Had breakfast and off to shopping. I got shoes and a rain coat. Was measured for a new dress. They pin a muslin on you and cut it to fit and its fine. Then to lunch. Out to finish shopping. Then we all had a bath and shampoo. Had dinner and then we all took a walk to see the city at night. It is a sad place, plenty of soldiers and sorrow. We have much to be thankful for.
More Information
The following section provides historical context and is not part of the original diary entry.
Likely location: Lorraine sector, France
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April 1918 saw continued German offensives and growing American involvement in combat. Margaret was in the Lorraine sector, moving frequently as the military situation shifted. American units were being deployed to active combat sectors for the first time.
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 