Grippe-Caught-Us-Quicker-than-the-UBoats_Kohnen_NWCF_FINAL.pdf

Dear Naval War College Foundation Members:

Up until the last few months, the word “pandemic” typically conjured up images of centuries past. Pandemics seemed to be something of days gone by; something modern medicine and public health officials could stave off, not something that would affect us so personally and profoundly in our lifetimes. Yet here we are.

If, as William Shakespeare says, “past is prologue,” then looking back at the pandemic of 1918-1920 might help us better understand and place into a broader context what our ancestors faced and how we might look to the past to inform our daily lives.

In this regard, we bring to you the article, “Grippe Caught us Quicker than the U-Boats: The Lingering Sickness of War and the Pandemic of 1918-1920.” The article is written by David Kohnen, Director of the Naval War College’s John B. Hattendorf Center for Maritime Historical Research, in collaboration with Nicholas Jellicoe, the grandson of Sir John Jellicoe who commanded the British fleet during the Battle of Jutland in World War I, and NWCF Trustee Nat Sims, grandson of U.S. Navy admiral William S. Sims, commander of the U.S. Naval Forces in World War I and two-time President of the Naval War College. Accompanying the article are beautiful images taken directly from the Center’s archives. We are grateful to Dave, Nick and Nat for putting together this enlightening piece and hope you will find it as engaging and interesting as we do.

The article brings history to life and was written especially for the Naval War College Foundation to share with you, our valued members, and the broader public. Please be sure to share it with any of your friends who might also find it interesting. We are grateful for the generous support of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library which allows us to produce articles like this. Last but never least, we also thank you, our generous members and benefactors, for your support which allows us to underwrite, in-part, the research and work of our colleagues at the U.S. Naval War College. YOU make the difference! Please enjoy.

Gratefully yours,

Carla Knorowski, PhD
President and CDO
Naval War College Foundation