Original Items: One-of-a-kind set. This is perhaps the most comprehensive set of material we've ever had from a U.S. WWI Doughboy. Geroge Harold Deibert of of New Jersey served in the Great War and was a member of the MEDICAL CORPS in the ADVANCE SECTION SERVICES OF SUPPLY. The grouping is like a time capsule as most of the items appear to have never been disturbed since being packed away over a century ago. Overall condition of nearly all pieces is excellent. Please review the 220 photos that accompany this listing to understand just how massive and fantastic it really is!
Included in this incredible set are the following items:
- Incredible "Never Break" trunk that is decorated on the interior with period magazine and newspaper cut outs of pin up girls, automobiles, cartoons and much more. The outside is stenciled
- Fine wool Tunic that features the Advance Sector, SOS insignia which is comprised of the French cross of Lorraine, flanked by the initials 'A' and 'S' in red. The uniform insignia is on a blue wool background surrounded by a blue ring. Each shoulder has Sergeant Chevrons with Medical Device. Also features collar medical device pin. Matching 3/4 length jodhpurs style pants included.
- Rough wool tunic with matching pants. Features collar medical device pin.
- Dozens of original wartime photos, many with Deibert in uniform.
- Dozens of original letters dated April 1918 through December 1918 addressed to his parents, friends and others.
- Multiple original Western Union telegrams from 1918 in original envelopes.
- Original WWI Campaign Hat (as he is seen wearing in photos)
- 2 x Original WWI Overseas garrison caps.
- Original WWI U.S. 1918 dated web pistol belt.
- 2 x Original WWI April 1918 MILLS 1911 Pistol magazine double pouches.
- Original WWI Brass Binoculars.
- Original WWI waist belts.
- Original WWI peaked visor cap.
- Original WWI unattached patches, medals and insignia.
- Original WWI Gas mask in carrier.
- Original WWI Canteen
- Original WWI Drum Canteen
- 2 x Original WWI 1917 dated Mess Kits with U.S. Marked Utensils.
- Original WWI 1918 Dated Model 1903 Bayonet.
- Original WWI Spanish 1893 Mauser Bayonet
- 2 x Original WWI Putties.
- Original WWI Pattern 1910 Haversack with NY regimental markings.
- Original WWI Heavy Bronze Great War Veterans Medallion Plaque.
- 2 x Original WWI French Enamel Small Signs.
- Original WWI Era Automobile license plate.
- Original WWI service flag with one star to represent one family members serving in the military.
- Original WWI STARS AND STRIPES Newspaper dated October 11th, 1918.
- Original WWI Toiletry Kit.
- Original WWI Era Leather Suit Case.
- Original WWI Magazines, Pamphlets, Hymnals, Training Manuals, Leaflets, and SO MUCH MORE!!!
AEF supplies destined for the Doughboys at the front were funneled through a series of depots and installations located at key points along the 'Lines of Communication' (LOC). The LOC was divided into the 'Base Sector', the 'Intermediate Sector' and the 'Advance Sector'. The journey began at the large base depots established in the French port cities of St. Nazarie, Le Harve, Brest, La Pallice and later Marsaeilles. There, the cargo was unloaded from the transport ships and housed in huge warehouses. Troops posted to the Base Sectors would have worn the Service of Supply or SOS shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI).
The supplies were then moved in wholesale lots from the massive base depots, up to an Intermediate Depot which was located closer to the front. The Intermediate Depot was the replenishing point for the Advanced Depots further up the line. It was also where the AEF supplies which had been shipped in bulk were broken down, sorted and repacked before being sent forward. Men working at the Intermediate Sectors world have worn the Intermediate Sector, Service of Supply SSI.
These Advance Depots which were also known as 'Regulating Stations' were always located near a main rail line. The forward depots were better equipped for the rapid movement of large amounts of equipment and supplies that were requisitioned by daily telegrams from the line units at the front. Nothing passed through the Regulating Stations without first being ordered. This included every soldier going to or returning from leave areas, schools and hospitals. It also included replacements moving up to the front (both men and animals), rations, ingoing and outgoing mail, socks, gasmasks and every other piece of fighting equipment intended for soldiers fighting at the front; with the exception of weapons and ammunition which was shipped separately by the Ordnance Department. The Advance Depots organized returning men and replacement animals by division, and resorted and repacked the requested supplies onto rail cars for daily transportation to each division's railhead. The soldiers stationed at the Advance Sectors would have worn the Advance Sector, Service of Supply SSI.
In many instances, Advance Sector personnel also transported Army, Corps and Division supplies further forward, up to their respective supply dumps. Army Supply Dumps were usually located 10 to 12 miles behind the lines; Corps Supply Dumps were situated some 10 to 6 miles to the rear of the fighting; while the Division Supply Dumps were the closest, at just 4 or 5 miles behind the front lines. It was at these supply dumps where the men, animals and supplies were passed over to the control of divisional Quartermaster and Supply Train personnel for delivery to the troops in the trenches.
The supplies were again broken down and resorted based on the needs of each organization within the division. Usually everything would be loaded onto motor trucks which carried the men and equipment as far as the shell ravaged roads permitted. When the trucks could go no further, the supplies were transferred to mule and horse drawn wagons and carts to continue the journey under cover of darkness. Pack mules and carrying parties often finished the task of getting the supplies up to the firing line.
The "Advance", "Intermediate" and "Base" Sectors were all separate commands within the AEF. Each of which encompassed a specific area of geography that was located behind the "Zone of Advance". The borders of those three sectors were in a constant state of flux depending on the ebb and flow of combat at the front.
The personnel permanently posted to those sectors were generally support troops composed of Engineer, Quartermaster, Medical, Signal Corps, Military Police, Motor Transport, Ordnance and other personnel. Collectively, these troops composed the personnel of each respective sector and wore the appropriate shoulder patch. However, a number of units (both large & small) within the various sectors adopted an unofficial shoulder insignia that was unique to their particular organization, and wore that instead of the shoulder insignia that had been prescribed by the AEF.
In other words, the Advance Sector shoulder patch was not worn by a single branch of military service or by a single military outfit. It was worn by a wide variety AEF organizations, each of which specialized in supporting the front line combat units. Therefore the men from a butcher's outfit at a cold storage plant - laborers from a stevedore regiment - engineers operating a sawmill - mechanics at a motor park - doctors and nurses at a base hospital - supply clerks at a warehouse, and so on, were all authorized to wear the Advance Sector shoulder patch if they were based within the boundaries of that particular command.
This excellent rare grouping is for a Medical Advance Sector Service of Supply soldier and features the following pieces:
WWI issue wool tunic with Cross of Lorraine Advance Sector Service of Supply patch to left shoulder and wool medical insignia on right sleeve. Features WWI Victory Medal ribbon bar, Medical collar tab and correct U.S. Eagle brass buttons. Overall condition is excellent.
M1917 Doughboy helmet with Cross of Lorraine Advance Sector Service of Supply insignia and traces of camouflage paint and the outline of the First Army A above the Cross of Lorraine insignia. The shell is maker marked ZH31 and is missing the liner and most of the chinstrap. The helmet shell has a small puncture/dent next to the insignia which appears to have been made but a projectile.
Overall a massive set from a Sergeant in the Medical Corps that served in the Great War.
