Emil Taussig
From LibraryWiki
The personal journal and photographs of United States Band Corporal of the 331 RGT, Emil Taussig, is a unique find demonstrating the lack of attention paid to members of WWI military band members. Emil actively kept journal along with a stack of photographs, providing an authentic glimpse of his daily life. His diary's emergence represents the forgotten experience of the Military Band member.
Emil Taussig United States Band Corporal Hoqtrs. 331st RGT Enrolled September 19, 1917 Discharged May 6, 1919
Emil was a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He began his service, in WWI, in September of 1917. However, it was not until May 23, 1918 that he makes his first entry in his officially issued Army Navy Diary, at Camp Sherman, located in Chilicothe, Ohio (During WWI, the Army and Navy had not been separated into two different branches of the military).
He begins his first entry with a song, made popular by Elsie Janis, a popular singer during the Great War era,
“Oh You Dirty German:”
Today is Monday- Monday
Monday bullets, oh you dirty German we wish the same to you
Today is Tuesday- Tuesday Tuesday bayonnetts, Monday bullets, oh you dirty German we wish the same to you
Today is Wednesday- Wednesday Wednesday shrapnel, Tuesday bayonnetts, Monday bullets, oh you dirty German we wish the same to you.
Today is Thursday-Thursday Thursday gas bombs, Wednesday shrapnel, Tuesday bayonnetts, Monday Bullets, oh you dirty German we wish the same to you
Today is Friday- Friday Friday first aid, Thursday gas bombs, Wednesday shrapnel, Tuesday bayonnetts, Monday bullets, oh you dirty German we wish the same to you.
Today is Saturday-Saturday Saturday hospital, Friday first aid , Thursday, gas bombs, Wednesday shrapnel, Tuesday bayonnetts, Monday bullets, oh you dirty German we wish the same to you.
Today is Sunday, Sunday Sunday Funeral Oh you dirty German we wish the same to you
He included written music behind the lyrics as to imply intentions of playing it, maybe along with others. The statement of the dirty “German” shows the common American (as well as other Allied forces) perception of blame of the Great War falling mainly onto the side of the Axis.
(For more on Elsie Janis please see the digital exhibit on the OSU Libraries web site.)
