April 11, 2008

90 years later, honoring the dead

Amidst a hail of artillery shells exploding in clouds of poison gas in a tiny French village 90 years ago, American troops got their first real taste of the horrors of World War I’s trench warfare.

“A hellish rain of steel” fell on the 26th “Yankee” Division of raw soldiers from New England holding the line at Seicheprey, according to German newspapers at the time.

The bodies of the dead, including eight men from Bristol, were so thick that they barricaded the way for the advancing enemy “who had to drive the Americans from houses, gardens and cellars,” a Berlin newspaper reported.

“But even then Americans continued to fight so tenaciously that they were nearly all killed,” the paper said.

“Brave troops were annihilated almost to the last,” the Cologne Gazette reported.

One of the units that took the brunt of the April 20, 1918 fighting was Bristol’s Company D of the 102nd Infantry, a National Guard outfit that hadn’t been on the lines in France long before elite German units targeted the 1.5-mile long, American-held sector of the front at Seichepry.

Aiming to teach the Americans a lesson, and perhaps send them scurrying back across the ocean, the Germans advanced through the shattered landscape, but counterattacks quickly pushed them back.

It was, in the big picture, just another meaningless bloodbath in one of history’s most gruesome wars – “the war to end all wars,” as President Woodrow Wilson once proclaimed.

Though accounts vary, it appears that at least 81 Americans were killed in the two-day battle, 401 were wounded and 187 went missing or were captured. The Germans lost even more.

It proved the most deadly battle for Bristol troops in the city’s history, claiming eight men who hailed from this small manufacturing town, then home to about 20,000 people, a terrible toll by any measure.

Today, Seicheprey is “a tiny rural village, a farming community, very pretty and very quiet on a Sunday morning,” according to Farmington resident Jill Knight Weinberger, who visited the town recently while touring the battlefields where her grandfather fought.

Set among the rolling hills of northern France, about 20 miles from the birthplace of Joan of Arc, there’s not much to indicate why men poured death onto one another to possess it.

But its name still conjures up the ghosts of heroes.

The American Legion post on Hooker Court is known formally as the Seicheprey Post #2 to honor those who fell in defense of their country at that awful battle.

There is a marker in the village, Weinberger said in a recent note to city veterans, that the state of Connecticut sent in 1923 to commemorate the fighting “in the firm belief that the friendship of Frenchmen and Americans sealed in this place in battle shall serve the cause of peace among all nations.”

Though peace remains all too elusive, the hope for a better world that sent Theon Davis, J. Driscoll, Eric G. Hedquist, Damase J. LaFlame, William Lagasse, Elmer G. Linden, Joseph V. Pratt and William J. Schaeffer to die at Seicheprey also remains.

Perhaps someday, through the tangled web of memory and shifting tides of history, their sacrifices will, finally, help to bring the peace they died to achieve.

In the meantime, an hour-long ceremony is planned for 11 a.m., Saturday, April 19 at the World War I monument on Memorial Boulevard to mark the anniversary of the battle. In case of rain, the ceremony will be held at the Legion post at 22 Hooker Court.

The Bristol men who died at Seichepry were:

Theon Davis
Timothy J. Driscoll
Eric G. Hedquist
Damase J. LaFlame
William Lagasse
Elmer G. Linden
Joseph V. Pratt
William J. Schaefer

This is a drawing of the trenches at Seicheprey in 1918 by Cyrus Leroy Baldridge, a soldier who published the pictures he drew after the war.
PS: If you click on the pictures, you can see larger versions of them.

*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

39 comments:

patti d ewen said...

Beautiful piece....thanks.....patti

Anonymous said...

....Very interesting bit of history too. I hope they have a good turn out for the ceremony. These heroes definitely deserve the honor.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting! This is an event worth attending.

World War One is almost a forgotten war. It was so brutal and the aftermath led to
WW2 which in turn overshadowed it historically it seems.

What a terrible battle and what brave men these guys were. I can hardly imagine the carnage and the horror.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for an excellent piece. I'm not surprised all the crazy blog comment people are silent on this one. It's over their puny heads.

Anonymous said...

Very nice piece .

I just hope the pro-terrorist crowd doesn't start posting their trash in here and tarnish the article.

Worse yet would be for those scum to arrive and protest the ceremony on Sat.

Anonymous said...

And there is also a reception at the Historic Society bldg at 1:00pm that Jack Denehy is putting together since the Military Museum moved there from the Armory and he is going to have a lot of WWI memorabilia as well - definitely worth checking out....Jack has done a great job over the years keeping bristol's military history alive.

Anonymous said...

This is a good thing, but I hope they don't turn this into an annual event.

Anonymous said...

3:05pm - I knew it couldn't last, what an absolute stupid statement to make - "I hope that they don't make it an annual event" - it's been 90 years and this is the first recognition of the occasion - go trip over your pacifier so that mommy can pat your butt and make it all better.

Steve Collins said...

There was a public ceremony in 1924. I'm not sure if there's been one since. So I guess every 84 years...

Anonymous said...

I don't know about the "pro-terrorists" but the "Support the Troops in Iraq" rally last summer was really veterans benefits rally (for people who haven't been in the military for decades mostly). I found that sad, especially when there are kids fighting right now, who need our support in their efforts achieving victory.

Anonymous said...

Steve,

Great article on a time when duty and honor were not just words.

Please remove posts April 11, 2008 3:05 PM and April 12, 2008 9:03 AM and keep anything negative off this post. The boys who gave their lives so many years deserve nothing less.

Thanks for reminding us of these heroes.

Anonymous said...

10:48, if you believe it is appropriate for Steve to remove posts that simply express an opinion, then you have no clue whatsoever what America is about. Shame on you.

Anonymous said...

The last couple of Memorial day gatherings were not very successful in attracting people for a variety of reasons, so the point that the Veterans should pick and choose their events carefully so as to not dilute them is a point well taken.

Anonymous said...

Anthing that 'ole Jack does is "good stuff' as far as I'm concerned.

Anonymous said...

Thank Lori Defillippi for organizing another wonderful event! She is a veterans advocate for sure. Thank you Lori

Anonymous said...

April 14, 2008 9:20 AM:

I thought this was a ceremony for World War One soldiers killed in action?

Are the ones killed in action in the same catagory as people described as "veterans"? It pains me when people use the death of soldiers (heros) to persuade and manipulate others for their own special interests/needs.

I don't think that is what this event was.

Anonymous said...

11:24 - try reading the article again - even try and make believe that you are capable of comprehending it - the ceremony is in recognition of the Bristol men who died in the Battle of Seicheprey, France along with all of the "OTHER VETERANS" who served in this battle - what part of "VETERAN" don't you understand?
I don't see where anyone is "manipulating" or "persuading others" for their own specials interests or needs.
If you care so much about it, make sure that your butt is there to participate rather than sitting back to denigrate.

Anonymous said...

11:24..."manipulating others for their own special interests/needs"???....Wow, exactly what is your point? How is a ceremony to honor those who gave their lives a manipulation?

"Are the ones killed in action the same category as veterans?" .... Gosh no 11:24, those categorized as "veterans" were LUCKY enough to have come back alive....some of them much worse off for having survived....

It "pains YOU"??? .... You're a real piece of work whoever you are....

Anonymous said...

April 16, 2008 5:50 PM:

Get yourself together. I'm respoding to a post, not this article. If you, after serving in the peace time military, place yourself in the same catagory as ones who served in combat, that's your right. I do not. During the post-Viet nam, Cold War period most people knew we'd never go to war on the scale of the World Wars, Korea or Viet Nam. Many people were there for a lack of a better opportunity and the benefits. Quite frankly many of the people who were in the military at the time of 9/11 were there for personal gain, not patriotism and that's why they either were disgruntled or did their time and got out. I think all the man and women who served in combat during WW1, WW2, Korea, Viet Nam, Operation Enduring Freedom, the Guld Wars etc are heroic and the peace time, non combatants are lucky. They don't all belong in the same catagory nor do they all deserve the same recognition.

Anonymous said...

April 16, 2008 4:25 PM:

Since you never met any of these "veterans", speak for yourself.

Anonymous said...

April 16, 2008 4:25 PM, 5:50pm:

I hate to have to say this but I must. Today the term "veteran" describes anyone who served in the US military at any time. In the old days "veteran" referred to people who served during war.

Except for war time, being in the military was not always a place for patriots and brave soles but a decent place for people to serve, with free room and board, free meals, and a chance for personal acheivement for some who had few if any other opportunities. Since the draft ended in 1973, the military career was a path taken by a relative few (in this region of the country in particular) because college and other lucrative employment opportunities were available.

Even during the Viet Nam period many people were drafted into the military but never saw combat, or even heard the explosion of an enemy projectile. I'm sure there is stress involved in those situations, but there is stress in everyday life.

We honor our war dead and war combat heros rightfully. These people served (some non-voluntarily) and some paid the supreme sacrifice. What "pains me" is when peace time soldiers who are now catagorized under the same unbrella (as "veterans") as the ones who were killed or served in war try and emulate the same stature as those who did. I'm sorry being in the army may be a sacrifice for some, but it is in no way comparable to serving in combat when every day could be your last one on earth, and you must prepare as such.

Anonymous said...

....8:45, Exactly which of the above posts mentions anything about this ceremony being anything other than a tribute to those who gave their lives at the battle of Seicheprey? Other than the veterans who are sponsoring the event, there is absolutely no mention of veterans (either from war time or during time of peace).

So sorry that it "pains you" that peace time vets are catagorized under the "same umbrella" as war time vets...It must be very difficult for you, but I'm having a hard time mustering up any sympathy.

Whatever their motives for enlisting in the service of our country, whether at time of peace or time of war, these individuals were prepared to protect and defend us if it became necessary at a moments notice (remember 9/11?). Many young people did and do enlist for the 3 square meals, free room and board, and maybe a shot at a college education. So what?

Even in peace time our veteran service men and women patrolled our shores and our air space, constantly vigilant for any threat be it from other nations, terrorists, floods, tornados, hurricanes - they were there for us then, and they're there for us today.

Whether they served in time of war or time of peace....they served.

The battle of Seicheprey sounds nightmarish and I'm sure the men who gave their lives, no matter how brave, must have been terrified. Maybe they had just enlisted for 3 square meals and a roof over their head...but they ended up making the ultimate sacrifice. The ceremony on Saturday is about them.

....Oh and I'm not a vet, but I am proud to say that I am the wife of, daughter of, granddaughter of, godchild of, niece of, cousin of, and friend of some wonderful veterans.

Anonymous said...

I paid my federal income taxes for decades so my neighbor could send his sons away to the army where they could get free room and board He didn't have to take care of their lazy asses anymore and they weren't stealing stuff out of my back yard anymore. Where's my award?

Anonymous said...

April 17, 2008 10:39 AM:

Sure there were and some were pissed that they got duped into joining the army and actually had to go into a combat situation. But so what? They served. Good for them. What gets me is that people don't understand that without the private sector paying for it, there'd be no Army, no Navy etc.

So "they served " and we didn't. Well good for us and for them. Did you think that maybe they were drafted and had no choice other than go to jail? Now just because they didn't have much going for them except the ability to walk and breath now I'm supposed to genuflect for them once a day? B__ s___, I'm sick of hearing these bombastic blow-hards, most of whom never saw any combat tell me they're better than me. It's bad enough I have to get behind them in line for a job (when I'm better qualified otherwise)

PS: This doesn't have to do with the WW1 ceremony anymore.
But did it really ever have to do with WW1?

Anonymous said...

....Ya 12:57, It really was about the WWI ceremony, until you decided to go off on your nasty little tangent.

I can honestly say that I've known hundreds of veterans and I've never heard one of them say they were better than me or anyone else, and I've certainly NEVER been asked to genuflect for any of them....

Veterans are human and I'm sure that there are some that are "bombastic blowhards" out there, but blowhards are pretty common amongst our species....as you've just proved (bombastically!).

Anonymous said...

April 17, 2008 3:09 PM:

You're right, most aren't bombastic blowhards, and most don't care much for the Legion or the BVC either. But even most of those guys are OK too.

But if you don't think you're genuflect-ing, just drive down the Boulevard (notice the new stopage). See what I mean....
Have a nice day.

Anonymous said...

....5:02 - The new "stoppage" on the Boulevard is for the safety of the citizens of Bristol who enjoy using the Boulevard. This time of year there are plenty of people out strolling, playing tennis, walking dogs, taking pictures of their kids before the prom, wedding parties, a few older folks making use of the benches next to the pond....maybe a handful are veterans who are there to pay their respects....I'm not exactly sure what your problem is with that?

And maybe I'm a little dense, but I don't "see what you mean." All I see are some people out enjoying the nice weather (who are maybe just a little bit safer because the stop signs slow the traffic down a bit)....oh, and I don't see any genuflecting at all....

Hey, if you want to credit the vets for making the Boulevard a nicer and safer place for the people of Bristol, that works for me!....You have a nice day too!

Anonymous said...

April 18, 2008 8:40 AM:

I agree 100% with everything you wrote here, including the "dense" part.

Anonymous said...

Terrific 8:53!....We're in 100% total agreement. You agree that you are one hell of a bombastic blowhard, and I agree that I'm dense when it comes to understanding your blowhard logic....

Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Great Program!

However, where were our legislators?
Colapietro was there, only one.

Legislature couldn't have been in session, Colapietro was there, Burns holding Office Hours (more important)at the Little League, Nicastro on the program to play taps but a no-show.

Any reasons?

Anonymous said...

April 19, 2008 3:41 PM:

I think you need to get a life and to change your tone at the same time.

I don't mind honoring, in an appropriate manner, anyone who served our country. What I do mind is when personal freedom and the flow of free enterprise is hindered by special interests of a small, vocal minority.

Anonymous said...

April 19, 2008 4:27 PM:

Maybe they had better things to do but go hang out at the Legion.

Anonymous said...

1:52

They did not have to go to the legion and hang out, but they at least could have attended the ceremony.

But they didn't.

Again, why?

Anonymous said...

April 20, 2008 4:14 PM;

As much as the whole idea of buggering up the Boulevard pisses me off, this event was important due to the fact that the Boulevard was created for the combat deaths of these men at this battle. The Boulevard is an historic, significant part of Bristol history and the whole story of these men and the history behind it is so interesting, I can't imagine why they wouldn't attend. Perhaps they didn't think enough people cared about it. Did it have to do with the personalities involved in organizing it? If I was able to have gone, I would have. It sounded fascinating.

Anonymous said...

April 20 12:05 p.m.

Please clarify for everyone exactly how a one hour ceremony honoring the men from Bristol who died at the battle of Seicheprey compromises your personal freedom or hinders free enterprise?

Anonymous said...

April 21, 2008 7:35 AM:

Again, many days ago the topic of this conversation has gone beyond the ceremony on the Blvd this Saturday. It's about the policies and politics of those concerned.

Now since you will never agree with the opinions of others, please stop with your silly rebuttals.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

1:51 - Thank you so much for clarifying things. This is all about your particular prejudice against vets (the politics and policies of those concerned).

It's also pretty clear that YOUR opinion is the only one that you respect, so I will stop my futile attemtps at persuading you to get over your hostility. A few rebuttals on this blog are definitely NOT going to cure you of whatever it is that ails you.

Thank you, have a great day!

Anonymous said...

"This is all about your particular prejudice against vets"

-This comment is absurd, uncalled for, and completely untrue.

It's the same as if one was against affirmative action quotas and was thus called a racist. You should be ashamed.

Anonymous said...

April 21, 2008 2:09 PM:

So one has to be for everything the local "vet" organizations are for or else they are "prejudice againts vets"?

This is the most ridiculous, untrue and unfair statements I have every heard in my life.