Got up and had breakfast. Got in the car and rode for some time, then saw a soldier shaving by the roadside. It was a real treat. We greeted him with joy, and he told us there were more farther on. We went on and came to the A.N.T. Oh my the cheers that went up then. We went on and soon saw the dear 18th and such joy to see them. How we did shout. Then on to Trei La Ville. Put the car on the side. Had an invite to dinner and had beans, black bread, and water and eating with our pen knife. It was fine. Then put up a tent and fixed it all up fine; the men helped. Found a place to eat and got a billet and retired tired and happy because we were all home.
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 