Letters From A Liasion Officer by Captain Ferdinand Frazier Jelke

Author:Captain Ferdinand Frazier Jelke [Jelke, Captain Ferdinand Frazier]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, World War I, Europe, Great Britain, General, Germany, Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9781782891932
Google: vgFvCwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2014-06-13T05:00:32+00:00

Orleans, France, July 22nd, 1918.

THE time is racing by so rapidly it seems impossible to keep account of it. I have been constantly in the midst of a whirl since taking over the office of Provost Marshal, in addition to my regular liaison duties, attending and officiating at functions of all kinds, including luncheons, funerals, church memorial services, athletic events, receiving guests, military reviews, etc., particularly in connection with the celebrations on the 4th and 14th of July, which were elaborate.

I was busy for days in advance with the French Staff arranging the all-day programs for these days. The French are fond of fetes and ceremonies and are anxious to render all the homage possible to Americans on every possible occasion. They have found it easy to handle American business through me, so I am called upon for every possible kind of service.

On July 14th, the French military review and the awarding of decorations was held by General de l’Espée. The American Brigadier General Vollrath was here from Saint Aignan with a band of fifty pieces and a color guard of sixty. The review was held with a great deal of pomp and ceremony.

I spent the entire afternoon and evening of the previous day informally with General Vollrath and his aid, showing them all the historical points of interest in Orleans, later dining and attending the theater together. When we entered it was announced from the stage that an American General had arrived and the national anthems of America and France were played, while the audience stood.

After the review at nine a. m. we went to the only Protestant church, where memorial services had been arranged. The church was small and unimportant, as the powerful churches are Catholic; however a Y. M. C. A. chaplain preached an inspiring sermon. The French pastor spoke in French, and American hymns were sung by a choir of American soldiers.

At noon a formal luncheon was given by General de l’Espée{23} for nine American and nine French officers, including four Generals, the Mayor of Orleans and the Préfet{24}. It was a most distinguished gathering, and although I was the only officer of modest rank present, I was treated with the same kindness and respect as the Generals themselves. The other American officers were given a luncheon at the officers’ club. During the luncheon the band played in the square in front of the hotel, and afterwards, during coffee, we went out on the balcony overlooking the crowd, like royalty. The public square below was filled with thousands of cheering people.

At three o’clock athletic events were held between the French and Americans at which the Americans took all first prizes. There were also boxing matches. General Vollrath had brought with him a track team of fifteen, who had captured all the honors at Paris on the Fourth. There was an enormous crowd of thousands of spectators and I was the day’s master of ceremonies for the Americans, while a French Major had charge of the French.

At

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