World War I in postcards from the front
Postcards of the fighting were available to send home as keepsakes. Caption on front of image that reads: "Renault Tanks Going into Line Near Andigincourt (Aisne).” Line of Renault tanks driving down a road. French soldiers visible on back of tanks and walking. One soldier on a motorcycle.
The image is from a packet of 40 souvenir photographs entitled "Souvenir de la Grande Guerre 1914-1918." Images published in Paris with permission of the Cinematographic and Photographic section of the French army.
Church at Ablain St. Nazaire
Black and white photograph with caption on front of image that reads: "Ruins of Church at Ablain St. Nazaire (P de C)." German troops captured the village in 1914 and the 16th century church was destroyed in the fighting as French troops tried to retake the town over the years that followed.
The image is from a packet of 40 souvenir photographs entitled ”Souvenir de la Grande Guerre 1914-1918”. Images published in Paris with permission of the Cinematographic and Photographic section of the French army.
The collection was donated to the museum by James Harold Besinger, Ship’s Cook, First Class, USS America, US Navy. Originally from Stanberry, Missouri.
Wounded French troops
"French Wounded Awaiting Evacuation at Fort de Tavanne." Five unidentified soldiers (2 wounded) awaiting evacuation. Wounded are bandaged and have tags hanging on their front.
The image is from a packet of 40 souvenir photographs entitled "Souvenir de la Grande Guerre 1914-1918.”
Nieuport 'Chasse' plane
"Machine Gun on Nieuport 'Chasse' Plane."
The image is from a packet of 40 souvenir photographs entitled "Souvenir de la Grande Guerre 1914-1918."
Later models of the plane were equipped with Le Prieur rockets to attack observation balloons and airships.
Caudron plane
"French 'Caudron' Plane.” Two French soldiers in plane.
The image is from a packet of 40 souvenir photographs entitled "Souvenir de la Grande Guerre 1914-1918.”
Marne
"French Grenadiers (Marne)." French soldiers in a trench.
The image is from a packet of 40 souvenir photographs entitled "Souvenir de la Grande Guerre 1914-1918."
Somme
"Boche Soldiers Near Roye (Oise)." Human remains of German soldiers laying on the ground.
The image is from a packet of 40 souvenir photographs entitled "Souvenir de la Grande Guerre 1914-1918."
Four de Paris, Argonne
"Trench Scene at Bataglan 'Four de Paris'." The trench in the denuded Argonne Forest French shows soldiers in a trench that is covered with a wooden walking surface. Men can be seen peering out of dugouts along the left wall of the trench.
The image is from a packet of 40 souvenir photographs entitled "Souvenir de la Grande Guerre 1914-1918."
Captured tank
Two US soldiers in front of German A7V Tank. Caption is written below the tank and reads, "Captured German tank, Rheims, France 1914-1918."
From the service of PFC Raymond E. Sweigart, Company L, 335th Infantry Regiment, 84th Division, AEF, later transferred to the 7th Division.
Battle of the Marne
A commercial photograph of a pile of human skeletal remains. Caption on front of image: "After the Marne fighting (1914-1916)."