The Argonne Forest
The war front ran through the Argonne Forest near Verdun where the Germans and French fought bitter battles. The Americans rushed to help the French troops.
Various postcards show pictures of Salvationists at work in the Argonne Forest on the front line of the war.
Doughnut Girls in the Argonne Forest
At this dangerous place on the front, Salvationists were there for the soldiers and tried to relieve the physical or mental distress. They also took on very practical services, darning socks, helping in writing letters and making doughnuts, which were much loved by the Americans. "Doughnut Girls" was soon the nickname of The Salvation Army helpers on the front lines.
Soldiers Queue in Front of The Salvation Army Tent
On the exterior of this remodelled shell casing is the inscription "M. Sheldon, Argonne Forest, Sept. 1918", below as picture of 2 shells
Here is a remodelled shell casing remade for the purpose of forming doughnuts.
Doughnuts (Donuts) are a small, spongy cake made of dough and fried, which a person might eat to tea or coffee. Often in the difficult circumstances of war a good amount of fantasy and flexibility were needed in order to produce these doughnuts.
Doughnuts were made and distributed to soldiers under the most difficult conditions. Doughnuts were not just food, but it also meant a piece of home comforting many of those soldiers.
Nowadays the spelling "Donuts" is often used.
Making Doughnuts at the Front in France