Any idea about the reason behind their presence? Training AEF soldiers before they depart to France? I know many US troops departed from NJ.

Happy Easter to you all!

The French knew that the Yanks would be doing the French ladies shortly so in their 'Old World' wisdom they decided to get to N.J. and get their licks in first.

Jim

Maybe I'm wrong, but those look like Springfields stacked there. The Americans did use a lot of French equipment and there were French military personell training them in it's use.
Grizz

1917-2017

If I remember correctly, there were American units (African American ones?) that were integrated into French formations to the point of wearing their helmets and using their weapons. But this was after they had moved over to the operational theater I had thought.

You are right,200.000 came with US troops, they were denied combat role in the US Army despite volunteering, the French offered an opportunity they seized and they fought with gallantry.

http://www.militaryhistoryonli...htingforrespect.aspx

http://exhibitions.nypl.org/af...say-world-war-i.html

The number doubled,they were 380.000 in 1918

http://www.slate.fr/story/1173...cisme-troupes-noires

http://www.france24.com/fr/201...ters-afro-americain-

In the same area of Allaire is Ft Dix and what become Ft Monmouth. Right after World War 1 the latter became a center for military communication.

My guess would be a contingent of French Troops were there for cross-training with the AEF, probably for communications.

I did come across some current photos of buildings in Allaire that look very similar to the buildings in your photos.

You found the location, indeed!

You may be right about communication training, starting 1917 the use of radio became more common in French Forces and clearly a joint training was necessary.

How about a scene from a set of a 1928 silent movie featuring Gary Cooper called 'Lilac Time'

Rest of the Story: Allaire is a historical 'company town' built in the 19th Century. After the local iron industry faded it went through various owners and is now preserved as a living history site. Contact was made with their historical committee. They confirmed the photo location as Allaire Village. They researched it further and uncovered the movie set connection. Following is the email they sent.

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Hi Matt!

We’re both surprised by this one! This photo is actually a scene from a silent film Lilac Time. Through Arthur Brisbane’s (he owned the property at this time) NY connections he allowed the village to be used as a backdrop for silent films in the 1900’s. The older buildings were whitewashed for the filming of this silent movie which dealt with World War 1. So, French soldiers were never actually in the village – just actors portraying soldiers.

However, during WW II the Army did build a “mock” German village on the site (adding some empty facades) to use for training purposes.
13 such training camps were run throughout the area Camp Vail becoming Fort Monmouth and Camp Dix became Fort Dix.

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Lots of information is on the 'Net about the movie: It's a World War 1 movie with the plot of dashing-soldier-meets-French-girl

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0019098/

Just goes to show things are not always as they appear.

BRAVO! Good work!