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Original 1917 WWI 88th Division Song Sheet Camp Dodge Iowa Military History Ephemera
An authentic piece of World War I military history documenting the songs sung by the men of the 88th Division during training at Camp Dodge, Iowa, before deployment to France.
DOCUMENT DETAILS:- Title: \"A Number of Songs Used by the Men of the 88th Division, N.A. Camp Dodge Iowa\"- Unit: 88th Infantry Division, National Army- Location: Camp Dodge, Iowa- Era: 1917-1918 (World War I)- Size: 10\" x 5\"- Format: Typed song sheet with multiple song lyrics- Condition: Good
SONG CONTENT:
This sheet includes lyrics to popular WWI songs sung by soldiers, with references to:- Kaiser Bill (Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany)- \"Leaving Broadway Hello France\" - referencing deployment to Europe- Other period military songs and marching tunes
These songs were part of the soldiers\' daily life - sung during training, marches, and leisure time to build morale and unit cohesion.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
88TH INFANTRY DIVISION:The 88th Division was a National Army division organized in August 1917 at Camp Dodge, Iowa, following America\'s entry into World War I. The division trained approximately 40,000 men and was preparing for deployment to France when the Armistice was signed in November 1918.
Though the 88th did not see combat in WWI (arriving too late), it was reactivated in WWII and fought with distinction in the Italian Campaign, earning the nickname \"Blue Devils.\"
CAMP DODGE:Located near Des Moines, Iowa, Camp Dodge was one of the major U.S. Army training facilities during WWI. Thousands of Midwestern recruits passed through Camp Dodge, transforming from civilians into soldiers before shipping overseas.
MILITARY SONGS & MORALE:Singing was crucial to military life - it built unit cohesion, maintained morale during grueling training, and helped soldiers cope with separation from home. These songs mixed patriotism, humor, and defiance of the enemy (\"Kaiser Bill\").
\"OVER THERE\" ERA:The reference to \"Leaving Broadway Hello France\" captures the dramatic transformation American soldiers experienced - from the streets of American cities to the trenches of France. These songs documented that journey.
RARITY:Printed song sheets like this were ephemeral items - meant to be used and discarded. Most were lost, destroyed, or deteriorated. Surviving examples from specific units are scarce and valuable for military historians and collectors.
CONDITION NOTES:Good condition for 107-year-old military ephemera. Paper shows age-appropriate wear and handling consistent with use in a military camp environment. All text legible. Some light toning and edge wear. Natural fold lines present. See photos for complete assessment.
PROVENANCE:From a private collection of 19th and early 20th century American ephemera.
Perfect for:✓ WWI military collectors✓ 88th Infantry Division historians✓ Camp Dodge & Iowa military history✓ Military music & songs✓ National Army documentation✓ WWI training camp ephemera✓ American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) history✓ Military genealogy research
A tangible connection to the young men who trained at Camp Dodge during America\'s \"Great War.\"
Ships flat in rigid mailer with archival protection.
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