Eagle boat launchingEagle boats like this were produced by Ford to hunt German U-boats in World War One.

Keynote on American WWI experience to open military history conference

A discussion of the U.S. experience in the First World War will open the 12th annual Windsor Military Studies Conference, Friday at the Major F.A. Tilston Armory.

The two-day conference is a community-centred event exploring Canada’s military history, and is a collaboration between Canadian Armed Forces units based in Windsor, the University of Windsor, and Wilfrid Laurier University’s Centre for Military, Strategic and Disarmament Studies. The theme this year is “A region responds to war;” speakers will share insights into Canadian involvement in the world wars.

Bruce Zellers, a lecturer in history at Oakland University, will present “A Disappointed Dream: The United States in World War I,” Friday at 7 p.m.

Saturday sessions include:

  • “Bill Tutte and the Breaking of the Lorenz code at Bletchley Park;”
  • “Perspectives from the Trenches: An analysis of how the Canadian Expeditionary Forces viewed the world around them, 1914-1918;”
  • “Eagle Boats in the Great War: Ford Motor Company and the United States Military in World War One;” and
  • “Coming to terms with the Romance and Reality of Vimy Ridge.”

Admission is $25, which includes lunch Saturday. The entire event is free for students. The Armory is located at 4007 Sandwich Street.