Camp American
Is-sur-Tille, France
Commemorated the construction of the American Camp Williams that was begun 100 years ago
The celebration was held on 24 September 2017
The centenary of the arrival of American soldiers to Is-sur-Tille, in the great war (WWI), took place on 24 September 2017, with various events and exhibitions.
See: https://www.is-sur-tille.fr/images/Agenda/programme_Centenaire_WEB.pdf
Espace Culturel Carnot
Exhibit displaying artifacts, photos, old uniforms and equipment, even some of John Stevenson's letters that were translated and printed on poster board, and much more.
at the espace culturel Carnot (with the Bibliothèque/Library).
Reconstitution de camps français, américain et allemande
Friday - Sunday at the parc des Capucins
Reenactment of a WWI camp took place all weekend - bread was being baked in a field constructed oven
Friday Evening - Concert, lecture, paroles et chansons de poilus at the salle des Capucins
A 1918 movie of the camp was shown, then musicians, a singer played music from the time and an actor read portions of letters written about the camp and the war. (Some of my grandfather, John G. Stevenson's letters were included.
Reception on Saturday afternoon - The visiting Americans and a representative from the US Embassy in Paris were invited to a reception at city hall with the mayor.
Sunday 24 September 2017
Participants met at the Stele (Camp Memorial) and were taken by minibuses to the Chimney
Ribbon cutting for the renovated Chimney
Commemoration Ceremony in front of the city hall
US and French flags were raised,
the mayor's welcome
addresses by various dignitaries
Jeff Bockman read portions of his grandfather's letters that were translated by Christian Baujard (photos #3 and #4),
the Embassy representative, Arin Keyser spoke
The names of the Americans that died at the camp were read by three students
The national anthems of the United States and France were sung by the school and community choir,
Wreaths were laid at the war memorial for both the French and Americans
A reception was then held for everyone in the salle des Capucins
A delicious meal was then provided for the invited guests of the Mayor
Is-sur-Tille has been grateful for the American in helping to end the war for 100 years.
Official site: http://www.is-sur-tille.fr/
Many of the links are in French. You can Google Translate them to get a fairly good idea.
They have continuously flown an American Flag in the city hall chambers.
History of the Camp
The Quartermaster Corp established an Advance Section depot and mechanical bakery. This bakery had a daily production capability of 800,000 pounds. The bread was supplied to the troops at the front.
[Food in the American Military: A History by John C. Fisher, Carol Fisher]
Photograph of men sacking the bread
On September 25, 1917 construction was authorized. When hostilities ceased 390 building had been erected. Forty eight warehouses with 1,335,000 sq. ft. of covered storage. There were accommodations for 18,000 men. 109 miles of railroad track.
http://www.memorialgenweb.org/documents/documentation_locale/20150607224850.pdf (in French)
The Thatched Roof Building
This building was written about in several of John G. Stevenson's letters.
NOTE: It turned out that that the construction of the camp was by the 16th Engineers. They had moved to the British Front by the time that Grandpa was there so credit in the letters was incorrectly given to a British non-com group.
Le monument aux morts d’Is-sur-Tille -
The Monument to the Dead of Is-sur-Tille
Like every city in France there is a memorial to the dead from WWI and WWII. They have also included later wars.
The back of the monument lists the names of the Americans who had died in the camp
See page 7 of the article for a list of the names of the Americans who died in the camp.
The original names had become worn and could not be read so a project was created to recreate them.
The Stele / Monument
In 2008 the town authorities, the Societe d'Histoire Tille/Ignon, and the Rotary club erected a monument to show that 90 years after, "the memory of the American presence is still alive.
The American Camp of Is-sur-Tille
From September 1917 to May 1919,
the huge installations of American
Advanced Base No 1 stretched across this site.
Its immense railroad yard facilitated
the flow of men and material to the front,
thus hastening the end of the war.
Eternal gratitude to our valiant Allies.
Long live Franco-American friendship
and peace in Europe.
http://www.petit-patrimoine.com/fiche-petit-patrimoine.php?id_pp=21317_2 (in French)
The Chimney
This chimney of the officers' mess and later the YMCA is the only visible trace of this past. It is located at the exit of our city at the edge of the departmental road N ° 959 in the direction of Châtillon-sur-Seine.
The town of Is-sur-Tille recently completed restoration work to stop its degradation and it now stands in a condition as close as possible to what it was.
A sign will be located nearby to explain the history and life of Camp William.
It is our duty to remember to keep this fireplace in order to leave a trace of this part of our history for future generations!
https://www.fondation-patrimoine.org/les-projets/cheminee-du-camp-americain-is-sur-tille
A list of the American soldiers that married French girls in Is-sur-Tille and the surrounding towns during 1918-1919 has been created.
A detailed list was included in the publication created for the 100th anniversary.
Then & Now Photos
The Church and City Hall in Is-sur-Tille
Auberge Côté Rivière
The valley where the camp was located
