 |
| 100th Anniversary Memorial. Langemark, Belgium. WWI remembrance ceremonies are taking place across Europe from 2014 through 2018. In the United States events will peak during the fall of 2018. Photo by Chris Monroe |
Detroit, MI, USA
 |
| Tyne Cot Commonwealth Cemetery. Passendale, Belgium Tyne Cot is the resting place of 11,965 soldiers from the British commonwealth forces in WWI. Photo by Chris Monroe |
The United States is a country of excess and superlatives. We all "need" the biggest cars. We always "need" our own house with its own yard. Our claims for "need" are often luxuries others nations consider excess. In my opinion, this is similar to the American psyche as it relates to war as well. We recall with ease the American Civil War because of the 600,000 killed and the legendary participants whose names are drilled into us at a young age. We remember World War Two and Vietnam because of the blockbuster movies that came of their stories. And we remember Iraq and Afghanistan because it has become America's longest armed conflict. It is current and comes with a tremendous amount of raw video footage to recall at a moments notice via YouTube and other streaming outlets.
But what about World War I? Can you recall the names of any famous battles or campaigns? Can you name any famous Soldiers who are memorialized for their heroics? Can you name any movies that recall famous scenes on battlefields of glory?
The years 2017 and 2018 represent the 100th anniversary of American involvement in WWI. While the world was at war from 1914 through 1918, American involvement in the conflict came far later, and for a relatively brief period of time. Officially the United States was involved from April 1917 until November 1918. But in reality, Americans were only in combat for seven and a half months. Amassing 110,000 deaths in this short period, the American forces lost an average of 482 soldiers per day.
 |
| Yorkshire Trench, Ypres, Belgium There were more than 25,000 trenches throughout Europe, more than the circumference of the entire earth. Photo by Chris Monroe |
So why do we not recall this war the same way we recall other major armed conflicts? First, the video footage from this time is primitive. Most of the footage does not follow the same script that we see from WW2 footage, or modern footage from Vietnam with GI's waving to the camera or helicopters flying overhead. It is very grainy and hard to follow as most clips last only a matter of seconds. In fact, very little footage of Americans in combat actually exists. The majority of footage is from British and German photographers who were embedded on the front lines.
Secondly, Americans did not cling to names from World War I the same way they did in World War II; General Pershing being the most obvious exception to this. Military aficionados like myself probably recognize plenty names but we probably cannot list the accomplishments like we could do for Patton or Bradley. But names of a group like The Harlem Hellfighters, an all-black National Guard unit deserve to have their stories told just as much as the Tuskegee Airmen, General Patton, Band of Brothers, or others immortalized in WWII silver screen features.
Lastly, I believe World War I gets lost in the mix because it is not "an American war." As much as we want to believe that we came in, kicked ass, and won the war, this is just not the case. Whereas America was attacked at Peal Harbor pulling us in to WWII, just as the attacks on September 11, 2001 dragged us in to a prolonged war in Afghanistan and Iraq, WWI does not have that same sort of clearly defined call to arms for Americans.
"It may seem like a word game, but renaming The Great War as The First World War changed it's meaning. Officially highlighting the sense that 1914-18 had been a failed attempt to end war." -David Reynolds, The Long Shadow
 |
| Montfaucon American Monument. Montfaucon-d'Argonne, France Montfaucon American Monument towers over the ruins of the town of the same name. The town was so completely destroyed by American artillery that it was not rebuilt. Photo by Chris Monroe |
It is imperative that we do not forget about World War I here in America. The events that took place across the world from 1914 to 1918 not only changed the course of history for the lands the battles were fought in, but they laid the groundwork for World War II, The Cold War, and complicated international diplomacy that is still active on a global scale to this very day. It is the singular event responsible for our modern global system of treaties and alliances that attempt to maintain a very fragile peace.
As the world continues their commemoration of WWI, remembering it by whatever term is commonplace in that part of the world, I will look back at the war and the battlefields I have visited over the last 3 years and write a bit about my thoughts formed by emotional visits to the battlefields and cemeteries that dot the European landscape. I believe the stories of honor, valor, and horror should be told. We must keep the memories of this nearly-forgotten war alive in order to honor the millions buried around the world.
Somme American Cemetery. Bony France.
Somme American Cemetery is the final resting place of 1,844 Americans killed in battle
in the surrounding area. 30,996 Americans killed in action and 4,457 missing in action from
World War I are interred or memorialized in cemeteries across Europe.
Video by Chris Monroe
"We cant just feel The Great War as a piece of poetry or a stark morality play. We need to understand it's history. A history that cast long shadows over the years that followed." -David Reynolds, The Long Shadow
Chris Monroe
NOTE:
The Long Shadow: The Legacies of The Great War in the Twentieth Century is a book and documentary film series from British historian David Reynolds. It explores World War One's impact on the world from the events of the war all the way through the present day. It is available in book form on Amazon and in video form on Netflix.
No comments:
Post a Comment