1919 Schoolgirl Daily Diary of World War I, w/ Manuscript Maps, Cartoons, Sketches

An extraordinary discovery, this is a handwritten schoolgirl diary chronicling World War I from April 15, 1918, to just after June 23, 1919. The 124-page diary features meticulously executed hand-drawn maps covering battle fronts from France and Belgium to the Middle East, Ukraine (Crimea), the Caucasus, and Siberia, all of which are referenced in the text. A map near the end highlights the final Allied offensive and victories from August through November 1918. Photographs, airplane silhouettes, and newspaper clippings are pasted in as well, and the writer includes striking drawings of airplanes, tanks, airships, bombs, and manuscript copies of political cartoons.

Two Fold Out Manuscript Maps

The diary opens with two fold out manuscript maps. The first is entitled 'The Retreat in Flanders October 21st 1918'. It measures 15.5 x 8 inches, covering from the North Sea south to Arras. The battle line stretches from the Dutch border south through Belgium into France with arrows pointing east. The caption reads 'The last reports received from Belgium show that the enemy are in full retreat towards Eecloo and Ghent. Plumer's Army has broken across the Lys at Courtrai, and is nearing the Scheldt. The Fifth Army has reached Marquain, close to Tournai and according to Haig's last report, the front runs from Marquain and the Bois des Eclusettes to the East of Denain.'

The second map is entitled 'The War Zones of German Submarines Feb. 18th 1915.' It measures 9.5 x 7.75 inches. The map details Europe, labeling countries and capitals, including Berlin, Paris, London, Vienna, and Athens. Marseille and Gibraltar also identified. Parallel lines highlight blockaded areas of the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean around the British Isles. In the Mediterranean Sea, the same motif shades areas along the North African coast and surrounding Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica. The Adriatic and Aegean Seas are also completely shaded. In contrast, a small corridor is left unshaded, indicating the narrow shipping lane to Greece permitted by Germany.

The Diary

Following the two maps, the unknown writer begins a war diary, which chronicles the 'Western Campaign' and 'Eastern Campaign' from April 15th, 1918, through the end of the war, and continues until June 28, 1919, when the Germans signed the peace agreement. The writer follows events on a nearly daily basis, noting regularly the number of German aircraft ('machines') shot down against the number of British aircraft missing. German, French, American, Italian, and other actions are included, as are the beginning of battles. The writer also consistently notes the number of prisoners taken by each sides. As the end of the war nears she remarks on peace negotiations and armistice signings (most of which are underlined) and 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 is specifically noted as when Germany signed the armistice.

The daily entries continue following the armistice, chronicling activities in Europe concerning the occupation of Germany and the surrender of German armaments. She also follows fighting in Russia in late 1918 - 19 between Bolsheviks and White Russians. Armistice and peace terms specific to each country appear at several points, emphasizing the piecemeal manner in which World War I ended. Concerning the Paris Peace Conference, the writer pays specific attention to the movements of President Woodrow Wilson across Europe, with a diagram of the Paris Peace Conference table. She notes in large block letters on June 20, 1919 'PEACE SIGNED' after 4 years and 328 days of war.

More material appears after the signing of the peace treaty. This includes a table that details number of British civilians killed and injured in air raids and sea bombardments between December 16, 1914, and June 17, 1918, and comments on Germany's loss of its colonies. A large color map detailing Germany's new borders and how the forfeited territory was meted out or 'restored' appears near the end and is followed by an explanation of the Covenant of the League of Nations.

The Writer's Identity

Unfortunately, the writer does not include her name in the diary or, for that matter, any other identifying information. The only thing we know about her (and this is also speculation) is that she was likely a student at St. Katharine's School Wantage in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England. The school's seal is embossed on the diary's front cover. St. Katharine's was founded in 1894 and opened in 1898. St. Katharine's merged with St. Helen's in 1938 and became The School of St. Helen and St. Katharine. Also, the inclusion of photographs from the Middle Eastern theater suggests that she was in contact with someone in that theater, but who that might have been is unknown.