The Great War Group

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A vibrant group of nerds trying to teach the world about The Great War. Join us at https://greatwargroup.com

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Happy Birthday Rin Tin Tin! (Approximate date.) Acclaimed 1920s movie star. Rescued in the rubble of a village abandoned by the retreating Germans during the Saint-Mihiel Offensive. Nursed to health by his new master, he returned with him to the US and became a Hollywood legend.
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Black and white photo of Rin Tin Tin on a movie set with a young female co-start. He is standing on the floor with his front paws on a small wooden table. Tongue out staring to his right. The little girl is smiling at the camera and wearing a long skirt, dark still, and a bonnet. Wall behind them.
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Italy follows up recent progress with attacks to extend the Gorizia bridgehead. Night attacks and brutal fighting allow the Italians to seize vital trenches just a few kilometers from Trieste. Austria-Hungary will shorten their lines along Mount Santo and the Hermada Hills.
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Upper Left: Black & White Photo of a machine gun crew in action. In the background are soldier with rifles firing. The position is amongst rocks with a mountain in the far background. Upper Right: Black and white photo of a single soldier behind a rock wall overlooking a valley and a small settlement underneath snowy mountains. Bottom Left: Black and white photo of fully laden troops marching up a path among cannon blasted trees and desolate landscape toward a white church on a small hill. Mountains in the background. Bottom Right: A group of soldiers in a trench built into a steep mountainside. Beyond them is a covered shelter against the hillside. They are looking down below them. In the background are misty mountain ranges.
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Happy Birthday Eddie Rickenbacker! The most famous US Ace of WW1. Started the war as a driver for Col Billy Mitchell (Father of the US Air Force) and he helped get him into the air service where he excelled. Incredible life after the war. Wrote a great memoir of his war service.
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Black and white photo of Rickenbacker standing next to his fighter plane. He is in uniform with tall leather boots. Wearing his airman's cap. His plane has a star spangled hat upside down next to him and below his seat. Behind him you see the large number 5. Small crowd behind him on other side of the plane. Ground is muddy.
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Buster Keaton's birthday! Famed actor, director, and writer. Best known for his silent films, he worked into the 1960s. Drafted into the AEF he went to France in 1918. Already well known, the AEF decided not to risk his life in the trenches and used him as an entertainer.
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Black and white close up of Keaton's face. Earnest and solemn look directly into the camera. Gray background. He wears a dark suit with a black bowtie and white shirt.
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Born today Paul von Hindenburg! Initially commanded in the east. Crushed the Russians at Tannenberg. From 1916 commanded all German forces. National hero. Wrote a best selling memoir after the war. Served as President of Germany and unsuccessfully tried to stem the Nazi tide.
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Black and white photo of Hindenburg against a grayish background. Distinctive mustache. Wearing Iron Cross and numerous decorations on chest. Braids on shoulders. Looking careworn and. tired.
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Born today the great Ferdinand Foch! The Marshal of France who led the Allies to victory. Vowed at an early age to see Alsace and Lorraine returned to France and he succeeded. He worried about another rise of Germany. Honored and renowned worldwide. Buried next to Napoleon!

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Color photo of Foch looking to his right. In a garden with a wall and vines or trees behind him. Traditional blue uniform with decorations, and red hat with gold braiding. He holds a can or walking stick. He dons his traditional mustache.
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