WW1 Centennial News

Highlights 1. Wilson Cabinet votes to enter war 2. Commission Press Conference on April 6 Event in KC 3. VFW presents $100,000 donation to WW1CC for event 4. WW1CC.org/April6 website launches 5. National Archive launches App that provides access to unseen WWI treasure 6. 100C/100M project spotlight on LA’s Victory Memorial Grove Project 7. WWrite blog - Military veteran author and director of the Center for Women Veterans at VA, Kayla Williams contributes article 8. Much more...   WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Video Podcast World War One Centennial News: March 22, 2017 World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week Wilson’s Cabinet Unanimously Backs War Headline: Wilson’s Cabinet Unanimously Backs War The sinking of three American ships, one of which was without warning and the deaths of American citizens on the high seas, had boxed Wilson into a corner. The Germans showed no signs that they were willing to back down despite repeated warnings, even if this meant a confrontation with US Navy. On March 20, Wilson met with his Cabinet and they reluctantly decided that military solution would be needed.  Wilson called for an extraordinary session of Congress to convene on April 2, to hear “a communication concerning grave matters of national policy.”  Wilson had decided to take the United States to war. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/158629628013/wilsons-cabinet-unanimously-backs-war French Government Resigns On the other side of the pond - things in France are really beginning to fall apart. Prime Minister, Aristide Briand - is just barely clinging onto power. The recently appointed commander-in-chief, Robert Nivelle, does not carry much authority in the government and on top of that to that he is subordinate, to General Lyautey, the Minister for War. It was a house of cards and the good General resigns one hundred years ago this week, Then… a few days later the prime minister resigns… Their departure starts a spiral that just continues to weaken the French government. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/158520105163/french-government-resigns The Great War Project So let’s continue our journey through the turmoil with Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog - Mike - I saw your post - Russian is in revolution, the French government is falling apart and the americans have had it with the German ship attacks. Tell us about your post! Headlines read: Turmoil Among the Allies Who Will Fight the War Now? www.greatwarproject.org/ The Great War in the Sky Meanwhile, let’s take a look at the war in the skies over France. 100 years ago this week in the great war in the sky, we meet Sgt. James McConnel. After attending the University of Virginia as an undergrad plus one year in law school,  he went back home to Carthage North Carolina to join his family... Then in 1915 he joined the ambulance corps in France, but soon applied for aviation training. By fall 1915 six Americans were serving as full fledged pilots for the French. It was during this period that McConnel suffered a back injury. I have read two accounts - one says from a bad landing the other says he fell off of something - we'll stick stick a bad landing - but that is not the interesting part... it was during his convalescence, that he decided to pen a book called "Flying for the French" - a personal memoir of combat - in the early days of the war in the sky. It was on March 19, 1917 McConnell was flying in the area of the Somme when two German planes came up on him and shot

This special edition is the press conference announcing: In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace:Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I Hosted by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commissionat the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, MO  

WW1 Centennial News for Wednesday March 15, 2017 Highlights 1.  1917 News - Wilson uses Executive order to arm merchant vessel - skips congress  2. Guest - Mike Shuster - Russia goes into revolt 3. Commission - Patrouille de France to perform at April 6th event  & VFW joins WW1 Poppy Program 4. States - Bill Betten talks about California task force 5. Article - WWrite Blog - author Jerri Bell introduces WWI Navy Yeoman First Class Marjory Stoneman. 6. Media Spotlight - Will Smith's production company Tackling Max Brooks' 'Harlem Hellfighters' 7. Much more... WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Video Podcast World War One Centennial News: March 15, 2017 World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week Wilson Arms Merchant Vessels and Authorizes Them to Fire on U-BoatsPickup Over the last three weeks, we have been talking about problems in the seas between the Germans and the US. One hundred years ago this week, we encounter a very frustrated president Wilson who makes a bold move to protect US merchant ships. On March 13th, 1917, Wilson decided that Congressional approval was not strictly necessary, and implemented by executive order. Most of the Armed Ships Bill state that any American-flagged vessel which desired a naval gun could request one, provided that it would be manned by trained officers and sailors of the US Navy. Follow the link in the chatroom to find out more. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/158376995433/wilson-arms-merchant-vessels-and-authorizes-them Great War Project There’s not just drumbeat to war here, there is growing chaos in other parts of the world. Mike Shuster with the Great War Project blog joins us to explain what was taking place in Russia. LINK: www.greatwarproject.org/ War in the Sky Next, let’s find out what was happening this week, in the skies over Europe in today’s War In The Sky segment. High flying zeppelins mark a new strategy for Germany LINK: http://ww1cc.org/warinthesky The Great War Channel This week, the Great War Channel has posted four new episodes. Serbian Field Marshal Stepa Stepanovic I WHO DID WHAT IN WW1?2. British India During World War 1 Camouflage Patterns - Funerary Practices - Prisoner Exchange Link:https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW Commission News Patrouille de France to perform at April 6th event in KC The famed Patrouille de France (or PAF) will perform in the skies over Kansas City as part of the national commemoration event on April 6th, marking the 100 year anniversary of US entry into war. This PAF show will be part of their 2017 USA tour to express gratitude for US support to France during WWI. The Patrouille de France is the precision aerobatic demonstration team of the French Air Force. If you love the Blue Angels, you’re going to love them too. For more information, follow the link in the chatroom. Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/2015-patrouille-de-france-to-perform-at-april-6th-event-in-kansas-city.html VFW joins WW1CC Poppy Program An update on the poppy program - last week The Veterans of Foreign Wars, has officially partnered with the Commission on the program. The VFW has long advocated for our veterans, and we thank them for helping to raise awareness of the sac

WW1 Centennial News for Wednesday March 1, 2017, at 12pm EDT Highlights 1.  1917 News - Supreme Court Rules Germany Cannot Keep Prize Ships in US  2. Guest - Mike Shuster - America, Mexico, Germany, Turkey & Russia all in the news THEN and NOW 3. Commission - American Association for State and Local History joins WW1 Poppy Program 4. Commission - New England WW1 Centennial Region launched 5. Article - WWrite Blog -Tracy Crow links her own experience as a female Marine to the extraordinary yet forgotten history of Lela Leibrand 6. Social Media - Focus on Women's Month with great posts on women and WW1 7. Much more...   WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Video Podcast World War One Centennial News: Episode #9 March 8, 2017 World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week Supreme Court Rules Germany Cannot Keep Prize Ships in US Due to their deteriorating diplomatic relations, Germany had lost the right to conduct business at America’s shipping ports. In response, they called upon a treaty signed in 1799 that allowed the German government to claim that she could send prize ships to the United States, keep them there indefinitely, and even sell off their cargoes there.  If this were the case, German auxiliary cruisers and long-range submarines could essentially use the United States as a base, sending captured prizes back to the United States for safekeeping and profit. On March 6 1917, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled against the Germans and put an end to this practice. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/158091172688/supreme-court-rules-germany-cannot-keep-prize Great War Project Blog Debate Sharpens Amidst Submarine Attacks, Secret Plotting. Britain Regaining Offensive; Russia Collapsing. Across the globe a century ago, events are speeding up, with the United States hurtling toward war. “The Zimmerman telegram was published in the United States on March 1st, LINK: www.greatwarproject.org/ War in the Sky Next, let’s find out what was happening this week, in today’s War In The Sky segment. Theo, take it away. LINK: http://ww1cc.org/warinthesky The Great War Channel Take and a look and share interesting stories about those who served 100 years ago in WWI 100 years ago, by viewing three new episodes on the Great War Channel. Russia Before the 1917 Revolution Liechtenstein, San Marino, Monaco and Andorra in WW1 Conrad Loses His Job - Nivelle's Coup Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW Commission News American Association for State and Local History joins WW1 Poppy Program We here at the Commission would like welcome the partnership of the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) in the new WW1 Poppy Program. This state and local history association is a national organization that provides leadership and support for its members, who preserve and interpret state and local history, in order to make the past more meaningful to all people. They have over six thousand members – thanks for helping to plant the seeds of remembrance. Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/1980-american-association-for-state-and-local-history-aaslh-joins-ww1cc-poppy-program.html Poppy Program Link:

Highlights Guest - Mike Shuster - President Wilson’s response to Germany’s U-Boat campaign Announcement - Commissioner John “Jack”  D. Monahan sworn in Guest - Philip Sneed, chair of the Colorado WW1 Centennial steering committee Post - 100C/100M WW1 memorial restoration project on Governors Island in New York Article - Commissioner Monique Seefried on the April 6th significance Article - Robert Laplander 3rd edition of book “Finding the Lost Battalion” and “Doughboy MIA” site WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Video Podcast World War One Centennial News: March 1st 2017 World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week British Expeditionary Force to Carry Out French Orders After months of ongoing carnage at the Somme, Prime Minister Lloyd George had become dissatisfied with Douglas Haig’s performance.  He was, however, impressed by the French commander, General Nivelle, who promised to break through the German lines with a swift offensive. On February 27th, George proposed that all Allied armies in France be placed under Neville's command. Follow the link in the chatroom to find out how the British generals reacted. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157795523243/british-expeditionary-force-to-carry-out-french Great War Project But the big story this week 100 years ago is President Wilson’s response to Germany’s U-Boat campaign. And this is the story of Mike Shuster’s post this week. Welcome Mike. LINK: www.greatwarproject.org/ War in the Sky One hundred year ago this week the story of the Great War In The Sky involves Navy Lt. Kenneth Whitting. It was this week 100 years ago that he proposed to United States Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels that the Navy acquire a ship with an aircraft catapult and a flight deck, prompting the first serious U.S. Navy consideration of such an acquisition. Whitting was a visionary who had started even a year prior in 1916, to campaign for the U.S. Navy development of what were then called "plane carriers". He was always a visionary - who started his naval career as a pioneer in submarines - but in 1914 his request to become an aviator was granted and he reported to the Wright Company in Dayton Ohio to learn to fly. In fact he was the last naval officer to take flight training from Orville Wright personally. Alright so in March he proposed the first sort-of aircraft carrier, in April American declares war, in May Whitting is selected to command the 1st Naval Air Unit. He, seven officers and 122 enlisted men board ships to cross the Atlantic to France becoming the first officers and men of the regular fighting forces of the United States to land in France... As reported on June 8 in the OFFICIAL BULLETIN - Published Daily under order of the President by the committee for public information (the official US war bulletin) What about that carrier proposal? Well - 2 weeks after he and his men arrive in France the Navy rejected the idea - and Whitting had to wait until 1922 when he was made commanding officer of the US's first actual aircraft carrier the CV-1 USN Langley. But that quest began 100 years ago this week for the Great War in The sky. LINK: http://ww1cc.org/warinthesky https://books.google.com/books?

Highlights WW1 Poppy Program web site goes live Colorado web site goes Live Mathew Naylor President/CEO of WW1 Museum in KC on April 6 event Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun - African-American heroes are a part of a vanishing World War I legacy American Legion Post 196 in Brownwood, Texas submission to 100C/100M program Feb. 2017 Education Newsletter comes out. February 22, 2017 Intro Welcome to World War One Centennial News. It’s about WW1 news 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Today is February 15, 2017 and your host is Theresa Sims… World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week Q-Ship Farnborough Sinks U-83 On February 17th, the HMS Farnborough (also known as (Q-5) of the British Royal Navy used a daring strategy to defeat U-83 of the German Imperial Navy. Instead of engaging the U-boat, the Farnborough intentionally allowed itself to get hit by a torpedo and sink. The crew then pretended to abandoned ship, and when the submarine emerged from the sea, the ship open fired and sunk it. The Allies had had few victories over the submarines since the start of the new U-boat campaign, the defeat of U-83 was the third. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157359106413/q-ship-farnborough-sinks-u-83 Arabs Begin Raiding Hejaz Railway On February 20th, a Hashemite (HasheMITE) Arab force attacked the Hejaz (Heyjaxx) Railway and destroyed a nearby bridge. The railway served as the only reliable connection between the Turkish garrison in Medina and the rest of the Ottoman Empire. This was the first of many raids that would hamper the Turkish forces in Medina, which would soon run short on food. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157510518768/arabs-begin-raiding-hejaz-railway The Great War ChannelCut some This week on the Great War Channel, they have three new episodes. Medical Treatment in World War 1 French Railway Guns Russian Bombing On The Eastern Front Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar War in the Sky Feb. 26, 1917 in anticipation of a possible entry World War I by the US, Marine Corps aviator Alfred A. Cunningham receives orders to head to the the Philadelphia Navy Yard and to establish, equip, and command an aviation company for a Marine Corps advance base force. Rolling back in time, The military history of aviation in the US started with the Army. The Aeronautical Division of the Signal Corps was set up in August 1907; its first plane was acquired from the Wright Brothers in 1909. The Navy constructed a platform on a cruiser, the Birmingham where a civilian pilot flew the first time in 14 November 1910; the Navy's first three planes were delivered in July the next year in 1911. One year after that, in 1912, Cunningham was ordered from Annapolis for flight training at the Burgess aircraft plant at Marblehead, Mass., and soloed in August...  after just 2 hours and 40 minutes of flight instruction. He became a member of the Chambers Board along with six naval officers, assuring the Marines of a representative in naval aviation almost from the beginning. In an interesting twist of love and love of flying, in 1913 Cunningham asked to be detached from f

Highlights US World War One Centennial Commission Chairman - Robert Dalessandro "Leading up to April 6" Chag Lowry - Native Americans in WW1 from a graphic novelist perspective "Stories of Service" and "Family Ties" introduced by Chris Christopher Pritzker Military Museum and Library: Now in progress "Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing" American Legion Post 43 - Hollywood gets busy! WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Video Podcast February 15, 2017 Intro Welcome to World War One Centennial News. It’s about WW1 news 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Today is February 15, 2017 and your host is Theresa Sims… World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week Housatonic from 1864 Last week we highlighted the sinking of the US ship Housatonic at the hands of a German Submarine.  This week, we look back even further than one hundred years. On February 17th, 1864, the USS Housatonic was sunk off the coast of Charleston South Carolina by a Confederate submarine. This was the first ship sunk by a submarine in history. This is truly an odd coincidence. Link: http://www.cnrs-scrn.org/northern_mariner/vol17/tnm_17_3_41-66.pdf UK to Halt Construction on All Battlecruisers Except the Hood Last week, we talked about how Erich Ludendorff halted the construction of any new Hindenburg plants. This week Britain ended all construction of capital naval ships. At this stage of the war, a shortage of resources forced the Germans to halt construction of their own capital ships. The British had maintained an advantage in this area and so they halted construction as well.  On February 8, the War Cabinet cancelled construction of three new battlecruisers, only letting work on the Hood proceed as planned. If you want to know more about this, we’re posting two links. One two the story and another to the a lecture at Ohio State University on Financing the First World War. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157001770968/uk-to-halt-construction-on-all-battlecruisers http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/educate/history/the-war-to-end-all-wars/1599-osu-2016-financing-the-first-world-war.html Austria-Hungary Refuses to Break Diplomatic Relations with US Germany’s submarine campaign in the Atlantic may have soured relations with the US, but a path to peace still existed.  Emperor Charles of Austria refused to break off relations with the United States, despite being asked personally by Kaiser Wilhelm.  Charles still sought a negotiated peace, and knew that it would be difficult without the United States.  Unfortunately, Germany refused to cease unrestricted submarine warfare. The article is a great read, follow the link. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/157177094173/austria-hungary-refuses-to-break-diplomatic The Great War Channel This week on the Great War Channel, they have four new episodes instead of three. Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery During World War 1 Bulgaria Digs In At Doiran (the former Macedonia) The Year of Battles Comes To An End Finally, a couple of weeks ago, Florian Wittig an