Extensive Archive of World War I American Troops, Trench Warfare, Artillery Weapons, and Battlefields Destruction

World War I Battlefields, Trench Warfare

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Extensive archive of 109 vintage original photographs from World War I battlefield and cities and towns in France Circa 1917-1919. Photographs each measure 5 x 3.5". The verso of some of the photographs are postcards as was usual at the time, but none were mailed with messages, although many have small contemporary pencil captions in English on the back of images describing the photograph such as "Bridge in Paris" "Shell holes" pt. "Saint Michelle". These were taken by an American soldier during his time fighting in France and Western Europe. Images show our soldier and his platoon, the ruins of bombed-out churches, houses and other buildings, heavy artillery, other officers and soldiers in various poses on the battlefield. This archive shows the war's devastation in the countryside with desolated field and forest, but also shows many towns with buildings in ruins. One image shows row upon row of cannon shells piled high with shipping containers visible in the background. Another image shows a soldier kneeling over a cannon shell, a cigarette in one hand, barren field spread out behind him. Though World War I saw the introduction of new military technologies including aircraft, machine guns and armored vehicles, artillery was still the primary weapon used. One image shows a large armored vehicle surrounded by cannons, set up behind a makeshift fence with a soldier standing guard while passerby in civilian dress gather to look on. Another image shows a soldier sitting cross-legged on the carriage of a large cannon, a small boy passing behind him, gaze fixed on the machine. More images show bombed-out churches from both outside and inside the ruins, rows of houses with roofs fully collapsed and exterior walls missing, and other buildings in various stages of destruction. One image shows an empty trench beneath a canopy of barbed wire, a common view from the battlefields that made up the western front. Following the war, the term "trench warfare" became emblematic of stalemate and attrition, a brutal symbol for futility in conflict. Another image shows a ceremony at a war torn cemetery. Yet several other photographs show artillery, cannons, and tanks in the middle of Paris' Place de la Concorde. Archive includes many images of soldiers and officers in a range of postures from formation to relaxation. Some images include locations details in pencil on versos. Toning to cards with some bending due to age. Minor chips and stains to the edges of some cards. Overall very good condition. Seller Inventory # 18473

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Title: Extensive Archive of World War I American ...