Went to St. Jove and found a pleasant bunch there. Men from the 2nd Bat. 18th. Had a wet time getting there. Had dinner and then got acquainted. We went to the billet room and it was in the basement. We entered through the barn. The room was very damp. There was three cots and Young, Russel, and I slept there. The lady was fine. She treated us like children. It was very nice. The hut was new and pleasant. In the evening it was crowded. The men sang, played games, and enjoyed themselves very much. We serve cocoa and retired a happy family.
More Information
The following section provides historical context and is not part of the original diary entry.
Likely location: Near the front lines, Lorraine sector, France
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March 1918 was dominated by the German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael), which began on March 21. Though the main blow fell further north, the entire Western Front was affected. Margaret was near the front lines in the Lorraine sector during this anxious period.
Research Links for Further Study
- Watson, A. (2016). German spring offensives 1918. In 1914-1918-Online: International Encyclopedia of the First World War. Freie Universität Berlin.
- Library of Congress. (n.d.). The American Expeditionary Forces. Library of Congress Digital Collections.
- Boissoneault, L. (2017, April 12). The women who fried donuts and dodged bombs on the front lines of WWI. Smithsonian Magazine.
Diary of a World War I Donut Girl 