uniform patch

[mygreypony1996]

Hi Everyone
I was just given my Grandfather's WWI uniform and it has a very unusual patch on the arm. I am hoping I can find out what it is. My Grandfather was from Wheeling WV and I believe he was in the 80th Blue Ridge Infantry. The attached photo is of the patch on his uniform. I have another photo of him with his company (?). The writing on the photo says Co A 1st A.M.G. Bn (two lines under the n) Bordeaux France 1919 Any help would be greatly appreciated. He never wanted to talk about the war so I know very little about what he did. Thanks everyone.
Christine

[4thGordons]

Hello and welcome to the forum:

The patch appears to be a variation on the US First Army patch (large black A)

So the annotation on the photograph would at first blush appear to be the A Company, 1st Army Machine Gun Battalion.

This would be a bit odd as MG Battalions were usually part of divisions rather than directly part of Armies...

A quick look at the Order of Battle for the First Army shows that there was indeed (listed under miscellaneous) a 1st Anti-Aicraft Machine-Gun Battalion Co A attached to the First Army so I think this is what your patch is, and it would appear to fit with the red and white design at the bottom.

So, although I am not claiming to be an expert in this area my best guess is that the photo caption and this patch are for for the: First Army, 1st Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Battalion, and your Grandfather was in Company A.

The 80th "Blue Ridge" Division was part of the 1st Army so that fits.

I can give you a short history of the 80th Div if it would be of interest but I think this fits too because the majority of the 80th Div returned to the US in May 1919.

is there any chance of seeing a scan of the picture?

Hope this helps

Chris

If I am correct I think THIS PAGE WILL BE OF INTEREST - ESPECIALLY THE BOTTOM SECTION

Edited 16 January , 2014 by 4thGordons

[4thGordons]

Just a quick follow up -- found this in my files: from Anti-Aircraft in the AEF by Burgo D Gill (1st Liet CAC) published in 1933 in Coastal Artillery Journal (March April 1933)

"Probably due to the influence of French and British thought, which dictated that theoretically all ground troops would afford their own antiaircraft defense by the use of special mounts and guns that were issued to them, the American Antiaircraft Machine Gun School did not get started until December, 1917 Major William F. L. Simpson. Infantry, was ordered to organize this school, but he died, and Major Andrew S Drum, USMC. succeeded him in February, 1918. Like all other classes of materiel used by the American in France we had to look around and see what guns the Allies had that were fitted for our antiaircraft work. Tests determined that the Hotchkiss was the best. It was fitted with the Infantry Corrector, a French sight. While the school itself got away to an early start, a complete unit, the 1st AA, M. G. Battalion, did not arrive until the middle of May at Langres where the school was located. A somewhat different system of education was used at this school than that of the artillery school at Arnouville. At the latter, only officers were trained, while at Langres, the complete unit underwent training together. Officers and selected non commissioned officers were instructed in classrooms in theoretical work, while the rest of the troops underwent field training. The firing was conducted by the organization, officers and men alike turned out for all service practices. An ideal target range had been provided, known as the Courcelles-en-Montagne ground, which permitted various ways of simulating fire at planes. "Amongst the most novel, and perhaps of present day use, was the scheme whereby the machine guns, which were set up in a deep ravine that ran through the range, fired up hill at a balloon towed at the end of a bamboo pole fastened to a motorcycle. The machine and rider were protected by a specially constructed rock wall.1500 troops comprised the 1st, 2nd, 3d, 4th, 5th and 141st .AA Machine Gun Battalions, which received training at Langres. At the signing of the Armistice, two battalions had already reached the front, while the third was on its way."

[mygreypony1996]

Hi Chris

I am absolutely blown away by your post! You are amazing and I cannot thank you enough. Fascinating to know where he attended artillery school and the way they practiced by shooting at a balloon attached to a motorcycle. Now that you have sent me all this information I want to try to visit Langres and the Meuse-Argonne area. I look at my grandfather’s uniform and I can’t imagine how wet and uncomfortable the soldiers must have been. All wars are terrible but World War I must have been an absolute horror. My grandfather was a farmer who never travelled more than 30 miles from his home I can’t imagine him in France and hope he had a little time for fun.

I tried to post the other photo I have of him but I think it exceeded the forum’s guidelines, if you send me an email address I will be happy to send it to you.

Any additional reading you can recommend about the 80^th would be wonderful and greatly appreciated.

Chris, I can’t thank you enough for the insight you provided. Are you by chance a member of Clan Gordon? Many thanks for your help.

Christine

[Guest Butternut]

I read this with great interest and would like to add the following:

From the diary of Corliss W. Hall, Wagoner with Company D, 1st AAMG Bat,

June 26, 1918 - Close order drill all AM. On range all PM. Got paid after supper. Some more wall paper

June 27, 1918 - Worked all day on a new range. Went to night firing range after supper. Got back at 11:45 pm

June 28, 1918 - Worked all day on the new range. We are building some stone wall.

The rush training these guys got was something else. It was obviously done on the fly

[Guest Butternut]

The big A 1 is first army. The graphic is anti aircraft. All companies had the same. The 2 battalions that saw action have similar patches. What is really interesting is that functional Antiaircraft machine gun units of any kind existed tactically for 3 months in the history of the world. The 1st AAMG Bat was also the first totally motorized batallion ever. They were also quite deadly. The 1st AAMG Bat were left as orphans and did not get home til May. The battalions ended up passed back and forth for between the 1st and 2nd armies.