AEF acronym

Grovetown · 13 October 2006, 02:09 AM

Came across a guy researching a relative who served in the '1st ASM Regt' of the AEF in WW1; but couldn't find an obvious explanation of the acronym ASM.

I thought it might be something like Alabama or Arkansas State Militia (ie a National Guard unit); while he thinks it might be Air Service Maintenance.

I have no idea whether my guess is correct; while I have never heard of his suggestion.

Can anyone here shed light?

Best wishes,

Grovetown.

Jim · 13 October 2006, 12:05 PM

I suppose it could be many things. I just did a quick google "air service mechanic" which turned up several hits including a Library of Virginia reference to some papers that belonged to a Virginia man who had served in the war that reads:

Goode, Richard A.
Papers, 1915–1941.
Accession No. 36724
This collection includes correspondence of Corporal Goode of the First Air Service Mechanic Regiment, Company 15,and other materials from France such as postcards, clippings, photographs, booklets, and a manuscript entitled “A.W.O.L.in Paris.”

On the other hand your Arkensas or Alabama State Militia also sounds plausible to me.

cameldriver · 13 October 2006, 03:30 PM

I Would Have To Agree That It Almost Definitely Refers To Air Service Mechanic. I Have Seen It Used In That Regard In Many Documents.

MilesC · 13 October 2006, 03:33 PM

See this thread in the Great War Forum

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/fo...hp/t60847.html

The question was like yours:
I originally posted this to the war in the air section as I thought it may have an air service connection but I still have not found an answer.

I am looking for the meaning (in the context of the A.E.F.) of "A.S.M. Regiment"

I have found several references to it in service records and what prompted my initial interest is it was given as a return address on a package that was sent to family members from France. I have not yet been able to discover what it is. Any help appreciated. I have checked several print and online guides to acronyms without finding anything obviously relevant.
Chris

The answer:

An "ASM regiment" was an "Air Service mechanics regiment." As far as I an tell, there were four of these units, each of which was composed of a dozen or more separately deployable companies.

As might be expected, most of the men who served in these companies were, to use a term that soon passed out of the American military vocabulary, "fitters."

Grovetown · 14 October 2006, 01:09 AM

Hi guys

Thanks for that.

Miles: have seen it on the Long Trail - and it was that there prompted me to bring it here, on the basis that the 'Drome is air-focussed and a lot more Murkan.

Best wishes,

Grovetown.