Connecting to the Past
Joey Robertson
Introduction
This class began with a trip to the Northeastern regions of France and Belgium. Our class visited and researched two specific battlegrounds. The Battle of the Somme was the first location we visited. Here we met with a graduate student by the name of Remi. He gave our group a tour of some of the most historic sites and memorials. After the Battle of the Somme, our group traveled south to Verdun. In Verdun we met with a historian who has a great deal of knowledge of the history of the Battle of Verdun. We visited a few forts that were key strategic positions in World War One. Some of these forts include Fort Douaumont and Fort Vaux. The trip was a great experience that I would have never missed in my life.
Each individual in the class had to choose a topic for a project. The project had to relate to some facet of the Western Front. I wanted to find something that not many people knew or had very little knowledge of the subject. I had an interest in the communications that were applied throughout the war. After some research was conducted, I was surprised to find a great number of animals were used for a variety of purposes in order to help the war effort. This was perfect! I found a subject that not many modern United States citizens were well versed in.
This class began with a trip to the Northeastern regions of France and Belgium. Our class visited and researched two specific battlegrounds. The Battle of the Somme was the first location we visited. Here we met with a graduate student by the name of Remi. He gave our group a tour of some of the most historic sites and memorials. After the Battle of the Somme, our group traveled south to Verdun. In Verdun we met with a historian who has a great deal of knowledge of the history of the Battle of Verdun. We visited a few forts that were key strategic positions in World War One. Some of these forts include Fort Douaumont and Fort Vaux. The trip was a great experience that I would have never missed in my life.
Each individual in the class had to choose a topic for a project. The project had to relate to some facet of the Western Front. I wanted to find something that not many people knew or had very little knowledge of the subject. I had an interest in the communications that were applied throughout the war. After some research was conducted, I was surprised to find a great number of animals were used for a variety of purposes in order to help the war effort. This was perfect! I found a subject that not many modern United States citizens were well versed in.
History
The Great War contained many different elements. These range from the people, land, and equipment. In the case of this war, animals also played a critical role in the communications that were used as well as other important aspects of the war.
The project I chose began as the topic of communication. Communication was a very broad topic and consisted of a great deal of components. With the given amount of time that was given for the class, this was too broad of a topic to choose. However, in the time that was spent researching the topic of communication, I came across a number of important data that included the use of animals in some aspects of communication. When examining the literature further, I wanted a topic that would stand out. Communication is more widely known and researched. However, animals in World War One are less acknowledged and most people are fascinated with animals. Especially when animals are heroes and acknowledged for their bravery and companionship. This information interests audiences.
The Great War contained many different elements. These range from the people, land, and equipment. In the case of this war, animals also played a critical role in the communications that were used as well as other important aspects of the war.
The project I chose began as the topic of communication. Communication was a very broad topic and consisted of a great deal of components. With the given amount of time that was given for the class, this was too broad of a topic to choose. However, in the time that was spent researching the topic of communication, I came across a number of important data that included the use of animals in some aspects of communication. When examining the literature further, I wanted a topic that would stand out. Communication is more widely known and researched. However, animals in World War One are less acknowledged and most people are fascinated with animals. Especially when animals are heroes and acknowledged for their bravery and companionship. This information interests audiences.
Carrier Pigeons
Carrier pigeons were some of the most common animals to be used in communication. Carrier pigeons have been used for some time throughout recent history. In 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, pigeons were used to delivery microfilm telegraphs to the sieged city of Paris. The Pigeon Post was said to have had over 50,000-microfilmed telegraphs carried per pigeon during the siege. Ever since that point the military used pigeons to delivery and send important messages.
Carrier pigeons have a great ability to know where they have been and find that location time after time. At the start of the Great War, the French alone had 72 lofts which they transported carrier pigeons. These lofts were transported right along side the French as they advanced on the Germans. When the Untied States joined the war effort they used over 600 pigeons for military service. One of the most famous pigeons was named Cher Ami. This pigeon delivered 12 vital messages during the Battle of Verdun and completed one message that saved roughly 200 American soldiers. This mission consisted of Cher Ami being chosen to deliver the coordinates of the lost American soldiers. Cher Ami being shot through the chest. Cher Ami still completed the mission by traveling 25 miles and delivered the message in less than 25 minutes. This was an amazing feet by a pigeon.
Carrier pigeons were some of the most common animals to be used in communication. Carrier pigeons have been used for some time throughout recent history. In 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, pigeons were used to delivery microfilm telegraphs to the sieged city of Paris. The Pigeon Post was said to have had over 50,000-microfilmed telegraphs carried per pigeon during the siege. Ever since that point the military used pigeons to delivery and send important messages.
Carrier pigeons have a great ability to know where they have been and find that location time after time. At the start of the Great War, the French alone had 72 lofts which they transported carrier pigeons. These lofts were transported right along side the French as they advanced on the Germans. When the Untied States joined the war effort they used over 600 pigeons for military service. One of the most famous pigeons was named Cher Ami. This pigeon delivered 12 vital messages during the Battle of Verdun and completed one message that saved roughly 200 American soldiers. This mission consisted of Cher Ami being chosen to deliver the coordinates of the lost American soldiers. Cher Ami being shot through the chest. Cher Ami still completed the mission by traveling 25 miles and delivered the message in less than 25 minutes. This was an amazing feet by a pigeon.
Sergeant Stubby
Another topic that I found while researching communications included a dog that earned the rank of Sergeant and returned to the United States a war hero. The dog’s name was Sergeant Stubby. He earned a number of medals and was in 17 battles.
Stubby was found near Yale field in Connecticut. A private by the name of Robert Conroy took the stray under his wing and not long after the dog was well known by the troops. Stubby was then smuggled aboard the SS. Minnesota and sailed to France where he was earned his mark and his status of Sergeant. When Private Conroy and Stubby were scouting an area, Stubby was near another soldier. This soldier began speaking German to Stubby. This led Stubby to believe that this was the enemy and began barking and biting at the German spy. This event led to Stubby being promoted to Sergeant.
Another topic that I found while researching communications included a dog that earned the rank of Sergeant and returned to the United States a war hero. The dog’s name was Sergeant Stubby. He earned a number of medals and was in 17 battles.
Stubby was found near Yale field in Connecticut. A private by the name of Robert Conroy took the stray under his wing and not long after the dog was well known by the troops. Stubby was then smuggled aboard the SS. Minnesota and sailed to France where he was earned his mark and his status of Sergeant. When Private Conroy and Stubby were scouting an area, Stubby was near another soldier. This soldier began speaking German to Stubby. This led Stubby to believe that this was the enemy and began barking and biting at the German spy. This event led to Stubby being promoted to Sergeant.
Projects
Tour of Sergeant Stubby
This tour begins with a stray dog that was taken in by Private Robert Conroy. The stray was smuggled over to France and did his part in the war effort. Stubby had surprising events happen to him, as he was right beside the soldiers in the trenches. This dog was the only dog to have been a hiring rank than his owner. Stubby actually caught a German spy and held him until soldiers came to detain the spy.
This tour begins with a stray dog that was taken in by Private Robert Conroy. The stray was smuggled over to France and did his part in the war effort. Stubby had surprising events happen to him, as he was right beside the soldiers in the trenches. This dog was the only dog to have been a hiring rank than his owner. Stubby actually caught a German spy and held him until soldiers came to detain the spy.
Tour of Carrier Pigeons
This project included a description of the purpose of pigeons in World War One and some of the most famous pigeons that played a critical role in some of the most important battles. These include Battle of Verdun and First battle of the Marne. There is also an account of a pigeon named Cher Ami, which saved about 200 American soldiers. This pigeon was said to have flown 25 miles in under 25 minutes, an astounding flight for any pigeon. However, this pigeon was shot through the chest and still continued on with the mission.
This project included a description of the purpose of pigeons in World War One and some of the most famous pigeons that played a critical role in some of the most important battles. These include Battle of Verdun and First battle of the Marne. There is also an account of a pigeon named Cher Ami, which saved about 200 American soldiers. This pigeon was said to have flown 25 miles in under 25 minutes, an astounding flight for any pigeon. However, this pigeon was shot through the chest and still continued on with the mission.
Methods
The overall theme of this class was to present data about the Western front online. The most common application to present this information included the use of Google Tour builder and ESRI story mapping. Both allowed for a great presentation. I chose to use Google Tour builder to present my data. Google tour builder was very user friendly, unlike the ESRI Story mapping, the user did not have to spend hours figuring out how to manipulate the format. In Google Tour Builder the pictures and text were easy to add. I enjoyed setting the view of each point on the map. This allowed for a great perspective to show the audience exactly what you wanted them to visually see and understand from each tour point. Another interesting point to include is the option to add a KML file. This is file in Excel that includes all of your points, images and a history about each tour point. This allows the user to edit each cell in the file and then simply upload the file to a Google Tour. This places all of the information in the program and makes any data easy to add or change in the file rather than the Google Tour program itself. All of this included the end results of the overall projects was a great way to present information and allow the audience to have a better sense of where the tour points are located.
What Google Tours presents gives the audience a perspective of where all these events took place. This program is more than just maps, images and figures. The tour transports the audience to each point, allowing them to see how far and exactly where World War One took place. Each tour allows the user to place specific events in any order the user chooses. Whether it is in chronological order or an order that better displays the information and events shown.
Throughout the process the class archived the data and research that was done. In a blog that each member of the class created was where all of this information was kept. A link below will take you to see more detailed information. The blog details the entire process of my projects and how my projects evolved from the start.
The overall theme of this class was to present data about the Western front online. The most common application to present this information included the use of Google Tour builder and ESRI story mapping. Both allowed for a great presentation. I chose to use Google Tour builder to present my data. Google tour builder was very user friendly, unlike the ESRI Story mapping, the user did not have to spend hours figuring out how to manipulate the format. In Google Tour Builder the pictures and text were easy to add. I enjoyed setting the view of each point on the map. This allowed for a great perspective to show the audience exactly what you wanted them to visually see and understand from each tour point. Another interesting point to include is the option to add a KML file. This is file in Excel that includes all of your points, images and a history about each tour point. This allows the user to edit each cell in the file and then simply upload the file to a Google Tour. This places all of the information in the program and makes any data easy to add or change in the file rather than the Google Tour program itself. All of this included the end results of the overall projects was a great way to present information and allow the audience to have a better sense of where the tour points are located.
What Google Tours presents gives the audience a perspective of where all these events took place. This program is more than just maps, images and figures. The tour transports the audience to each point, allowing them to see how far and exactly where World War One took place. Each tour allows the user to place specific events in any order the user chooses. Whether it is in chronological order or an order that better displays the information and events shown.
Throughout the process the class archived the data and research that was done. In a blog that each member of the class created was where all of this information was kept. A link below will take you to see more detailed information. The blog details the entire process of my projects and how my projects evolved from the start.
Western Front Blog
This is a history of the progress and evolution of how my projects came along. The blog reveals my methods in greater detail as well as the references I used to create my projects. The blog presents weekly updates and all of the steps I took to complete my projects. I also explain how to use Google tour Builder as well as ESRI story mapping in some detail.
Google Tour Builder
This link is to Google Tour builder where you can create your own tours of whatever you choose. This is a great way to share your memories and the places you visited. Google Tours allows you to publish it online so any one can see the exotic places you have been.
This is a history of the progress and evolution of how my projects came along. The blog reveals my methods in greater detail as well as the references I used to create my projects. The blog presents weekly updates and all of the steps I took to complete my projects. I also explain how to use Google tour Builder as well as ESRI story mapping in some detail.
Google Tour Builder
This link is to Google Tour builder where you can create your own tours of whatever you choose. This is a great way to share your memories and the places you visited. Google Tours allows you to publish it online so any one can see the exotic places you have been.
Image Credits -
Cher Ami: "Cher Ami" Smithsonian Institute. Cat# 30714, Acc#65695. Ret. December 2013.
Joey in the Trenches: Photo by Zack Robison, Sept 2013.
Header: Mize, Roy. "German Pigeon Flyer" retrieved from article "The Great Plane Pigeon Races" in December of 2013.
Cher Ami: "Cher Ami" Smithsonian Institute. Cat# 30714, Acc#65695. Ret. December 2013.
Joey in the Trenches: Photo by Zack Robison, Sept 2013.
Header: Mize, Roy. "German Pigeon Flyer" retrieved from article "The Great Plane Pigeon Races" in December of 2013.