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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Madmen and the tank


centurion

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On July 8th 1918 3,000 advertising executives, from all over the USA, meeting for a convention in San Francisco were treated to an evening's entertainment in the form of a 're enactment' featuring the British Tank Britannia supported by American soldiers from the Presidio. Things were knocked down, climbed over and crushed, blanks were fired and training grenades thrown. One wonders what the contribution to the war effort was?

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On July 8th 1918 3,000 advertising executives, from all over the USA, meeting for a convention in San Francisco were treated to an evening's entertainment in the form of a 're enactment' featuring the British Tank Britannia supported by American soldiers from the Presidio. Things were knocked down, climbed over and crushed, blanks were fired and training grenades thrown. One wonders what the contribution to the war effort was?

Were they selling bonds perhaps?

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Were they selling bonds perhaps?

I've picked up eleven British tank events across the USA and Canada where bonds were sold - all public and in all cases the selling of bonds was specifically reported in the reports in various papers (often with the ammounts raised). No such mention in this case. I've found several cases of raising monies for war charities (aid to refugees, Red Cross, comforts for wounded etc etc) but this doesn't sound like one of them. A great many recruiting events again all public and reported and the numbers (British, Canadian, American, Armenian etc ) recruited often reported. Support to a Broadway show and its subsequent tour (but again aimed at recruitment). Three expositions open to the public. This seems to be a private event.

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I've picked up eleven British tank events across the USA and Canada where bonds were sold - all public and in all cases the selling of bonds was specifically reported in the reports in various papers (often with the ammounts raised). No such mention in this case. I've found several cases of raising monies for war charities (aid to refugees, Red Cross, comforts for wounded etc etc) but this doesn't sound like one of them. A great many recruiting events again all public and reported and the numbers (British, Canadian, American, Armenian etc ) recruited often reported. Support to a Broadway show and its subsequent tour (but again aimed at recruitment). Three expositions open to the public. This seems to be a private event.

In that case, from your description, I'd say they were trying to cheer themselves up with a lively party. Perhaps the host was on embarkation leave.

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Was your title a typo? Madmen or Admen? Or am I being a bit thick?

I couldn't possibly comment :whistle: Advertising executives came to be known as Madmen (from Maddison Avenue the one time centre of US advertising - see the TV series Madmen).

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Apologies. Not a series I had heard of. My viewing is a little antedeluvian. Stopped with Dad's Army and westerns on Channel 4.

Old Tom

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