SU's Gehnrich Discusses WWI Food and Supplies Logistics June 14

SALISBURY, MD---Wicomico County’s historic Perdue Farmhouse turned 100 this year, coinciding with the end of World War I.

The Perdue Veterans Associate Resource Group commemorates the anniversary with an interactive military history talk 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture in Salisbury University’s Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons.

Dr. Stephen Gehnrich, World War I historian and SU professor of biological sciences, discusses “Food and Supplies: From Here to ‘Over There’ in World War I.”

According to Gehnrich, World War I was the first time the U.S. sent a large military force overseas, with more than two million soldiers stationed in France. Most soldiers from Maryland fought in the final U.S. offensive of the war, the Meuse-Argonne, from September-November 1918.

To feed, clothe and resupply this large army, the U.S. had to ship approximately 600,000 tons of supplies to France each month and distribute them once they arrived. One of the first actions of General John Pershing, commander of the American expeditionary force on the western front, was to establish a logistical network. Known as the Services of Supply, it eventually involved nearly 650,000 men.

Gehnrich discusses how the network was organized, the changes it faced and some of its major contributions to the allied victory, as well as the role of Delmarva agriculture in providing food for the effort.

Admission is free and the public is invited. For more information call 410-341-2051.