(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Lewis Army Museum: World War I (photo diary) [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-05-29 World War I begin in June 1914 with the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. According to the Museum: “World War I was meant to conclude swiftly, but the European arms race had created weapons and machines that changed forever the nature of war. The U.S. initially vowed to remain neutral—but German attacks on merchant vessels and attempts to form a secret alliance with Mexico ultimately led President Wilson’s declaration of war in 1917.” According to the Museum: “The Imperial Germany Army entered World War I well-trained and equipped, and experienced in colonial warfare. Unfortunately, the European soldiers of World War I were all trained and equipped in a similar manner—using strategies and tactics developed during the 19th century, while using the weapons and technology of the 20th. The result was a years-long stalemate of trench warfare with casualties and deaths more numerous than previously thought possible.” It has been estimated that as many as 22 million people died as a result of this war. While the United States had nearly 117,000 combat deaths, France had 1.4 million and the British Empire had 1.1 million. German Uniforms and Equipment According to the Museum: “Early in the war German Imperial forces were well-outfitted and sharply dressed. As the years wore on soldiers adjusted their uniforms and equipment to be adapt to the requirements of trench warfare. … By the time Americans arrived the German forces bore little resemblance to the Imperial Army of 1914.” A German uniform is shown above. Shown above are: a German Model 1898 Mauser Knife Bayonet; a German Luger P08 Semi-Automatic pistol; German Barbed Wire; a German Hand Fragmentation Grenade; a German Iron Crosses 1st and 2nd Class; Machine Gun MG08/15. According to the Museum: “Barbed wire played an important role in the misery of trench warfare during the First World War. It was used as a defensive measure by both sides during the war. Barbed wire was also used to channel and entrap enemy soldiers and make them easier to kill.” Another view of the machine gun. According to the Museum: “The machine gun is a prime example of how technology had advanced past strategy and tactics during the early 20th century. While soldiers manning machine guns could kill vast numbers, the offensive tactics of the European armies failed to adapt rapidly enough.” Shown above is a German Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle which was used by the Germans from 1898 until 1935. According to the Museum: “The controlled-feed bolt-action of the rifle is considered an important technological advance in the evolution of firearms. These remained excellent weapons but were expensive to manufacture, a definite drawback during World War I.” The Americans The United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, the first troops arrived in France in June, and the war ended in November 1918. For American soldiers the war only lasted for 17 months. According to the Museum: “After years of stalemate in the trenches of the Western Front, European armies were worn down and there were simply not enough soldiers to replace casualties. The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) was able to turn the tide of the war to the Allies’ advantage. Although the fighting was bitter and costly for the first groups of inexperienced American troops, they were fresher and better supplied than their German counterparts and it was only a matter of time before the AEF and its allies were able to overpower an exhausted Germany Army.” Shown above is the Army Model 1917 Enfield Rifle which was issued to infantrymen. Shown above is the U.S. Army Model 1917 trench knife which was modeled after the French trench knives of this era. Shown above is the Colt Model 1911 pistol which replaced the earlier revolvers as an officer’s sidearm. Another Colt Model 1911. Shown above is a gas mask. More World War I museum exhibits Air Force Museum: World War I airplanes (photo diary) Air Force Museum: World War I memorabilia (photo diary) Museum of Flight: World War I French, British, and American airplanes (photo diary) Museum of Flight: World War I Sopwith airplanes (photo diary) Veterans Memorial Museum: World War I (Photo Diary) Ohio History Center: World War I (photo diary) Ohio History Center: World War I posters (photo diary) Ohio History Center: World War I machine guns (photo diary) [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/5/29/2171727/-Lewis-Army-Museum-World-War-I-photo-diary Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/