High Quality WW1 Photos - Allies

[Gildwiller1918]

Nice photo showing US troops practicing with the 37mm which was modified from the French Canon d'Infanterie de 37 modèle 1916 TRP (37mm mle.1916). The 37mm gun was used by all sides, and had standard shrapnel rounds as well as armor piercing types. In the last photo you can see the wooden munitions crate that the rounds came it, they were secured inside by a cloth bandolier strip. 

 

 

 

 

[Gildwiller1918]

Interesting photo showing allied troops moving a "dummy" tank. Most associate this type of work with WW2 and operation fortitude, however a lot of deception and misdirection was used in WW1 as well.

[Gildwiller1918]

Italian soldiers in Salonika, Greece. After the Gallipoli campaign in 1915, the Commonwealth forces arrived in Salonika to bolster Greece and put pressure on the central powers, as well to prevent Bulgaria from joining them. Due to lack of success anywhere else, the allies thought this area would be a welcome change. The region itself was a collection of nation states that both sides were competing with to lure to their cause. Some went to the allies, others to the central powers. Gradually the allied force was built up, however they suffered many casualties from disease and heat related illnesses. Allied troops came from Russia, France and colonial troops, Italy, Serbia, Britain and Commonwealth regions, as well as Greece, at the most they numbered 600,000. For most of the time the allies were there, not much was achieved, however in September of 1918, the allies forced Bulgaria out of war. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Image of an Irish Guards Machine gun detachment in 1914, the original photo stated all had died during the war. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Detailed photo of a French Corporal, as he has two chevrons on his sleeve to indicate the rank. He is wearing the Horizon Blue uniform, which came out in late 1914, however this uniform was not worn by the military fully until 1916. He is wearing the M15 great coat with collar tabs unfortunately I can't make out exactly what they are. Under the coat he would have been wearing the M14 or M15 tunic and the matching trousers. You can see his puttes and ankle boots. He is equipped with the Model 07/15 Berthier Rifle and magazine pouches. On his hip you can see a gask mask can and canteen to the right of that. On his back he is carrying the M1893 pack with a blanket and assorted mess gear. Overall a good representation of the french soldier and kit. 

[Fritz]

On previous photo, it looks as though they have the MG08 and not the British Vickers version. They could be from the Irish Guards - see officer's uniform and the star shaped cap badges, also the unclear shoulder titles could be a further indication. Also the style of wear of puttees on the man to the far right is a style reminiscent of the Guards.

[Gildwiller1918]

Yes Fritz, I do believe it should have stated Irish Guards detachment (now corrected). The MG08 was also a very popular weapon exported, especially after the Russian-Japenese war of 04/05, countries were ordering them up. The Irish defense forces had quite a few MG08's at the start of the war. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Nice image of US Army enlisted medical personnel. Note the medical pouch belts, and the larger sized drop pouch on the hip. These were used for the diagnostic tags. On the chest is the US version of the British SBR gas mask. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Interesting image showing Canadian troops with caltrop boards. These boards were fitted with these steel or iron devices designed to penetrate boot soles or horse hooves. I have been seeing a few of these for sale lately, someone must have found an old cache.  

[Gildwiller1918]

American acoustic detection system used to locate enemy aircraft. The elongated horns were connected to a headset that the operator could listen to, and direct the direction of the platform to continue monitoring. No word on how effective this device was. 

[Gildwiller1918]

US soldier on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The US forces used over 20,000 Harleys and Indian motorcycles during the war. 

[Gildwiller1918]

US troops advancing in the Argonne region in late 1918, they are using French FT-17 light tanks. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Irish Guard members performing gas mask drills in 1916, Somme region.

[Gildwiller1918]

Members of the Australian 69 Squadron preparing incendiary bombs to load on a R.E 8 aircraft, this unit was located at Savy near Arras in 1917. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Nice image of US Marine, outfitted for service in France. He is wearing the forest green colored uniform, which differed from the drab army colored ones. The tunic is the Pattern 1912, which only had pockets on the breast, not on the lower part by the hip. Another way to tell the difference between the USMC and Army versions is to look at the chevrons. In 1917 the US army decided to go from a chevron on each sleeve to only one worn on the wearer's right sleeve. The USMC versions continued to wear chevrons on both sleeves. He also has the standard M1910 web ammunition belt, but with the larger sized first aid pouch, another unique USMC item. You can see the French M2 gas mask located next to the M1903 rifle. The helmet is plain without any insignia or emblems. The Marines also used US Army uniforms to ease logistics, but with USMC items added, this is not uncommon to see in pictures and in surviving tunics today. 

[Fritz]

On 01/05/2020 at 19:21, Gildwiller1918 said:

Yes Fritz, I do believe it should have stated Irish Guards detachment (now corrected). The MG08 was also a very popular weapon exported, especially after the Russian-Japenese war of 04/05, countries were ordering them up. The Irish defense forces had quite a few MG08's at the start of the war. 

There were no Irish defence forces before 1922, when the "Irish Free State" was created. There were only Irish regiments within the British Army, Ireland was previously no more than a province within the British Empire.

[Gildwiller1918]

Yes Fritz you are correct, I used defense forces as a generalization of troops stationed on their home soil. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Russian Soldiers armed with Arisaka Rifles, type 3. This rifle was introduced in 1905 for the Imperial Japanese Army as a replacement for the type 30 which had some shortcomings in the Russian-Japanese war. It was a reliable enough weapon that was used by over 16 countries, and was used by Japan until 1945. Russia had over 760,000 of these rifles for their forces during the war. Note the rectangular containers, these are the M1915 Zelensky type gas masks.

[Gildwiller1918]

Nice image of a French heavy weapons unit, shown are 2 M1914 Hotchkiss heavy machine guns and the M16 37mm canon. 

[Fritz]

The Russians look like they are from an elite regiment, the have a crowned cypher/monogram on the shoulder straps, which was always printed and not embroidered. The gymnjastiorka blouses also have breast pockets, which was not a common feature on these uniforms. The boots never had any protective nails and were often worn out after a few days march, and had to be constantly repaired.

[Gildwiller1918]

Quite possible Fritz, in regards to the Russian Army and equipment, I am not very knowledgeable. There is hardly anything left to collect from the war, with understandable reasons. I did find out that cavalry and horse drawn artillery units did wear the shirts with pockets on the breast, I have also seen a white summer version with the same set up. I think these may be pre-war or early war. I think these were omitted to conserve material and speed up production. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Here are some Annamite Soldiers, which were French colonial troops from what today is Vietnam. Like all colonial powers of the day, the French called up vast numbers to support the war effort, with nearly 100,000 serving in France. 

[Gildwiller1918]

The 1st battalion of the 4th Gurkha Rifles lined up for kit inspection, in Flanders, Belgium, 1915. 

[Gildwiller1918]

French Colonial troops from Algeria board trains to head to the Western Front. Over 450,000 North African soldiers served France during the conflict. 

[Gildwiller1918]

England's King George V, who made several visits to the Western Front during the war, at Butte de Warlencourt, France, located midway between Arras and Amiens.