Discovered in a used bookstore in Western Massachusetts.
This book, written in 1919, is a contemporaneous account of the 26th Infantry Division’s (aka – the Yankee Division) formation, deployment and battles during World War I. The Yankee Division were the first National Guard troops deployed to France during the war, and were involved in many of the critical battles that ensured victory for the allies. In addition to descriptions from veterans, the book also contains official orders and after-action reports written by officers, including Major General Clarence Edwards.
As a veteran of the Yankee Division, I knew that our unit had a long and storied history. Until reading this book, I didn’t understand the magnitude of that history, nor the personal stories of heroism and sacrifice of the soldiers and officers during the Great War.
The Army should require that all NCOs and officers read the histories of their units. Books like this are a great place to start.