Follow these links to other WWI websites that might interest you. What other sites should be added?
Deutsches Erinnerungskomitee Argonnerwald EV (DEA). http://www.argonnerwald.de
This long-time German association has “taken on the task of: registering the still existing remains of World War I in the Argonne Forest and at Vauquois with the intention of protecting them from destruction or restoring those witnesses of the pain and sacrifices of our ancestors…” In association with other international organizations, the DEA achieves these goals by working to research, restore and preserve the remains. I have been a member since 1994, and have joined the DEA on three work weekends over the years. Members speak a good mix of German, French and English. Visit their website for scheduled activities.
The Great War Socity (GWS). http://www.the-great-war-society.org/
“The Great War Society encourages discussion, learning, scholarship and independent research on the events surrounding the First World War.” While I am not a member, I am impressed with this association’s scholarly approach to research WWI. The society has a strong concentration of membership, and a few chapters, in California. It also has a very active website and hosts annual seminars.
Les Amis de Vauquois et de sa region (Les Amis). http://pagesperso-orange.fr/VAUQUOIS.GUERRE.14.18/
This long-term French association has worked with the local French parishes of Clermont en Argonne and Vauquois and other organizations to preserve Vauquois Hill, the scene of intense underground mining in the early years of the war. The preserved area includes numerous above- and below-ground installations. I have been a member of this organization off an on. My only frustration is with MY very limited command of French. Visit the website to learn about activities and tour times.
Western Front Association (WFA) http://www.westernfront.co.uk
This UK organization was established in 1980, and boasts over 6,000 members worldwide organized in branches across the globe. This makes it the largest English-speaking organization of WWI historians and enthusiasts. It also publishes two periodicals. While the membership and periodical content reflects the overwhelming UK membership, an increasing number of articles covering the American and other sectors of the war have been submitted and printed. Also, the knowledge base of its UK members is something that American readers should tap into.
WFA-US Branch http://www.wfa-usa.org/new/index.cfm
There is actually a national branch of the WFA in the U.S. as well as several regional chapters. The national branch publishes two publications and hosts a national seminar. The regional chapters also hold meetings throughout the year. This is a great source of contacts and information for Americans interested in visiting the Western Front.
Run by the University of Oxford, the aim of this initiative was to collect together material related to the First World War held by members of the public to help keep the memory alive of the sacrifices made during World War One. The final collection will be made available free of charge via the Web on the 11th November 2008, the 90th anniversary of the Armistice.
The LOC has placed the WWI issues of Stars and Stripes on the internet, and they can be downloaded in a variety of formats.
War Grave Associations
American Battle Monuments Commission http://www.abmc.gov
Commonwealth War Graves Commission http://www.cwgc.org
Le Souvenir Français http://www.souvenir-francais.com
Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge eV http://www.volksbund.de
While not yet in existence, the goal is to create a museum in Fléville that will "Tell the glorious history of the 16th Infantry Regiment and other Regiments that used to be or are still part of the First Infantry Division..." The museum was named in memory of one of its soldiers, Arthur S. Tozar.
This is the new website for Mr. Jean-Paul DeVries' private museum in Romagne, France. It is definitely worth a stop when visiting the American and German cemeterites in Romagne.
WWI Websites Published by Historians and Enthusiasts
Aftermath. When the Boys Come Home http://aftermathww1.com/index.asp
A rather sobering and biting look at the human cost of the war, with a focus on life after the war.
A section of Trenches on the Web, maintained by the Great War Society, discussed above.
Chris Baker's WWI site. Especially worth checking out is the Great War Discussion Forum on his site.
Militärgeschichte zum Anfassen (To Touch Military History) http://www.weltkriegsbuch.de
Markus Klauer's webpage. Markus is a member of the DEA. He has also been a long-term friend and a very good source of information on the German Army. While his website is in German, he speaks English and French well. He has published three books in German: two on the Verdun battlefields and one general battlefield guidebook.
Doug Mastrianos's site outlining his team's efforts to locate and mark the spot where Sgt. Alvin C. York earned the Medal of Honor on October 8, 1918.
Tom Morgan’s Hellfire Corner http://www.fylde.demon.co.uk/welcome.htm
Long-established WWI website, and my inspiration for this website. I particularly like the News & Events section.
Maintained by the Great War Society, discussed above.
Battlefield-oriented website produced by two Dutchmen. Comprehensive links page too.
Michael Prisille's and Oliver Scheer's Verdun page. Both members are active in the DEA.
Established by German historian Marcus Massing. Marcus is very active, and has organized tours and seminars covering the Verdun salient. CRIFA stands for the Cologne Research Institute of Fortification Architecture.
Andy Pouncey's website that combines his years of collecting memorabilia with the stories behind the collections.
Book Dealers
Abebooks.com http://www.abe.com/
Abebooks.com, “the world’s largest online marketplace for used, rare, and out-of-print books,” brings buyers and dealers together on the internet.
Good source for digitalized versions of most of the WWI American divisional histories.
German Patrick Schallert has put many hard-to-find German regimental histories on CD Rom; offering them at a very low price.
Zentrales Verzeichnis Antiquarischer Buecher (Central Registry of Antiquarian Books) http://www.zvab.com
The German equivalent of Abebooks.com, with thousands of German antiquarian dealers. Now part of Choose Books.com.
Guy Smith and Jerry Whitehead have put together a very unique computer-based product that allows users to switch between / view / compare current topographical maps and period trench maps of the same site. Their product, in its various forms, covers most of the Commonwealth portion and a bit of the French portion of the Western Front. As of late 2009, it does not yet cover the American portions of the battlefield.
I haven't worked my way around this French language website yet, but it is my understanding that you can order the IGN blue series maps (1:25,000) from it.
The phone number for the U.S. office for Michelin in North Carolina is 888-610-5122.
Michelin Hotel and Restaurant Guide www.viamichelin.com
French Tourist Office www.tourisme.fr
Hotel and Restaurant Guide, Lorraine Tourist Office. http://www.crt-lorraine.fr/pages/fr/161.htm
Gîtes de France Website for Vacation Houses. http://www.gites-de-france.fr
Ferme Lafayette, Montfaucon http://www.ferme-lafayette.com
This used to be the Crispin Suites Guest House run by the Steele Family. It's now under new, Belgian, ownership.
This is my favorite hotel to stay at. It's just a typical, small, French country hotel about 20 minutes West of Verdun. Don't expect to speak English with the owners. The food is good, but simple; the rooms are basic, but comfortable; and it's a real taste of rural France.