Large scrapbook containing photographs, post cards, German and French wartime currency, day passes, and other miscellanea from Sgt. Phillip Olson's time in France and Germany during World War I. Sgt. Philip Olson served in World War I with the 25th Regiment Engineers, United States Army. After his enlistment, he departed New York for France on October 31, 1917 aboard the transport ship Agamemnon. The journey was not uneventful due to fears about German U-boats, and an accident which involved their ship being rammed. Upon arrival in France, Olson took part in a number of projects including the building of a docks and doing engineering at the front in Verdun. He had various other duties including working for the supply sergeant, warehouse work, and distributing kit through camp. These duties were performed in a number of locations in France including Brest, Bordeaux, Verdun, and Paris. At the close of the war, he was able to take a trip to Monaco and Monte Carlo. After the signing of the Armistice in November 1918, Olson stayed for a time in France. During this time, he and the 25th Engineers aided in construction and rebuilding projects. In March of 1919, Olson returned to the United States by way of New York. Olson's journal of the time, a companion document to this scrapbook, is also in the Hennepin County Library collection in Minnesota Reflections
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library