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Deserted trench during World War I, Flanders
Fendeuses-pouëze during World War I
Bleish AN during World War I
Effect of shellfire on a mine, Flanders
Kitchener-leete during World War I
Rifles in Lahti during World War I
British artillery in action, World War I
Забітыя фота during World War I
Effect of shell fire, Flanders during World War I
Effect of an incendiary shell during World War I
Summary
Fire-fighters enter a burning building after an incendiary bombing in France, during World War I. In the photograph a man stands silhouetted in the window of a burning building as he attempts to douse the flames with a hose. Two other men stand beneath the window feeding the hose to their colleague. Incendiary shells, packed with flammable chemicals which would spread fire when detonated, were among the most destructive weapons of World War I...It is not clear from this close-up photograph whether the men pictured are actually trained fire-fighters or merely desperate civilians using fire-fighting equipment. A longer shot of the same scene, also held by the National Library of Scotland, makes clearer the presence of other people determined to save their property.....[Original reads: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON THE BRITISH WESTERN FRONT IN FRANCE. The effects of an incendiary shell. Civilians saving their property near the line.']..digital.nls.uk/74549134 ( http://digital.nls.uk/74549134 )
World War I (WWI or WW1), also known as the First World War, or the Great War, was a global war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. World War I Images From National Library of Schotland. These photographs form part of the papers of Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928), held by the National Library of Scotland. More information is available from the Library's Digital Archive. Like many World War I generals, Haig remains a controversial figure. The collection contains diaries, papers and photographs from every part of Haig’s career, the Great War diaries being of special importance to historians. Photographs in the "Official Photographs" series (which were destined for publication and have captions on the back describing the image) are in black-and-white. World War I saw the development of a system of 'official’ reporting by professionals especially recruited into the forces. Initially reluctant to allow cameras near the fighting, it took some time for the authorities to appreciate the propaganda and recording potential of photography. These photographs provide us with an invaluable record of how the Government and Military wanted the war perceived. Official photographers were encouraged to record morale-boosting scenes of victory and comradeship. Despite the restrictions placed on them, official war photographers succeeded in giving the most comprehensive visual account of the war. It is important to remember that these images were propaganda; few that could depict the war in a disheartening or disconcerting way passed the censors. As a result the photograph taken was often posed. They were intended to reassure those at home and boost morale. They were printed in newspapers, and were intended to confirm that 'Tommy' was winning the war.
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