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Hurrah! Boys, whate'er betide, the time for "Notes" is past The "Stars and Stripes" fight side by side with the "Southern Cross" at last
Hurrah! Boys, whate'er betide, the time for "Notes" is past The "Stars and Stripes" fight side by side with the "Southern Cross" at last

Hurrah! Boys, whate'er betide, the time for "Notes" is past The "Stars and Stripes" fight side by side with the "Southern Cross" at last

Author
Date1918
Object number00015295
NamePostcard
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 86 x 138 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionPostrcard from WWI celebrating the entry of the United States into the war. Beneath the image are lines from a poem by Alec Barr reading 'Hurrah! Boys, whate'er betide, the time for "Notes" is past The "Stars and Stripes" fight side by side with the "Southern Cross" at last'. On the reverse, dated 5 August 1918, is written 'Dear Old Ugly, Just to let you know I received your field card dated 11/6/18. Willie Turnbull wrote to his mother telling her that you had been gassed he said looked crook on it & thought you would be sent to Hospital, but no such luck eh poor old kid. I think you are there till the war ends. Chris has told you about poor old Pat getting a hit, they reported him dangerous gun shot wound in the back July 4th. I will write you a letter later. Best of love & luck from all at home. All's well from your old pal Annie xxxxxx'.HistoryAt the outbreak of WWI the United States was committed to remaining a neutral entity. President Wilson was in favour of trying to broker a peace deal between nations and for America to retain her free trading rights in safety. But by 1917 the sinking of the LUISTANA in 1915 was still being felt and there was growing pressure at home that neutrality was no longer the best course of action. When Germany declared in 1917 that it would resume unrestricted submarine warfare on all ships, including American, there was little choice but to enter the fray, especially when a number of American merchant ships were sunk with loss of life. All doubt seemed to be eliminated when British intelligence revealed the Zimmerman Telegram. This telegram was sent from the German Foreign Minister to the German Ambassador in Mexico to propose a German/Mexico alliance in a war against the United States.SignificanceAfter years of neutrality, the United States entered the war in April 1917. After over two years of fighting it was a huge morale and logistical boost for the Allies and certainly impacted the outcome of WWI. .