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High Quality WW1 Photos - Allies


Gildwiller1918

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British troops near Thievpal, France. The soldier on the left sleeping has the action cover for the SMLE, an item that can be hard to find today, but not seen often in photo's. 

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Interesting photo's of French soldiers in decontamination gear, used to sanitize weapons and emplacements from the effects of chemical warfare. Most likely staged for morale, as I have not read anything about this being a common occurrence. Some of the gasses used would linger for quite some time in the trenches such as mustard gas, which would be in the soil and would be active for several weeks. 

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Another interesting photo, showing French officers and men, however what caught my eye was immediately behind the center figure, you can see French Lemon grenades strapped to sticks, perhaps an improvised stick grenade combination? Or used in some sort of launching system? I will see what else I can find....

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  • 2 weeks later...

Here is an image of US Marines in a parade in 1919, back in the US. Note the location of the USMC emblem on the helmet as well as painted insignia. I know we have had questions about this in the past. 

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French sniper team, the shooter has a periscope on the rear of the rifle, his spotter next to him has a longer one. Periscope type rifles were used by both sides during the conflict, although not very widespread. 

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Here is an interesting device, a multiple grenade launcher. This assembly uses 4 Lebel rifle assemblies linked together to create a portable battery that could be fired at once. The grenade used was the Mle. 1916 DR grenade, which was a rifle grenade, and came into service towards the end of 1916. The grenade itself had issues with the percussion fuse, which could cause premature detonation or undesired results upon impact, and was not popular with the rank and file, which is why I suspect they were used more in the battery role instead. 

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A French sentry on watch, note the armor shields, similar to the German versions. At least 3 F1 grenades are visible on the top shelf to his right. 

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Here is another interesting photo, not overly clear, but showing a group of soldiers, I assume they are Belgian as one is wearing an Adrian helmet with the Belgian symbol on it, as well as equipment used by the Belgian forces, which was a mixture of French, British and US made items. The soldier on the left is handling a German rifle mounted to a bipod or monopod for launching rifle grenades. There is also a Grenade in the barrel of the rifle. The grenade is cylindrical, possibly a flare or message container. I have yet to identify this grenade. I do love a good mystery. If anyone has information, please feel free to respond. 

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Tsarewitsch Nikolai Aleksandrowitsch in the uniform of the Chevalier-Garde-Regiment. Photo before 1894

Chevalier Guard Regiment - Wikipedia

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Ist möglicherweise ein Bild von 1 Person

From the Entourage of the Imperial Court, Leibkosake

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Members of the 52nd Division displaying captured MG08/15's and MG08's as well as a few other items, September 1918. 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Canadian Royal Highlander cleaning his rifle, 1916.

Source, Canadian Archives

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Canadian mobile armory at Vimy Ridge, 1917. Note the Lewis guns and armorer's tool boxes, today when these boxes come up for sale, they are almost always empty.

Source, Canadian Archives.

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Rare image of the German Mp-18 being examined by Canadian Soldiers in August of 1918, France. 

Source, Canadian Archives

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Sniper of the Kings Own Regiment, 1916 in Salonika. 

Image source, internet

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US soldiers undergoing sniper training. Note the partial ghillie suit opposite the man with the cane. Not sure how effective this camouflage was on the western front in the trenches, but a good step forward to future conflicts.

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  • 2 weeks later...

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R.N.A.S. Royal Naval Air Service Lanchester armoured car

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British worker at Mills Bombs factory, 1916.

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Although not clear or crisp, a rare image of US soldiers getting issues boots. Pictures of supply and issue of equipment are not easy to find. 

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Image of children playing with a US Browning machine gun, which entered service late in the war. Stateside shows and public displays were vital in war bond drives. Note the crate the child is sitting on, a US ration crate marked "Hunt Brothers" dated 1918. Second image is of a French FT-17 tank for the war bond effort as well.

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A nice full cart load of German Helmets going to the USA as souvenirs. The helmet, bayonet, Iron Cross and belt buckle were perhaps the most sought after items. I would love to be able to dig through a pile like that!

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  • 5 weeks later...

Here is an interesting photo, not very clear, however it shows 2 French soldiers examining grenades, most likely the Citron modèle 1916. behind them towards the top appears to be a cache of Pétard de destruction pour barbelés, or Barbele grenades. Photos of theses are very rare. 

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Period image of 2 US soldiers applied the fuses to the French OF1 grenades, note the packing crate in which the grenade came in. Corrugated cardboard dividers and used for padding. These grenades were shipped with transit plugs and fuses were inserted when ready for use. Images of grenade crates and packing methods are not easy to find. 

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They could have been pealing potatoes!

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Lol, Indeed they could have been, however not likely with the Battalion Sergeant Major on the right. 

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