Visiting the American WWI Memorials, Monuments and Cemeteries in France: How, Why & Where?

Описание: American War Memories in France: An Invitation to Visit U.S. First World War memorials, monuments and cemeteries.
A France Revisited “Conversation with an Expert” in which Gary Lee Kraut, editor of France Revisited, francerevisited.com, speaks with Ben Brands, the historian with the American Battle Monuments Commission, ABMC.gov.
This presentation is intended for international travelers interested in visiting these sights as well as for armchair travelers.
Recorded on November 10, 2022, with an audience (via Zoom) of readers of France Revisited. Several segments were rerecorded shortly thereafter for coherence and to correct technical issues. With thanks to the ABMC for their participation and in particular to Ben Brands for sharing his knowledge, insights and passion during this presentation.
A France Revisited© Conversation with an Expert.
© 2022. All rights reserved.

Use the timeline below to skip to any aspects or sights of particular interest. The speaker, whether Gary Lee Kraut (GLK) or Ben Brands (BB), is indicated in parenthesis.

Timeline for this presentation
0:00:00 Introduction by Gary Lee Kraut
0:05:40 Ben Brands presents the work of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)
0:07:12 Who is Ben Brands? What is his role as historian at the ABMC? His tour of duty as a company commander in Afghanistan.
0:12:22 A comparison between a WWII map of the Invasion of Normandy 1944 and WWI maps of northern and northeastern France and Belgium. (GLK)
0:15:24 Americans entrance into war. Pershing visits Lafayette’s tomb in the Picpus Cemetery in Paris. (BB)
0:18:39 The annual changing of the American flag over Lafayette’s tomb in Paris. (GLK)
0:19:30 Origins and evolution of the ABMC. (BB)
0:23:35 Lafayette Escadrille Memorial. (BB)
0:27:41 Suresnes American Cemetery. (GLK, BB)
0:32:00 Mont Valérien, a major French WWII memorial, a 5-minute walk from the Suresnes American Cemetery. (GLK)
0:34:17 The American Naval Monument at Brest. (BB)
0:36:39 Why didn’t the Germans intentionally harm the Allies’ WWI sights during WWII? American involvement in the Somme. The Somme American Cemetery. (BB)
0:40:35 Cantigny. (BB, GLK)
0:42:09 Amiens and the American Red Cross huts at the former Cosserat Textile Factory. (GLK)
0:45:01 Art Deco in Saint Quentin and Reims. (GLK)
0:46:33 The American Monument at Château-Thierry, Paul Cret, Belleau Wood, the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. (BB)
0:57:52 The French-American House if Friendship in Château-Thierry. (GLK)
0:58:34 The Oise-Aisne American Cemetery. (BB)
1:01:04 Quentin Roosevelt. (BB)
1:05:08 Anne Morgan and the National Museum of French American Cooperation in the Château de Blérancourt. (GLK)
1:05:56 The Saint Mihiel American Cemetery and the Montsec American Monument. (BB)
1:09:20 Philanthopist Belle Skinner and the village of Hattonchâtel. (GLK)
1:10:18 Verdun. (GLK)
1:11:56 The Montfaucon American Monument. (BB)
1:14:18 African-American soldiers: segregation, heroes, awards and burials. Jewish grave markers. (BB)
1:20:52 The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. (BB)
1:23:09 The Romagne German Cemetery, Jean-Paul de Vries’ Romagne 14-18, Sergeant York. (GLK)
1:25:17 The French and American Tombs of the Unknown Soldier. (BB)
1:27:25 Conclusion by Gary and Ben.