Papers and photographs, 1917-1985 [bulk 1917-1920].

ArchivalResource

Falck, Alfred, J., 1894-1962. Papers and photographs, 1917-1985 [bulk 1917-1920].

Papers and photographs, 1917-1985 [bulk 1917-1920].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/428110279

Manuscripts and photographs pertaining to the service of Alfred J. Falck, a Morrison, Wisconsin veteran who served with the Machine Gun Company, 127th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Division during World War I. The manuscripts consist mainly of letters Falck wrote home to his family while he was training at Camp McArthur (Texas), Camp Merritt (New Jersey), and overseas in France. While he was in training, Falck writes of wanting to hear about events at home, life at the camp, and his excitement over machine gun training. Falck also requests his family, specifically his sister, Josephine, send him specific items from home. After arriving in France in March of 1918, he writes of wanting to drive the Germans back and cannot understand why some Wisconsin residents were German sympathizers. He also writes about seeing aerial dogfights, being bombed by German airplanes and the constant shelling of German artillery. The letters Falck wrote to his brother, Earl, go into more description of combat; including life in the trench, constantly having to rid himself of "cooties," and hoping to participate in the capture of German prisoners. One letter to his brother (December 21, 1918) provides an overview of his experiences and describes the Second Battle of the Marne. There is also one letter written to Falk from a French woman named Louise. In the letter, written in French, Louise wishes him a safe return and that she hopes the two of them will be able to meet one again. It appears she also sent a photograph of herself, which he then sent home to his family. A transcription of the letter by the donor is also included. The collection also contains newspaper articles, ephemeral items Falck collected while in France, service records, and military papers, including an interesting daily log for the Machine Gun Company, 127th Infantry. There are also training materials, which include interesting instructions on how to fire machine guns at airplanes. Other interesting items are a collection of poems and songs including one poem written by a friend about trench life. The photographs include images of Falck posing in uniform and with fellow servicemen, an oversized published photograph of the 127th Infantry at Camp Merritt after returning to the United States, a photograph of Louise, and a series of Signal Corps photographs depicting scenes from the war.

Papers : 0.4 linear ft. (1 archives box) and.Photographs : 0.1 linear ft. (5 folders and 1 oversized folder) and.Paper prints : 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder)

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Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center