The 88th Division (Infantry)

The 88th Division, a National Army Division, was organized September 4, 1917, at Camp Dodge, Iowa, from men drafted from the states of Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakotas and Illinois. Numerous drafts were initially trained for three months at Camp Dodge then transferred to other divisions and organizations. Later when these first drafts had been transferred in large measure to Camps Cody, Bowie, Doniphan, Pike, Travis and Gordon, newly drafted men from the original states, together with men from Missouri and Nebraska, constituted the bulk of the Division. The Division was officered largely by reserve officers from the First Training Camp at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and from the Second Training Camps at Forts Sheridan, Snelling and Benjamin Harrison.

July 25, 1918, the Division began moving from Camp Dodge overseas, and was assembled in the 21st Training Area with headquarters at Semur, Cote d’Or, France. less the 163d Artillery Brigade, which was sent to the artillery training school at Clermont Ferrand in the south of France and never rejoined the Division.

On September 5, 1918, Major-General William Weigel, who had just been promoted from Brigadier General in command of the 56th Infantry Brigade of the 28th Division, U. S. A., which had taken part in the Second Marne offensive, was assigned as Commander of the 88th Division. The Division was assigned to the VI American Corps, First Army, for training in open warfare.

Primary Units of the 88th Division

The 88th Division In The World War of 1914-1918

Personally Autographed

Presentation Leather Bound Division History

The 88th Division In The World War of 1914 to 1918

Troop Ships that brought the Boys Home from France after World War One

WHO CAN TELL

The last and biggest show produced within the Division was the Division Show, a Song and Dance Revue, entitled “Who Can Tell.” It had the purpose not only to entertain but to present a genuine “Doughboy show,” a show that would fairly represent what the doughboys could do. “Who Can Tell” was staged under the direction of Dinnie MacDonald. Captain Arthur B Hachel, the Division Entertainment Officer, was general manager. The music of the show was composed by 2^nd Lt. Edward J. Collins. The book and lyrics were written by Elbert Moore, Dinnie MacDonald, 1^st Lt. Wm. D. Darrow and Musician H.L. Gear. The Jewish Welfare Board contributed 75,000 francs for the costumes which were made by Landholff, Paris. The Salvation Army, the Y.M.C.A. and the Knights of Columbus assisted in furnishing property. The men of the Division contributed 15,000 francs for the general expenses of the show.

After six weeks preparation, the show was produced. During this time, the music was composed and orchestrated; lyrics were written; an orchestra of 35 men was selected and trained. A cast and chorus of 125 men were picked and drilled. Doughboy amateurs were trained until they performed like professional actors and actresses. A theatre consisting of two aviation hangars has to be constructed to house the show. A stage had to be built and scenery painted.

On April 21^st, 1919, the Division show was presented in the double hangar theatre at Gondrecourt. “Who Can Tell” was presented eleven successive nights at Gondrecourt. Twenty five Hundred men of the Division were brought in by trucks each night and many troops of nearby units had seen it. From Gondrecourt, the Division show went to Coblenz, where it showed two nights. From Coblenz, the show went to Paris. In Paris the show was presented for the first time in a real theatre—the Champs Elysees Theatre. For six nights, commencing May 12^th, the show played to a packed house. After the first night, several thousand persons were turned away nightly. President Wilson and party attended the last performance of the show, which was huge honor for all who contributed.

In its edition of May 14^th, the dramatic critic of the Chicago Tribune in a letter addressed to the editor made the following comment:

“There have only been two things of real importance in Paris since you went away---the threat of the Germans to leave the Peace Conference, and the opening Monday night at the Champs Elysees Theatre of the 88^th Division Show, ‘Who Can Tell.’ Some show, Boy, some show! It’s the best amateur show I have seen on either side of the water. There are a lot of Broadway shows getting three dollars that ought to be sent to warehouse to let this one in for a run.”

“It isn’t a show---it’s a production. In costumes, it makes the ‘Garden of Allah’ look like a rookie. I think Major General William Weigel must have assigned the whole regiment to the castle, for when they came out over the footlights on those run-around boards in the orchestra, they filled the duckboards and the whole stage.”

“And a pony ballet! With the cutest little fat legs you ever saw. They got a hand every time they came on. You would never know they were doughboys until they began to sing. ‘Who Can Tell’ is a kind of musical burlesque with enough of a plot to keep the show in military channels for three hours.”

The 88^th Division had printed colorful show programs given out at each performance. Additionally they also had printed a “Souvenir Program” with the musical numbers performed as well as photos of members of the cast. Very few of these “Souvenir Programs” survived and are only seen in advanced private collections.

Trench Art, Home Front Art World War One and World War Two

Trench Art refers to artwork made by a soldier to either send home to family of to keep and remembrance of his time in the service. The intricacy of the is dependent on the soldier ability and creativity. Some units had artisans who woudl produces works for their fellow soldiers, usually at a minor cost. Commonly seen artwork is made from spent artillery shell casings of a variety of sizes which were plentiful on the battlefields.

During World War Two is was promoted by unit commanders to send letters home to let family know how their soldiers is doing. Locally made examples of intricate artwork were common, though the use of artillery shells was discouraged. However, there are examples of WW2 era brass "Trench Art" with beautifully done scenes and subject matter. The pillow case became a very popular "Home Front" item to send home and many were adorned with loving messages or poems to "Mom".

In this section are 88th Division specific examples of Trench Art and Home Front artwork

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