View of captured German lines, Flanders

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View of captured German lines, Flanders

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According to the photograph's original caption this image shows the captured German lines at Messines Ridge, Belgium. There is little form or structure to indicate a trench system here. It is very difficult from the photograph to see anything other than a hillside of churned-up earth. The ground is strewn with blasted trees and the remains of duckboards or wooden trench supports. On the left are the entrances to two dugouts. One man stands in the foreground and a few soldiers are visible against the skyline...The British success at Messines Ridge was largely down to the use of mines. Months of preparation went into this offensive, with men digging tunnels across several kilometres to plant mines under the German lines. The explosions were severe - the British effectively blew up the entire Ridge. This image clearly shows the devastating effects this attack had on the German trenches and the Ridge...[Original reads: 'GREAT BATTLE OF MESSINES RIDGE. - View of old German lines.']..digital.nls.uk/74546832 ( http://digital.nls.uk/74546832 )

Stereographs are devices capable of building a three-dimensional​ image out of two photographs that have about two and a half inches difference between them so that it could imitate the two eyes’ real field of view. Combining these images into a single one with the help of stereoscope, a person can experience the illusion of the image’s depth. Stereoscope uses the same principle as in human binocular vision. Our eyes are separated by about two inches, so we see everything from two different angles. When the brain combined those views in a single picture, we get the spatial depth and dimension. Stereographs were extremely popular between 1850 and 1930 all around the world. Millions of stereographs were made during that time. There was a broad range of themes: landscape, travel, historical moments, nature disasters, architecture and many others. Nowadays, simply launch this collection full screen and put your mobile device in Google Cardboard Viewer.

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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Date

1914
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National Library of Scotland
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