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Two American soldiers march with an angel overhead. In the background, a woman with a Red Cross flag leads ships, tanks, planes, soldiers marching and hauling cannon. The postcard by Arthur Mayeur for the August, 1918 Pas-de-Calais Days was to raise funds for widows in the Département Pas-de-Calais in northwestern France. The first fundraisers were held on August 13 and 15, 1916, the second two years later on August 13, 18, and 23, 1918. Mayeur illustrated fundraising postcards on both occasions, with three in 1918. America entered the war in April, 1917, but did not join the battle till May of 1918. Thanks to fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journée_du_Pas-de-Calais, August 7, 2018, for information.
Text:
La Journée du Pas-de-Calais; Pas-de-Calais day, août 1918.
Nous gagnerons la guerre!
We shall win the war.
Reverse:
Imp. Lafontaine, 27 Rue Froideveaux - Visé Paris.

Two American soldiers march with an angel overhead. In the background, a woman with a Red Cross flag leads ships, tanks, planes, soldiers marching and hauling cannon. The postcard by Arthur Mayeur for the August, 1918 Pas-de-Calais Days was to raise funds for widows in the Département Pas-de-Calais in northwestern France. The first fundraisers were held on August 13 and 15, 1916, the second two years later on August 13, 18, and 23, 1918. Mayeur illustrated fundraising postcards on both occasions, with three in 1918. America entered the war in April, 1917, but did not join the battle till May of 1918. Thanks to fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journée_du_Pas-de-Calais, August 7, 2018, for information.

Image text

La Journée du Pas-de-Calais; Pas-de-Calais day, août 1918.

Nous gagnerons la guerre!

We shall win the war.



Reverse:

Imp. Lafontaine, 27 Rue Froideveaux - Visé Paris.

Other views: Larger

Sunday, August 18, 1918

"Next morning [August 18, 1918] the Germans attempted to reënter Frapelle but were repelled by the Americans who were holding on to the much-battered remnants of the village. The casualties suffered were heavy for the result achieved. A total of 571 casualties of whom 1 officer and 35 men were killed and 11 officers and 176 men were gassed, was a costly affair for taking so small a section of useless trench, except that it gave the division its first taste of actual war. Relieved on August 23, the 5th Division moved to the American Area and joined the First American Army Corps."

Quotation Context

The 5th Division was in the Vosges mountains, and easily took the village of Frapelle on August 17. Holding it the next day was a far greater challenge. Until August 25, 1918, American troops had been fighting under French or British command. Although some continued to do so, the formation of the First American Army Corps began to bring most under direct American command under General John J. Pershing. Frapelle is about 70 km southeast of Strasbourg.

Source

The History of The A.E.F. by Shipley Thomas, page 199, copyright © 1920, by George H. Doran Company, publisher: George H. Doran Company, publication date: 1920

Tags

1918-08-18, 1918, August, Pas-de-Calais Day