During the carnage of World War I, ambulance companies were essential, carrying casualties off the battlefield on litters, dressing wounds, and rushing the wounded to the rear, often amid intense fire and poison gas. As part of the 26th “Yankee” Division—the first full American division to arrive in France in 1917—the 102nd Ambulance Company spent 193 days at the front and carried more than 20,000 men in its ambulances.
Based on the company diary of Sergeant Leslie R. Barlow and letters by other company members, this narrative follows the unit through its inception in Bridgeport, Connecticut, its National Guard training, passage overseas, and winter of adjustment in France. The book describes its contribution to British trench fever experiments and its role in disinfesting the division of “cooties”; and offers vivid descriptions of its combat experiences in five sectors between February and November 1918. The work is heavily illustrated with photographs of the company and includes a detailed roster.

Andrew W. German is an independent scholar, author, and editor who specializes in historical subjects. He spent more than 25 years as editor and then director of publications at Mystic Seaport Museum. He lives in Mystic, Connecticut.

Andrew W. German
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 275
Bibliographic Info: 70 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2023
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8951-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4932-0
Imprint: McFarland

Preface 1
1. Developing an Ambulance Service 3
2. Forming the 102nd Ambulance Company: March–September 1917 16
3. To France: October 1917 36
4. A Winter of Training: November 1917–January 1918 44
5. Under Fire on the Chemin des Dames: February–March 1918 70
6. Running Dead Man’s Curve: April–June 1918 86
7. Forward from Belleau: July 1918 114
8. Off the Line: August 1918 127
9. Luggin’ Litters on the Edge of the Woëvre: September–October 1918 136
10. A Bloody Business on the Heights of the Meuse: October–November 1918 153
11. Ready to Go Home: November 1918–April 1919 171
Postscript 193
Appendix. 102nd Ambulance Company Roster 197
Chapter Notes 231
Bibliography 259
Index 263