-1923 (Registre)

• AE-00635 - Mesures prises par les autorités américaines à l'égard des Luxembourgeois établis aux Etats-Unis, 1917-1918

Bibliothèque nationale du Luxembourg (BNL)

Primary sources

• AE-00638 - Arrivée des troupes alliées - Retraite allemande - Réquisitions et hébergement des troupes de passage • AE-00647 - Le Luxembourg sous l'occupation des Alliés - Relations avec les forces d'occupation: Institution d'une administration centrale militaire française à Luxembourg - Etablissement à Luxembourg du Grand Quartier Général des Armées Alliées, 1918-1919 • AE-00648 - Correspondance entre le gouvernement et les autorités françaises et américaines (Affaires judiciaires...), 1918-1919 • AE-00649 - Le Luxembourg sous l'occupation des Alliés - Logement des troupes dans les écoles et établissements d'enseignement moyen: Influence fâcheuse exercée de ce chef sur la marche de l'instruction publique, 1918-1919 • AE-00650 - Le Luxembourg sous l'occupation des Alliés - Réglementation de la circulation dans la région frontalière, 1918-1920 • AE-00655 - Difficultés de correspondre avec les Etats-Unis, 1919 • AE-00664 - Règlement des dommages de guerre causés par les troupes américaines • AE-00666 - Délits commis par des soldats américains, 1918-1920

• The Fifth Division - Diamond. Weekly News of the Red Diamond Division, March-June 1919.

Library of Congress, Veterans History Project • Keller Collection, (http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc. natlib.afc2001001.55537/, 09.12.2020).

• O’Toole Collection (https://memory.loc.gov/ diglib/vhp/bib/1429, 09.12.2020).

• Rudd Collection (https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/54156, 09.12.2020).

MNHM • WWI OH-AC-LU-004 - DAUBENFELD Perry

Pritzker Military Museum & Library • The Polson and Rodocker Collection, Gaylord (George) Rodocker, Correspondance 1917 - 1919.

Uni.lu • Abreißkalender. Das Feuilleton von Batty Weber in der Luxemburger Zeitung, 1913-1940. In: https://battyweber.uni.lu/, 09.12.2020).

Bibliography

• AE-00669 - Décès de soldats américains, 19181922

• A Brief History of Seventh Engineers, 5th Division, U.S.A. 1917-1919.

• AE-00670 - Etablissement de champs de tir par les troupes américaines - Obus non éclatés: Réclamations, 1919

• COHEN, B. Sol: Years of Pilgrimage, Memoirs of an American Musician, Illinois 1982.

• AE-00694 - Volontaires luxembourgeois au service de la France, de la Belgique et des Etats-Unis pendant la guerre 1914-1918. (Album historique), 1919-1923 • AE-00696 - Luxembourgeois engagés dans les services militaires américains (Pensions) • AE-00668 - Mariage de soldats américains dans le Grand-Duché, 1919-1923 (Dossier) • IP-0014 - Occupation des bâtiments scolaires par les troupes, 1918-1919 (Dossier) 104

• FABER, Ernest: Luxemburg im Kriege 1914-1918, Mersch 1932.

• DAHMS, Paul: A Piece of the Rhine. Amerikanische Besatzung im Brückenkopf Koblenz. 1918-1923, Hachenburg 2018.

• DAVIS, Abel: The story of the 132nd Infantry A.E.F., Luxembourg 1919.

• FLOHR, Jean-Pierre: Kriegstagebuch eines Neutralen in Luxemburg-Stadt. Flüchtig niedergeschriebene Aufzeichnungen und Stimmungen, II. Teil mit Illustrationen, Esch/Alzette 1921.

• GARDINI, Fausto: Storms over Luxembourg, Jacksonville, Florida 2012.

• GARDINI, Fausto: The American Aunt, US Doughboys & Damsels from Luxembourg, Jacksonville, Florida 2011.

• SANBORN, Joseph Brown: The 131st U.S. Infantry in the World War, Narrative-Operations-Statistics, Chicago, Illinois 1919.

• SPANG, Paul: Das totgesagte Echternach, Luxemburg 1986.

• GAUL Roland / NIEDERKORN, Benoît: 100 Jahre Militärfahrzeuge in Luxemburg, Luxemburg 2017.

• SPARKS, Winnie: Livingston County Illinois in the World War, Illinois 1925.

• GEISEN, Pascal / u.a.: Endlech Fridden? 1914-1919.

Miersch an den 1. Weltkrich, o.O. 2018.

• SPRENGER, Kai / Petersen, Hauke / Holzheimer, Marc: Stars and Stripes am Deutschland Eck - Die amerikanische Besetzung im Gebiet des heutigen Rheinland-Pfalz (1918-1923). In: Blätter zum Land, Hrsg. Landeszentrale Politische Bildung RheinlandPfalz, Nr. 77 (2019).

• HARRIS, W. Barnett: 33rd Division, Across No-Man’s Land, Chicago 1919.

• HEAL, David: Luxembourgers in the first World War. An inventory, Leipzig 2017.

• HUIDEKOPER, Frederic Louis: The History of the 33rd Division A.E.F., Vol. III, Springfield, Illinois 1921.

• JOINT WAR HISTORY COMMISSIONS: The 32nd Division in the World War 1917-1919, Michigan, Wisconsin 1920.

• JUDY, Will: A soldier’s diary, Chicago 1930.

• KOLNBERGER, Thomas: „Tote Soldaten und ihre Gräber: Kriegs- und Militärfriedhöfe des Ersten Weltkrieges in Luxemburg“ (2018). Éischte Weltkrich: https://ww1.lu/. (09.12.2020).

• LARUE, Charles: Le livre d’or de nos légionnaires: 1914-1918, Luxemburg ca.1923.

• LIEB, Daniela: Luxemburg und die Army of occupation (1918-1919) im Lichte literarischer Quellen. In: Hémecht. Zeitschrift für Luxemburger Geschichte 68/2 (2016), S. 189-216.

• STATES PUBLICATIONS SOCIETY: Illinois in the World War, An Illustrated History of the Thirty-third Division, Vol. II, Chicago 1921.

• The Society of the Fifth Division / u.a. (Hrsg.): The Official History of the Fifth Division U.S.A.: During the Period of its Organization and of its Operations in the European World War, 1917-1919, The Red Diamond (Meuse) Division, Washington D.C. 1919.

• THILL, Marc: „Jongen, huelt iech do eng Fra“ Zum Ende des Ersten Weltkrieges haben viele Luxemburgerinnen amerikanische Soldaten geheiratet. In: Luxemburger Wort online, (https://www.wort.lu/de/politik/jongen-huelt-iechdo-eng-fra-5be5963e182b657ad3b992c8, 25.11.2020).

• WEBER, Josiane / LIEB, Daniela / MARSON, Pierre: Luxemburg und der Erste Weltkrieg. Literaturgeschichte(n), Mersch 2014.

• MEANS, E. Charles, McKAY, H. Walter: Don’t you remember, Lad?, Chicago 1925.

• WRIGHT, P. Wellington, MANNING, F. Thomas: “Spare Parts” 15, Company “D” Fifteenth Machine Gun Battalion, Luxembourg 1919.

• McGINNESS, Powter: “When I was in Germany “, Coblenz 1919.

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Doughboys zu Lëtzebuerg The First American Liberation 1918 CREDITS Under the auspice of the US Embassy in Luxembourg - Ambassador J. Evans SPECIAL THANKS TO: • Archives nationales de Luxembourg (ANLux) • Bibliothèque nationale de Luxembourg (BNL) • Cercle d’Etude de la Bataille des Ardennes • Centre national de recherche archéologique • Chicago History Museum • Europeana Collections • Illinois State Military Museum (Springfield, U.S.A) • McCormick Research Center, First Division Museum at Cantigny Park (Wheaton, U.S.A.) • Mierscher Geschichtsfrënn • Musée Brassicole des deux Luxembourg • National Archives and Records Archives (Washington D.C., U.S.A.) • National WWI Museum and Memorial (Kansas City, U.S.A.) • Pritzker Military Museum & Library (Chicago, U.S.A.) • Thillenvogtei - Ney Jean • Veterans History Project (Washington D.C., U.S.A.) • Wikimedia Commons • Arens Théo • Elcheroth Lex • Gaspar Romain • Kugener Serge • Lassine Maxime • Lamesch Claude • Liltz René • Provan John • Roulling Jules • Schmit Jean • Schmit Thessy • Thiry Albert EXHIBITION DEVELOPMENT: Concept, research, texts: Niederkorn Benoît, Einsweiler Elisabeth, Lux Charles, Victor Philippe Support: Princic Aleksander, Becker Maxime, Members and Volunteers of the MNHM DESIGN: Agence de Publicité Lezarts Sàrl © Musée National d’Histoire Militaire, Diekirch, Luxembourg 2019/2020.

ISBN: 978-2-9199612-1-4

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McGINNESS, Powter: “When I was in Germany”, Coblenz 1919.

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