Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

The photographs in this collection were received from various sources, the provenance of most of the photographs has been lost and therefore these images have been grouped together by subject into an artificial accumulation. The digitized Polar Bear Expedition photograph collection is a part of a larger collection which includes a wide range of subject matter. The 24 images relating to the "Polar Bear Expedition" include photographs and postcards depicting various scenes, events, and individuals. Identified individuals include Private Walter Streit of Company M, 339th Infantry and General Richardson (W. P. Richardson?), as well as various photographs of Russian people. The collection also includes photographs of Company M, 339th Infantry and the 339th Infantry Supply Company and a photograph of a marker for Company H, 339th Infantry soldiers killed in action. Russian places documented in these photographs include Murmansk, Tegra, Archangel, Konetsbor, and the Vologda Railway.

The Walter McKenzie Collection consists largely of materials created as a result of the Japanese War Crimes Trials. The collection has been arranged into eight series: Biographical/Personal; Correspondence; Articles, Speeches, etc.; International Military Tribunal for the Far East, International Prosecution Section; University of Michigan; World War I (Polar Bear Expedition); Miscellaneous; and Photographs. The Walter McKenzie Collection covers many aspects of McKenzie's life in addition to the Polar Bear expedition. The bulk of the collection consists largely of materials created as a result of the Japanese War Crimes Trials. The collection has been arranged into eight series: Biographical/Personal; Correspondence; Articles, Speeches, etc.; International Military Tribunal for the Far East, International Prosecution Section; University of Michigan; World War I (Polar Bear Expedition); Miscellaneous; and Photographs. Only the Polar Bear material and some biographical material has been digitized and can be viewed here. Researchers must visit the library to view the rest of McKenzie's collection. The Polar Bear materials consist of a diary, June 1918-July 1919, describing his voyage to Russia, his stay in a Red Cross Hospital there, routine work at headquarters, life in Archangel, a supply trip up the Dvina River in a gunboat in June 1919, and the voyage home. Also included are correspondence, June 1918-July 1919, describing life at Camp Custer, the voyage to Russia, life in Archangel, civilian conditions there, his ambition to go to the front, and his boat trip up the river. Other materials include ca. 30 picture postcards of Archangel, Murmansk, and countryside scenes, an issue of The Call, an English-language Bolshevik newspaper published in Moscow, a copy of the constitution of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic, an issue of The Mess Kit and one of the Daily Communique, both published in France for American soldiers, consisting of poems, and miscellaneous programs, clippings, and rosters.

This collection contains digital records; 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 two series, Papers and 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 for digitized images, includes one TXT file with a commentary of the photographs.

Digitized files include letters and photographs relating to Lauer's service in Russia. including street scenes in Archangel and Murmansk, warships, Russian people, American and other soldiers, and some scenes of France, 1918-1919; also contains digitized magazine articles relating to the expedition, and reunion pamphlets.

This collection contains digital records; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals lended to the Bentley Historical Library before being returned. Preservation copies of these files 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 two series, Papers and Photographs. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The digitized files in this collection are in TIFF format.

Digitized files include letters from Alfred Lyttle and subsequent letters sent and received by his brother Stephen Lyttle regarding Alfred Lyttle's death, burial, and the correspondence and legal documents related to the collection of A. Lyttle's life insurance policy; includes digitized photographs relating to Lyttle's burial in Russia and his memorial tombstone in Argonne, France; also contains a digitized open letter in a newspaper authored by Lyttle relating to his experience, a newspaper article relating to his death and digitized photocopies relating to his army record.

This collection contains digital records; 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 porginal files in this collection are in TIF format. Access copies were made in jpeg format.

Files include digitized photographs of ports, camps in England and France the Russian countryside, Murmansk soldiers on patrol and in camp, battle casualties, battle damage and construction on Russian railroads, airplanes, and other subjects, ca. 1918-1919. Many of these photographs are described in a printed list distributed by John E. Wilson, which can be found online in the "Finding Aid for the North Russia pictures, taken by John E. Wilson."

The papers include correspondence, Aug. 1918-July 1919, describing mapping expeditions, weather, scenery, shopping and baths in Archangel, and Russian houses and stoves (with diagrams). Also included are an essay "What Ails the ANREF?" dated April-May 1919, describing the causes of low morale among the troops; several poems about camp life; a copy of the final report of the 310th Engineers detailing construction projects completed; and a copy of The Midnight Sun, printed on the U.S.S. Steigerwald while the troops were being returned to the United States.

The photographs in this collection were received from various sources. Subjects include carriages, automobiles, Great Lakes shipping, railroads, and mass transit, especially street railroads. There are also images documenting activities within the mining, forestry, and lumber industries, mostly in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Also included are photographs of various ethnic groups and their societies, notably of Native Americans (1870s-1930s) of the Manistee and Ludington, Michigan, areas. Some of the images are street views and private residences in various Michigan towns and cities. Of interest are photographs of Michigan units taking part in the Spanish-American War and the "Polar Bear Expedition" of World War I. There is also a series of bookplates, [acquired from?] William H. Bicknell, many of which relate to the University of Michigan.

The diary consists of a shorthand original, July 1918-July 1919, and a typescript transcription by the author, and describes fighting at Seltso, Sept. 1918, work at battalion headquarters at Shenkursk, a YMCA Christmas program, the evacuation of Shenkursk, Jan. 1919, and fighting at Vistafka, Jan.-Feb. 1919. The scrapbook includes a clipping from a Shelby, Mich., newspaper containing a letter from Arkins describing his journey from the United States to Russia, the food, and the Russian people; poems about the campaign; a flyer defending British war aims in Russia; and three American Legion Weekly magazines, 1922, containing articles about the campaign by Daniel H. Steele.

The collection contains a map (not drawn to scale) collected by Heath showing the area south of Archangel, Russia along railroad and Dvina River between Bakaritza and Obozerskaya Kodish and Beresniki.

Includes Wade's correspondence mainly to his family, during his service at Fort Sheridan, Illinois Battle Creek, Michigan Camp Mills, New York and Russia (primarily Bakaritsa and Archangel). Wade's papers also include his detailed response to a questionnaire from a student studying the North Russian Expedition and a roster of the Supply Company. Also, photographs and a photograph album. (The photograph album is available in digital form only.)

The papers include lists of the members of Co. H.

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, Papers. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The file in this collection is in PDF format.

Includes a file containing the digitized diary and narrative reminiscence of Spaulding's service; file also contains a brief biographical note with photographs, written by his son.

The collection contains a map (not drawn to scale) drawn by Henkelman showing Toulgas, Archangel District, Russia with notes describing the battle of Nov. 11-14, 1918.

Printout of transcription of Rademacher's wartime diary.

The collection contains group portraits of units of the 168th Co. Transportation Corps.

The papers include newspaper clippings and a Thanksgiving menu of "Battling Company I."

The papers include a typescript, dated 1964, of a diary covering the period July 1918-July 1919, which describes his daily routine, fighting upriver from Shenkursk, Sept. 1918, and fighting at Ust Padenga, Jan. 1919. The correspondence is chiefly to him from his family, and gives little information about the campaign.

The collection contains maps (Scale 1:420,000) of the district of Archangel, Russia created by engineers of the Allied intervention in North Russia, the N.R.E.F. Mapping Section. The Bentley Historical Library has only a partial set of these maps.

The John Peterson papers consists of photocopies of military discharge papers and other official documents and a 1960 invitation to Polar Bear reunion and also a photograph of Peterson in uniform.

The collection contains maps (Scale 1:420,000 and [1:1,050,000] not "1/105,000") of the district of Archangel, Russia created in 1918 by engineers of the Allied intervention in North Russia. Individual sheets are by the Elope Mapping Section or the N.R.E.F. Mapping Section.

The collection contains a copy of the field diary of Co. H, Sept. 1918-Apr. 1919, describing the company's service on the Onega front, including fighting at Chekuevo, Sept. 1918; Wazentia[?], Oct. 1918; Turchasovo, Dec. 1918; Chinova, March 1919; and Bolshie Ozerki, March and April 1919. Also included are 34 photos by the American Red Cross, containing group portraits and pictures of base areas, churches, Russian people, soldiers on patrol, and fortifications, all taken in the Onega- Chekuevo area.

The papers include a diary, July 1918-Jan. 1919, describing patrolling, foraging for food, and fighting at Shenkursk, Oct. 1918, and Nijni Gora, Jan. 1919. Also included is a letter, Feb. 26, 1920, from T. B. Kernan, expressing his anger at news that the Bolsheviks had taken Archangel, and a roster of the 2d Platoon, Co. A.

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.

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.

Teh Primm Papers include a typed reminiscence (titled "Polar Bear Tales") with transcribed copies of letters written from Russia describing Primm's experiences. Also contains a digitized copy of the reminiscence and letters supplemented by photos and maps.

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.

The papers include a short reminiscence and several songs Bruce composed about the campaign.

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.

The papers include Albers' safe conduct from the Bolsheviks and his passport to the United States as well as a typescript diary, May 1918-July 1919, apparently that of Fred Kooyers, of Co. E, 339th Infantry, which includes descriptions of fighting at Kodish, Dec. 1918-Jan. 1919, and at Malie Ozerki, March 1919. Also included are newspaper clippings and papers relating to the Captain Howard H. Pellegrom Post No. 3734, Veterans of Foreign Wars, dated 1938-1945.

The collection contains maps (Scale 1:420,000) of the district of Archangel, Russia created in 1918 by engineers of the Allied intervention in North Russia, the 1st Battalion, 310th U.S. Engineers. The maps were published by the Allied Mapping Section. This copy contains only five of the six sheets published. Another copy of this map is found in the Frederick C. O'Dell papers.

Letters from Edmund Ironside, commanding officer of the Allied expedition and miscellaneous citations and decorations concerning activities of the Polar Bear expedition. Also a photo of Odjard with a group of children.

The diary, Sept. 1918-April 1919, a photocopy, describes his sympathy for the Russian people and the Bolshevik cause, his impressions of Russian life, housing, crops, food, and marriage, as well as fighting at Seltso, Sept. and Oct. 1918, and Toulgas, Oct. 1918. He also describes the difficulties in which he found himself in March 1919, when he drew up a petition protesting the presence of American troops in Russia after the end of the war. A transcript of the petition is included. The original of the diary is owned by Parrish.

Collected transcript of Ballard's diary and a letter to his family, copies of photos and of published materials relating to his service.

The papers consist mainly of obituaries and miscellaneous clippings. Photographs include portraits of Bigelow.

The papers include a copy of the "Summary of activities of medical personnel with 1st Battalion 339th Infantry, Sept. 1918-May 1919, which describes medical work at Shenkursk and fighting at Toulgas, Sept. 1918; Kodema [?], Dec. 1918; and Vistafka, Jan.-Feb. 1919. Also included are Katz's promotion and discharge papers.

The paper includes biographical information about Frisbie's uncle, Robert Granville, who served as sergeant, 337th Field Hospital, and transcriptions of several of his letters, Nov. 1917-March 1919. The letters include descriptions of army life at Camp Custer, his daily routine at Archangel, and the Russian people and their customs. A photograph of Granville is also included.

The photo album documents Johnson's experience while serving with the 310th Army Engineers in Northern Russia (primarily Archangel and Solombola) from 1918 to 1919. Photographs depict the exteriors and the interiors of the American army barracks, daily military life, individual and group portraits of American soldiers and officers, and military training. The album also includes scenic views, street scenes, images of religious processions, buildings and churches in Archangel, as well as portraits of the local people. Some photographs depict representatives of the indigenous population of Russian North.

Additional materials, placed in a separate folder, include one small portrait of Johnson in uniform (1917), loose photographs from the Polar Bear Expedition period, his biography, and letters particularly pertaining to his military service. An honorable discharge certificate includes information about Johnson's military rank, medals, time spent as a member of the North Russia Expeditionary Force.

Also included is an application for a Victory Medal and a 1968 The Navy Civil Engineer article by Johnson discussing his second military career during World War II. The folder also contains a hand-drawn sketch of Johnson asking his future wife Dorothy on a date and a photocopy of a letter to Dorothy highlighting a few of his daily military duties and activities.

Honorable discharge and enlistment record.

Letters describing Riodan's experiences in Russia.

The papers include Fleming's diary, 1918-1919, and transcripts of the diary. Also included are an undated portrait of Fleming and Sarah M. McInnis and photocopies of an undated diary, photographs, a map, and Russian money.

The Walter McKenzie Collection consists largely of materials created as a result of the Japanese War Crimes Trials. The collection has been arranged into eight series: Biographical/Personal; Correspondence; Articles, Speeches, etc.; International Military Tribunal for the Far East, International Prosecution Section; University of Michigan; World War I (Polar Bear Expedition); Miscellaneous; and Photographs.

This collection contains digital records; 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 two series, Papers and Visual Materials. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the number they were given by the donor. A short description of the digitized object follows the file number. The files in this collection are in TIF format.

Digitized papers include the 310th Engineers Christmas Greetings, Archangel Russia, the Midnight Sun, a diary of his service, which he called his Army record, two newspaper clippings and an untitled document dated June 30, 1919. Digitized photographs include: Amos by himself in uniform, Amos with three other soldiers, Firchow Mull and Drew in winter uniform, an unidentified photograph and a digital photograph of a uniform button.

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, Papers. Within this series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in JPG and BMP format.

Files include digitized letters relating to his service in Russia (1917-1919). Also, digitized photographs and postcards of Russian scenes and photos of Bartels in uniform (1917-1919); digital photographs of Bartels' uniform, medals, accoutrements and field gear (2005-2006); digitized transcripts of an oral history (2005).

Photos of the 337th and 340th Ambulance Companies and 310th Field Hospital training at Camp Custer, Mich. and of the Michigan Hut at Conlie, France.

The original photographs are owned by the donor; the Bentley only holds the digital versions.

The album contains ca. 350 photographs, including scenes of ports, camps in England and France, the countryside of Russia, Murmansk, men on patrol and in camp, battle casualties, battle damage and construction on the railroad, Russian people, village scenes, fortifications, allied soldiers, airplanes, repair of railroad cars, and the voyage home. These photographs are described in a printed list distributed by John E. Wilson.

[See North Russia pictures/taken by John E. Wilson for Wilson list]

Trammell's collection consists primarily of photocopies of records from the National Archives documenting the search and retrieval of Trammell's body from Russia. Also, photocopies of photographs of Trammell and his grave.

This collection contains digital records; 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 two series, Papers and 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.

Digitized files include Bandemer's enlistment record from 1917, his honorable discharge from 1919, and a letter citing his promotion to Sergeant dated 1919. Digitized photographs are of individuals and groups, including portraits of Bandemer, a photograph of Polar Bear Expedition medics ca. 1918-1919, also includes photographs of a Polar Bear Expedition reunion.

The collection includes diary (1918-1919) of Henry Ahrens, 330th Field Artillery; scrapbook (1916-1936) of Ernest Kaser, 126th and 128th Infantry; papers of Thomas J. McCarthy, 339th Infantry, chiefly relating to disability and insurance; papers of Carl G. Olson, 337th Infantry, including a letter received from relatives; papers of Jesse H. Stage, 160th Depot Brigade, Camp Custer, including letters received from relatives; pamphlets from the YMCA, Red Cross and other publishers; ration cards, artifacts, and photographs.

Photographs and postcards of Camp Custer, Mich.; group photos of members of 32nd Division in the Army of Occupation in Germany, 1919; 160th Depot Brigade, Camp Custer; oversize group portraits of members of 41st Machine Gun Battalion; 107th Supply Battalion; 214th Field Signal Battalion; 330th Field Artillery; Company B, 337th Infantry; 339th Infantry; 2nd Company, Officers' Training School, Camp Custer; and survivors of the troop ship Tuscania; portraits of members of 339th and 340th Infantry; photos of 126th and 128th Infantry in scrapbook of Ernest Kaser; postcard of military parade in Flint, Mich.; 330th Field Artillery pennant.

Duink's papers include a typed compilation of his letters during his service, a roster and rules of the 167th Company Transportation Corps, and transportation drawings, along with a photograph album including scenes of ports, camps in England and France, the countryside of Russia, Murmansk, men on patrol and in camp, battle casualties, battle damage and construction on the railroad, Russian people, village scenes, fortifications, allied soldiers, airplanes, repair of railroad cars, and the voyage home.

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. The original file in this collection is in BMP format, a jpeg copy has been made for web access.

The collection consists a sinngle digitized photograph of Rasmussen, who served Headquarters Company, 339th Infantry, in uniform, ca. 1918.

The reminiscence describes his training at Camp Custer, the journey to Russia, the Russian countryside and towns, hospital work in Shenkursk, Ust Vaga and Osinova, fighting at Nijni Gora, Jan. 1919, the evacuation of Shenkursk, Jan. 1919, and his return to the United States. It includes sketch maps of the Dvina-Vaga front and of the battle at Nijni Gora and Ust Padenga, Jan. 19, 1919.