Here's a good article on why Americans don't cherish the memories and soldiers of World War I as much as they do with WWII, the Civil War, etc.
No conclusions really, but it has set me to thinking. I, too, haven't spent as much time visiting WWI sites and battlefields. (in fact, I have done hardly anything on the American participation)
I think it is high time I broke this mold and started doing more WWI work here. Yes, the Civil War, WWII and, to a lesser extent, the Indian Wars are what bring in traffic, but I think it is time we Americans remember more about our WWI past.
Stay tuned for more WWI rides and comments.

Check out the blog of the grandson of English World War 1 soldier, Henry Lamin, 90 years after the fact.

The blog states;

"This blog is made up of transcripts of Harry Lamin's letters from the first World War. The letters will be posted exactly 90 years after they were written. To find out Harry's fate, follow the blog!"

More about;
WILLIAM HENRY BONSER LAMIN
Born in August 1887 in Awsworth Notts, to Henry and Sarah Lamin. Elder Sisters Catherine (Kate) and Agnes (Annie) and Elder brother John (Jack). Educated at Awsworth Board School, just outside Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England.

This is the type of thing that the internet excels at. This is getting (highly deserved) attention from all around the web. It can be nothing but good for spreading the experiences of one of our nation's soldiers to a whole new audience.

Touratech has announced that its founder, Herbert Schwarz, got a 5,000 km test ride of the BMW F800 GS through the African nations of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda 4 weeks before the launch at Milan. Lucky guy!

The really good news is that Touratech kitted the bike out with as many Touratech parts as possible for the ride, so we should have a wide selection of gear and gadgets for the 800 when it hits the showrooms.

I'd still like to ride it so I can compare it to my KTM 950 Adventure.

On a military history note, I'd love to ride the East African battlefields of the German commander, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. Lettow-Vorbeck was never defeated in the field and caused enormous trouble for the British in east Africa during World War 1, even thought the British had an overwhelming numerical advantage.

In the early morning hours of 9 March 1916, Mexican rebel leader Francisco "Pancho" Villa led a band of Mexican Revolutionaries on an attack of Columbus, New Mexico.
The background intrigue is far more interesting than the actual battle battle between Villa and the US 13th Cavalry who were stationed nearby. US President Woodrow Wilson had tried to manipulate Mexican leaders by supporting opposition leaders and rebels. Wilson had supported opposition leader Venustiano Carranzo when dictator Victoriano Huerta was in power. However, when Carranzo took power, Wilson didn't like him either, so he supported Villa and his "Villistas," even though Villa was a known bandit and murderer. When Carranzo changed a bit and began to court Wilson's administration for support, the US President switched again. Thereafter, Wilson allowed Carranzo to use US railways and jumping off points to fight Villa's forces. This enraged Villa.
Villa decided to attack the town of Columbus, New Mexico, just across the Mexican border. The 13th US Cavalry was totally surprised by the attack, but responded quickly to the fire once heard by setting up two machine guns at key points in the town. The Villistas were hit hard with around 75 killed. 18 civilians were also killed in the business district of town.
This singular event has very little lasting military significance, but what happened next is what is remembered. Wilson appointed General John (Blackjack) Pershing to chase down Villa in Mexico with the limited approval from Carranzo. Two years later, Villa remained on the run, but the campaign limited his actions severely and he was never able to attack the US again. However, Villa was a popular hero in Mexico for "standing up to the man" and the Carranzo government eventually had to rescind the permission to chase Villa in Mexico.
Pershing went on to lead the American Expeditionary Force in France at the end of World War I.

Motorcycle Ride Recommendation

Try this ride from El Paso, Texas along the Mexican border to Columbus, New Mexico then circle back to El Paso through southeastern New Mexico to get a feel for the area. You can check out the
Pancho Villa State Park at Columbus which is on the old site of Camp Furlong where the 13th Cavalry was based.

Book Recommendation: The General and the Jaguar: Pershing's Hunt for Pancho Villa from AbeBooks.com or Amazon.com

Map Recommendation: New Mexico Atlas and Gazetteer 2006 from AbeBooks.com or Amazon.com

Accor Hotels in the Southern New Mexico area

On 18 December 1916, the Battle of Verdun* ends after 10 months and almost a million casualties. The Germans had cynically wanted a protracted struggle with the hopes that it would drive the French (and by the French submission, the British) to the bargaining table. The Germans got exactly 1 half of what they wanted...the protracted bit, but the French had more fortitude than expected. The war was to continue for almost 2 more, gruelling years.

*Battle of Verdun ends, http://www.history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=17 (last visited Dec 18, 2006).

Books from Amazon.co.uk

Motorcycle Ride

Check out RealClassic.co.uk's trip around Verdun for some great ideas for riding in the area. There are some great pictures of classic bikes at the museum they visited.

Maps