British soldiers synchronising their watches on the front line, First World War, 1914-1918, 

Russian Howitzer at practice fire, First World War, 1914

In 1915 Edgar Brandt designed a portable pneumatic 60 mm howitzer, which he presented to the military authorities. Satisfied, the staff requested 500 pieces for the front where they were appreciated on the ground. Although called “howitzer”, this weapon was muzzle-loaded, like a mortar. Type A – Model 1915 was 1.30 m long, its advantage was its pneumatic propulsion mode, without detonation or smoke, capable of firing a shell the size of a large grenade up to 400 m about,. This concept allowed the implementation of lightened ammunition requiring neither casing nor supply of propellant charges. The improved Type B - Model 1916, measured only one meter and weighed 17 kilos instead of 22 kilos of the Model 1915, a pressure of 20 kg allowed it to reach a maximum firing range of 585 m. Following these improvements, the staff ordered 3,000 pieces to equip its combat units.-(http://www.musee-chevau.org/produits/obusier-de-tranchee-pneumatique-brandt-de-60mm-1ere-partie-645).

British infantry in a wood, First World War, 1914-1918,

A satirical post by Ricardo Flores “the Red Laugh” showing the horrors of war.

A cartoon by Sapper E.G. Eschini showing how terribly hard biscuits could be compared to bricks.

theworldatwar: British troops breakthrough the formidable Hindenburg Line and bring supplies across the dried up Canal du Nord - 27th Sept 1918

captain-price-unofficially: Colorized photo of the Finnish volunteers of the 27th Jäger Battalion in Latvia, 1916/1917. The 27th Jäger Battalion was a light infantry unit in the German Army from 1915–1918.

poor-bloody-infantry:

2nd Lt. Cyril Asquith, son of the British Prime Minister, exercises with the Queen’s Westminsters on Hampstead Heath. 

poor-bloody-infantry:

© IWM (Q 78010) French Artillery-men loading their 90 mm cannon, Bouchoir, Somme. Interestingly, I guess those boards would make it easier to push back into place after the recoil. 

poor-bloody-infantry:

© IWM (Q 26595) Tommy mounted on a donkey outside an Italian house. Note the sheepskin coat worn over his uniform.

poor-bloody-infantry:

ism.gov.au/EZ0011 Troopers of the 2nd Australian Division queue in a trench with their mess tins as they wait to be served with hot tea. The soldier on the left is doling out tea from a large steaming pot.

poor-bloody-infantry:

Postcard from Tom of the York and Lancaster Regiment. Tom says on the back, “…Dear Aunt & Uncle, …How do you like the bed cot, can you find your photo on it? I come to Sheffield on duty on Sunday so I may pop down for a couple of hours.”

poor-bloody-infantry:

Private James Smith of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

poor-bloody-infantry:

Northumberland Fusiliers ready for anything. Look at the Sergeant on the right. He’s wearing an unusual brace attachment for his 1908 webbing. How tall do you think he was? I also like the “Gor Blimey” hat on the gentleman second from left. 

poor-bloody-infantry:

Royal Naval Division, Howe Battalion…

poor-bloody-infantry:

King George Ward of a British hospital.

poor-bloody-infantry:

Fitter Staff/Sgt David Boyd Reid,103238 H.Q. 15th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery Died of Wounds 3 Oct 1918 buried Les Baraques, Sangatte, a very senior noncom, fitter would be a mechanic. Befitting a senior non-commisioned officer, his uniform is a tad personalized with cuffs on his trousers and cane.