The Oo La La Times
A word of explanation is necessary concerning the name of this Journal; "Oo! La! La!" is the one expression, it is used to express all the different feelings in the French catalog: pleasure or pain; fatigue or surprise; anger or uncertainly: always accompanied by suitable gestures, of course. Hence the "exclamation" -- for that is what it is -- has become a by-word of the American troops. (Extract from The "Oo La La" Times Vol. I, No I.)
The "Oo La La" Times was the unofficial journal of the 17th Engineers, (Ry), A.E.F. It was a regimental newspaper printed in St. Nazaire, France by soldiers in their spare time. It was one of a number of "camp and trench" newspapers published but was one of the first in France. It also predated the W.W.I Stars and Stripes by three months. Each company had a reporter that reported little stories and jokes as well as letters to the editor, poems and other items of interest to the troops. The companies were referred to as the Peaceful A, Ramblin B, Howlin C, Galloping D, Laboring E, Contented F, the Hospital Detachment, Headquarters and RSO (Regimental Supply Office).
Some issues did biographical sketches of Engineer officers. Inter unit sports were reported. It also served as a record of the regiments accomplishments detailing the miles of track laid and the number of rail yards constructed. A lot of articles were designed to promote unit pride and encourage good work by the troops. An effort was made to keep the home front informed and the soldiers were encouraged to send the paper home. Some stateside papers reprinted sections of the paper.
The paper was distributed through Y.M.C.A. Huts and all company and detachment offices. The price started out at 50 centimes in order to get a small reserve fund. The price was to be 25 centimes in the future. It was reduced on the 5th issue but had to be again raised to 50 centimes, or 5 Clackers, by the 11th issue. At that time 10 centimes was worth 2 U.S. cents so Five Big Clackers was worth 10 U.S. cents. The editor from time to time issued an urgent request that the money be forthcoming as IOU's didn't cover the immediate cost of printing. The troops were encouraged to buy two copies and pay cash. At this time the average Private's pay was about $1.00 a day. The paper was described as fully censured before printing and mailable anywhere in the world. Soldiers were encouraged to send copies home as cheap souvenirs that they would enjoy reading in the future. "Send it home as it's as good as a letter" was what the editor would say.
Fifteen issues were printed before all the troops went home.
Vol I, NO I October 30, 1917
Vol I, No II November 29, 1917
Vol I, No III December 23, 1917
Vol I, No IV January 1, 1918
Vol I, No V February 2, 1918
Vol I, No VI April 10, 1918
Vol I, No VII May 12, 1918
Vol I, No VIII ?
Vol I, No IX July 4th - 14th, 1918
Vol I, No X ?
Vol I, No XI October 1 , 1918
Vol I, No XII November 1, 1918
Vol II, No. I December 1, 1918
Vol II, No II January 1, 1919
Vol II, No III February 1, 1919
Every few issues, the masthead was changed. They ranged from simple to whimsy to a more serious side of war as well as commemorating the American and French Revolutions finally followed by a formal military style.
Simple....................... Style 1
Whimsy..................... Style 2
Serious War............... Style 3
Commemorative.........Style 4
Engineer Whimsy........Style 5
Formal Military..........Style 6As it turns out the Oo La La Times seems to be one of the few if not the only record of the 17th Railway Engineers readily available. For this I am grateful as I spent considerable time trying to locate a more "official" history without success. My great uncle Frank brought home two copies as a souvenir. That was what started this web page effort.