Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Soldier from Hart, Mich., member of Co. H, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diary, undated narrative, and newspaper clipping from the Hart Journal describing his military training at Fort Custer, Michigan, and his combat experience in Russia; also visual materials.

This collection contains physical files as well as digital material. In this finding aid, the collection has been arranged into two series, Papers and Visual Materials.

The Visual Materials consists of digitized images; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the link next to the individual folder in the Content List below. Within this series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The file in this collection is in TIF format. Includes a digitized portrait of Private Roy Paul Rasmussen, Co. H, 339th Infantry, in uniform, ca. 1918.

The Papers, all photocopied reproductions, include a diary, June 1918-July 1919, containing descriptions of his travels, the food and weather in Russia, and actions on the Onega front, especially fighting in and near Chekuevo, Sep. and Oct. 1918 and Jan. 1919, and at Bolshie Ozerki, March and April 1919; and a reminiscence covering the period June 1918-March 1919, probably written from the diary, that also contains a list of casualties in Co. H, descriptions of a numbered series of photos produced by the Red Cross, and two poems, "The Creation of Russia" and "The Day of Do or Die." Also included are newspaper clippings containing letters from Rasmussen describing his first days in Russia. The originals of the papers are owned by Dale Rasmussen, Shelby, Mich.

Papers of a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

Letters describing Riodan's experiences in Russia.

Soldier from Port Huron, Mich., member of Co. B, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes letters describing primarily food and the weather.

Letters describing daily activities; also diaries containing brief descriptions of his activities in Russia and of his passage home. Most of the collection has not been digitized.

Scanned copy of photograph of C. J. Robinson, who served as private, Royal Army Medical Corps, 1916-1919, and served on HM Hospital Ship Kalyan, which transported injured troops from the Allied intervention at Archangel, Russia, to Britain.

This collection contains digital reproductions; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Photographs. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in JPG format.

The collections consists of a digitized photograph that belonged to Private C. J. Robinson, who served with the RAMC, Royal Army Medical Corps, 1916-1919, on the HM Hospital Ship Kalyan. The photograph was taken in 1918 at a concert party of RAMC members dressed in Pierrot costumes on board the Kalyan, identified as the North Russian Expeditionary Force.

Charles Douglas Roe (1895-1931) was a soldier in the 4th Platoon, Company I of the 339th Infantry during World War I. He served in the war from December 18, 1917 until July 23, 1919 and was stationed in Northern Russia for nine months. His company was called Detroit's own, The Polar Bear. Collection includes photocopies of group portraits of the 339th Infantry, Company I while stationed overseas during World War I, a photocopy of Roe's services card, and his obituary.

Photocopies of group portraits of the 339th Infantry, Company I while stationed overseas during World War I, a photocopy of Roe's services card, and his obituary.

Debriefing report and diary of Anton Russell, private in the 339th Infantry Medical Detachment, sent to Archangel, Russia at the end of World War I, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

This collection contains original materials and digital reproductions. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Papers. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in TIF format.

Includes files containing the digitized diary, or travel log, of Russell's service and a Polar Bear reunion medal; also a non-digitized transcribed copy of a debriefing report.

Soldier from Cleveland, Ohio, member of 167th Transportation Corps who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes roster of members, transcript of military record, and miscellanea.

The papers include a roster of the 167th Co., a transcript of Russell's military record, and miscellanea.

Soldier from Detroit, Mich., member of Co.K, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diaries and correspondence relating to World War I, his military training, and experiences in Russia on the Polar Bear expedition.

The 1916 diary describes his civilian life. The diaries, July 1918-March 1919 and June-July 1919, describe the ocean voyage to Russia, life in Archangel and on patrol, his dislike of British officers and strategy, fighting at Seletskoe, Sept. 1918; Kodish, Sept.-Oct. 1918; Verst 455 (on the railroad), Oct. 1918; and Kodish, Dec. 1918-Jan. 1919; a mutiny of Russian troops, Dec. 1918, his visit to France and Bolshevik agitation in the army there, and the voyage home. The correspondence, May 1917-June 1919, describes his experiences at Fort Sheridan, Ill., at Camp Custer, and in England, the Russian people, Archangel, and his daily routine. Also included is a letter from Charles E. Lewis, March 14, 1919, recounting Private Charlie Price's description of fighting by Co. K at Kodish, Oct. 13, 1918.

Member of Co. G, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes partial transcript of interview recounting his experiences with the Polar Bear Expedition; and miscellanea collected at the time of the expedition.

The tapes contain two interviews conducted in Dec. 1971 by Sheldon Annis, in which Salchow describes his general memories of the campaign, the Russian people, Archangel, relations with British and French troops, his experiences at Camp Custer, machine gun training, army food, the mutiny of Co. I, and the morale of the troops. A partial transcript of one of the interviews is included in the papers, along with issues of The Trident, published aboard the U.S.S. Von Steuben while returning from Russia, six post cards of Archangel scenes, and some Russian money.

Two oversize photographs (original and copy) depicting Company A, 339th United States Infantry, which served in the Allied intervention in Northern Russia, 1918-1919, also known as the "Polar Bear Expedition." The original photograph was taken in June 1919 in Brest, France when the Company returned from Russia.

Soldier from Cudahy, Wisconsin; master engineer with 1st Battalion, 310th U.S. Engineers who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes correspondence, reports, clippings, and photograph album.

Correspondence describing his activities in Russia, brief letter from Robert La Follette regarding his opposition to the intervention, final report of the 310th Engineers (incomplete), and news clippings. Photograph album includes photos of scenes in Archangel and surrounding countryside, American soldiers in camp and in the field, fortifications and buildings constructed by the 310th Engineers, Russian people, Allied ships.

Member of Co. B, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes record of combat experiences against Bolshevik troops.

The diary, July 1918-July 1919, describes his journey from Camp Custer to Russia, patrolling the countryside, his uncertainty and bewilderment over the objectives and purpose of the campaign, fighting at Seltso, Oct. 1918, and Toulgas, Oct. and Nov. 1918; the defense of Toulgas, Jan.-Feb. 1919; fighting at Kurgomen, March-April 1919; and his return to the United States.

Resident of Detroit, Mich., who served as a photographer with the 310th Engineers during the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes photographs of 310th Engineers training at Camp Custer, Mich., and in Russia, Detroit Fire Dept. personnel and equipment, Detroit waterfront, farming in Roscommon County, hunting and fishing in Roscommon County, logging in Baraga County.

The photograph album has been disbound. It contains photographs of the 310th Engineers training at Camp Custer, Mich., and in Russia, Detroit Fire Dept. personnel and equipment, the Detroit waterfront, farming in Roscommon County, hunting and fishing in Roscommon County, and logging in Baraga County.

Panoramic group photo of the Polar Bear Association and veterans of the 310th Engineers Regiment.

Photograph shows group portrait of Polar Bear veterans seated at banquet tables.

Corporal in Company B, 310th. Engineer Regiment during the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes photographs of Schultz and Schultz's family.

The collection consists of three photographs. One is a photographic postcard of Frank Henry Schultz, taken in Archangel Russia during the expedition. One is a photocopy of a Schultz family photo, which includes Frank's mother, Frank's sister Minnie Schultz Chromasta and neice Hazel Chromasta, and Frank's father. The third is a photocopy of another family photo, including Frank's mother, Frank's neices Grace Vierheilig and Hazel Chromasta, and nephew William Vierheilig.

Member of Co. K, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes citation from French government for bravery in combat in 1918; and photographs.

A photocopy of a citation for bravery from the French government and photographs taken at the ceremonies at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery during which the bodies of American soldiers returned from Russia were reinterred.

Soldier from Detroit, Mich., member of Co. E, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diary of service in Russia, Nov.7, 1918-Jan.14, 1919 and other war-related papers.

The papers include a diary, Nov. 1918-Jan. 1919, describing daily life, monotony, the weather, and fighting at Kodish, Dec. 1918. Also included are newspaper clippings, miscellanea, and photographs. Also artifacts: helmet, shell casing trench art (75 mm), 37 mm shell, VFW Post 436 cap, and uniform insignia. (The photographs and artifacts have not been digitized.)

Soldier from Grand Rapids, Mich., member of 337th Ambulance Company who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diaries and reminiscences of his service in Russia and training at Fort Custer, Michigan; also his diaries of life in Grand Rapids, photographs, motion pictures, and miscellaneous.

The collection includes diaries and a reminiscence of his service in Russia, at Obozerskaya and Archangel, and his training at Fort Custer, Mich.; also clippings and miscellanea. The collection also includes views of Fort Custer, Mich., and photos taken in Russia (both U. S. Signal Corps photos and snapshots) of American and allied soldiers, cities and towns, Russian people, battle scenes, and means of transportation; also a motion picture (16 mm original with DVD and streaming file use copies) containing miscellaneous scenes of American troops in Archangel. Also included Smith's diaries dated 1910 and 1914-1916.

Soldier from Detroit, Mich., member of Co. A, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diary, letter, memorabilia, and notes concerning his part in the Polar Bear Expedition.

The papers include a diary, July 1918-July 1919, describing the voyage to Archangel, his movements in Russia, his longing for home, and the voyage back to the United States. Also found in the diary are a transcript of an address by Americans to the Bolshevik soldiers and a statement describing an explosion at Shenkursk in January 1919. A separate journal, dated January-February 1919, describes fighting at Ust Padenga, Nizhnyaya Gora, and Vysokaya Gora, and includes a sketch map of the area. Also included are a letter describing army food and his longing for home, and a chronology of his military service, July 1918-April 1919.

Member of Co. D, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes daily account of his activities as a member of the expeditionary force; also includes maps, clippings, and roster of Co. D, 339th Infantry, United States Army.

The diary, July 1918-July 1919, is a photocopy of a typescript, and describes his voyage to Russia, the movements of Co. D, and fighting at Seltso, Sept. 1918; Kodish, Oct. 1918; Toulgas, Nov. 1918; Vistafka, Feb.-March 1919; and Tooting[?], April-May 1919. Also included are sketch maps of Vistafka Half Way Post and Shegovaya and a clipping, May 25, 1930, from the Detroit Free Press titled "The Forgotten Regiment," in which Smith describes his experiences in Russia. The article is based on the diary.