Mesves-sur-Loire

In 1918, during World War I, a field between the towns of Mesves-sur-Loire and Bulcy was the site of an American army hospital.^[4] The hospital was run by the U.S. Base Hospital No. 50 unit. The unit reached Mesves-sur-Loire on August 6, 1918.^[5] By November, 1918, there were 20,186 patients with a total of 38,765 wounded. Convalescing soldiers also spent time at this temporary hospital. As many as 140,000 Americans were stationed in the area in 1918. The hospital in Mesves-sur-Loire closed on January 20, 1919.^[5]

This site, close to the river Loire, was one of two large American Army hospitals during World War I (the other being in Mars-sur-Allier). It was selected because it was a safe distance from the battle lines in northeast France (Mesves-sur-Loire is about 200 km south of Paris); further, it is located on a major rail line to Paris, making it accessible.

When entering Bulcy, just 3 km to the east of Mesves, the street sign identifies the street name as rue du Camp-Américain. That is the only visible signage reminding one of the huge US Army hospital that served wounded service men during World War I. The field site of the hospital has since been restored, and are full of crops during the growing season.

• Communes of the Nièvre department