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Showing posts from May 31, 2026

Welcome to ww1 FRAGMENTS

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ww 1 FRAGMENTS   is  a quiet space where I share small pieces of history from the First World War. Over the past several years, I’ve written or published more than seventeen books about the Great War, each exploring different moments, experiences, voices, and first-person accounts from the conflict— fragments that still resonate more than a century later. Every week, I’ll be posting short passages from my books, occasional photographs, and small historical details that deserve a place of their own. Nothing long or overwhelming—just special moments from the Great War, presented one fragment at a time.   Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you’ll join me on this quiet journey into yesterday. . . . . . Next time: KILLING FIELDS of WORLD WAR ONE by Cotter Bass.   Never miss a new Post! Scroll down to the lower left sidebar to enter your email address for your FREE subscription. You’ll get every new Post from ww1 FRAGMENTS sent straight to your inb...

OVER THE TOP

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OVERVIEW: OVER THE TOP by Arthur Guy Empey is a historical account written during World War I and published in 1917. The narrative chronicles Empey's personal experiences and observations as a soldier in the British Army, particularly focusing on the realities of trench warfare, the camaraderie among soldiers, and the stark contrast between the idealistic views of war and its brutal realities. Empey recounts his adventures as he transitions from a civilian in Jersey City to a machine gunner and bomber in the trenches of France, touching on the absurdities of military bureaucracy, the quest for comradeship, and the struggle of American soldiers to find their place within the British ranks. Empey’s distinctive voice illuminates the humorous yet sobering nuances of military life, setting the stage for the harrowing and often grim experiences that will follow as he goes Over the Top into battle.  The following excerpt from OVER THE TOP is titled 5 . MUD, RATS, AND SHELLS: 5. MUD,...