Artillery Scout: The Story of a Forward Observer with the U.S. Field Artillery in World War I

by James G. Bilder

Overview

“Moves quickly; it entertains and provides a decent overview of the life of an American Doughboy” on the Western Front during the Great War (San Francisco Book Review).

The American Doughboys of World War I are often referred to as the “Lost Generation”; however, in this book, we are able to gain an intimate look at their experiences after being thrust into the center of Europe’s “Great War” and enduring some of the most grueling battles in US history.

Len Fairfield, the author’s grandfather, was an Artillery Scout, or Forward Observer, for the US Army and was a firsthand witness to the war’s carnage as he endured its countless hardships, all of which are revealed here in vivid detail. His story takes the reader from a hard life in Chicago, through conscription, rigorous training in America and France, and finally to the battles which have become synonymous with the US effort in France—St. Mihiel and the Argonne Forest, the latter claiming 26,000 American lives, more than any other US battle.

The American Expeditionary Forces endured a rare close-quarters visit to hell until it was sensed that the Germans were finally giving way, though fighting tooth-and-nail up to the very minute of the Armistice. This action-filled work brings the reader straight to the center of America’s costly battles in World War I, reminding us once again how great-power status often has to be earned with blood on battlefields.

“All in all, this book is a bit of a gem. It is a well paced easy read and you will find yourself rooting for our hero.” —War in History

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612002729
Publisher:	Casemate Publishers
Publication date:	01/10/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

James Bilder has a BA degree in Journalism from Lewis University and a Masters in Science from Loyola University. He served as the mayor of Worth, Illinois from 1993 to 2001 and currently works in private industry, living in Chicago. His interest in military history stems not only from his grandfather Len Fairfield, but also from his father, Michael Bilder, an infantryman who was awarded the Legion of Honour, France's highest decoration, for his World War II service.

Table of Contents

Foreword Flint Whitlock 9

Introduction 13

1 Neutral Land, a Common Man, the Makings of Love and War 19

2 Arriving, Training, and Departing Camps Grant and Logan 39

3 The Yanks Are Coming to Be Buried Over Here 65

4 Camp Le Valdahon: Getting a French Education in Survival 77

5 Baptism By Fire 91

6 St. Mihiel: The Americans Enter the War in Earnest 107

7 The Lull Before the Storm 119

8 The Argonne: Let the Slaughter Commence 127

9 Bearding the Lion in His Den 141

10 In the Death Throes of the Great War 157

11 Occupation, Recuperation, and Demobilization 173

Epilogue 183

Acknowledgments 191

Editorial Reviews

"…moves quickly; it entertains and provides a decent overview of the life of an American Doughboy"

San Francisco Book Review

"…through contacts with the sources listed, Bilder has been able to incorporate many accurate historical details, reflective of Army enlisted life before deployment, during deployment and during postwar occupation duty…

The Journal of America’s Military Past

"All in all, this book is a bit of a gem. It is a well paced easy read and you will find yourself rooting for our hero. I am glad he led a fulfilling and prolific life. Len Fairfield was a top bloke and even from this distance he deserves our thanks."

War in History

"The author's vivid prose style makes it seem almost as if his grandfather is telling the story himself. . . . For general readers and undergraduates interested in the personal experience of an artilleryman during the First World War and, besides military matters, in the details of working-class lives of the time.”—Michigan War Studies Review

Michigan War Studies Review

"The additional perspective of the war is a valuable contribution as are the photographs used to illustrate the book."

First World War Studies

"...a lively account of the 58th Field Artillery Brigade’s role in World War I…this role is often overlooked in war literature, so Bilder has found a new element to an incredibly crowded market... a fresh, well-researched perspective on a heavily covered subject. There is plenty to interest the military enthusiast, while the emotional angle of Bilder’s grandfather acting as the narrative’s central character works very well,..."

All About History

Using the perspective of what students of literature call an "omniscient observer", Bilder recreates thoughts, conversations, and actions based upon information gleaned from the above-mentioned sources, particularly Casey's diary.... Bilder covers training methods, artillery tactics, and tools and equipment used by artillerymen plying their deadly trade. We learn about their duties, to include working with recalcitrant horses and moving mountains of ammunition crates from depots to the gun pits. Len, a dutiful if reluctant soldier, was smart and cynical, with an acerbic sense of humor... you will appreciate this book as an addition to the overall history of the experiences of the American soldier in the Great War.

Roads to the Great War

"..reader will feel like a first hand witness while turning the pages.... The doughboys have been referred to as America's Lost Generation, though they are not forgotten. This book provides an intimate look at what the grueling warfare along the Western Front must have been like for them..."

Toy Solder & Model Figure

"... a very well written and readable account of an important but often overlooked aspect of World War. It's an exemplary example of its genre and very highly recommended."

Military Modelcraft International

"…through contacts with the sources listed, Bilder has been able to incorporate many accurate historical details, reflective of Army enlisted life before deployment, during deployment and during postwar occupation duty…

The Journal of America’s Military Past

Using the perspective of what students of literature call an "omniscient observer", Bilder recreates thoughts, conversations, and actions based upon information gleaned from the above-mentioned sources, particularly Casey's diary.... Bilder covers training methods, artillery tactics, and tools and equipment used by artillerymen plying their deadly trade. We learn about their duties, to include working with recalcitrant horses and moving mountains of ammunition crates from depots to the gun pits. Len, a dutiful if reluctant soldier, was smart and cynical, with an acerbic sense of humor... you will appreciate this book as an addition to the overall history of the experiences of the American soldier in the Great War.

Roads to the Great War Blog

..reader will feel like a first hand witness while turning the pages.... The doughboys have been referred to as America's Lost Generation, though they are not forgotten. This book provides an intimate look at what the grueling warfare along the Western Front must have been like for them...

Toy Solder and Model Figure Magazine

...a lively account of the 58th Field Artillery Brigade’s role in World War I…this role is often overlooked in war literature, so Bilder has found a new element to an incredibly crowded market... a fresh, well-researched perspective on a heavily covered subject. There is plenty to interest the military enthusiast, while the emotional angle of Bilder’s grandfather acting as the narrative’s central character works very well,...

All About History UK

All in all, this book is a bit of a gem. It is a well paced easy read and you will find yourself rooting for our hero. I am glad he led a fulfilling and prolific life. Len Fairfield was a top bloke and even from this distance he deserves our thanks.

War In History Online

"…through contacts with the sources listed, Bilder has been able to incorporate many accurate historical details, reflective of Army enlisted life before deployment, during deployment and during postwar occupation duty…

The Journal of America's Military Past