← Military & Defence

World War I Ceremonies and Trench Life

Historical images from WWI, featuring ceremonies for aviators, soldiers in front line trenches, and personal moments of military personnel in France.

Members of the 132nd Infantry, 32nd Div., standing in a front line trench during World War One. They are on high alert, anticipating an imminent attack. The trench overlooks the Meuse Valley, where approximately 70,000 men are believed to be buried. Taken in Alexandre, Meuse, Prince.
Members of the 132nd Infantry, 32nd Div., standing in a front line trench during World War One. They are on high alert, anticipating an imminent attack. The trench overlooks the Meuse Valley, where approximately 70,000 men are believed to be buried. Taken in Alexandre, Meuse, Prince.
431 assets in this story
Photograph shows a deserted town in the North Toul Sector during World War I. The town was bombarded and deserted by its civil population. The image is an official war drawing by Capt. Ernest Peixotto, an American military artist.American soldiers taking a break while traveling to Rolampont during World War I. This photograph was taken by photographer Reco on February 20, 1918. It was issued by the American Expeditionary Forces and released by Laboratory Notes on February 29, 1918. The soldiers can be seen resting during their journey.Collection of World War I Photographs, 1914-1918 that depict the military activities of British and other nation's armed forces and personnel during World War I.Italian soldiers climbing mountains during World War One. Photo taken in 1919.American soldiers stationed in Panama engage in alligator hunting as a leisure activity. In the photograph, soldiers can be seen roping a large alligator that they captured after shooting it. The image is dated May 21, 1920, and was taken by Underwood and Underwood, courtesy of SUNSER 69,135 Bt. The image itself is labeled "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY."View of Annapolis and two faces on a baseball game (presumably) of cadets of the United States Naval Academy, Edward H. Hart, c. 1885 - in or before 1890 photograph United States Naval AcademyNew York (city) paper collotype baseball. city-view in general; 'veduta' United States Naval Academy. AnnapolisSgt. Ray R. Tyrell of the 8th Calvary is captured in this photograph titled "H. Luebert after changing hands from two bars to one and just about to release his hold." The image shows Tyrell holding onto two bars, which he then changes to only one before releasing his grip. This photo was taken on April 13, 1919.A platoon from the 2nd Engineer Battalion, 329th Infantry is shown in this image during an attack in Le Mans, Sarthe, France. The photograph was taken on October 5, 1918, and received on November 12, 1918. It was released by the A.E.P. Censor on November 15, 1918.Vocational Training Corps linemen from the University of Utah are seen at work in Salt Lake City. This photograph, taken in January 1919, was issued with the description "Vocational Training Corps linemen at work" and the assigned number AU."On July 27, 1918, an air crash occurred near Le Charnel, France, resulting in the French plane being brought down within German lines. The wreckage, seen in this photograph taken by Pvt. J. E. Gibbon, S.C., shows the plane standing on its nose. U.S. troops discovered the crash site after the capture of Le Charnel."A soldier stands in front of one of the nineteen secret entrances and exits at Bellicourt, Aisne, France. These tunnels were hewn through solid rock for several miles by the American military during World War One. Image captured on October 15, 1918. (111-SC-28228, Lt. E.0. Harre, Dec. 2, 1918)Sgt. Simon Warolin at the G.C. at dawn in Badonviller. The image was taken on June 10, 1918, and drawn by Capt. Morgan. This photo is Not for publication and is intended for official use only. Note that it is the same as photo number 33281.Private Campbell captured an image of a narrow gauge railroad and switch railhead that ended in the woods between Chalons and Heudicourt in Meuse, France. The photograph was taken on November 1, 1918. The exact issuing and censor dates were not provided.Capt. Wallace Morgan, an official American military artist, sketched this image called "BOMB PROOF BILLETS AND CHOW" at Neufmaison, France during World War One. The image depicts soldiers taking cover in their barracks while enjoying a meal. This photograph captures the conditions and reality faced by the military during the war.Pontoon bridge over Rappahannock, at Fredericksburg, May 20, 64. Photographic incidents of the war. No. 715.. 1861 - 1871. Photographs, Stereographs. Manuscripts and Archives Division. United States , History , Civil War, 1861-1865, Rappahannock River (Va.), Pontoon bridges , United States , 1860-1869This image depicts field artillery of the United States in action during World War One. The photograph was taken by photographer RECO and is catalogued under the number 111-SC-3210. The artillery is seen firing, demonstrating the military activities of the American forces during the war.Collection of World War I Photographs, 1914-1918 that depict the military activities of British and other nation's armed forces and personnel during World War I.Sgt. Morris Finsberg at G Charny, Northwest of Verdun, where the 79th Division had a regulating station, gas defense, and supplies. The photo was taken on January 7, 1919, and received on November 21, 1918. It was passed by the A.E.F. censor, and the location is Crepion, Meuse, France."This photograph shows Lt. H.P. Kingsmore and Sig. R.C. Propter during training at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, in May 1918. The image captures aviation cadets practicing solo flights in advanced planes at the field. The photograph was censored and released on May 20, 1918, by the Historical Branch of the War Plans Division. Reference number: 111-SC-9576."Concrete floors being installed for huts at an American hospital under construction in Nantes, France during April 1918. This photograph is from the collection of American Military Activities during World War One. Image ID: 111-SC-10168. Not intended for publication. Photographer notes issued by Sumber Seco on May 9, 1918.Soldiers Gathering Water. Original caption: The soldiers are gathering water for their camp at Watson Lake junction beside this typical army built culvert. Taken by Gail K. Pinkstaff. State: Alaska.Lookouts - General. Photographs Relating to National Forests, Resource Management Practices, Personnel, and Cultural and Economic HistoryDescription: American soldier carefully collects a German trap bomb during World War One. The photograph was taken by photographer Red in 1919. The bomb is marked with the number 1024 and was identified as a potential threat to troops.Remains of a crashed zeppelin in Compiègne, Anonymous, c. 1917 stereograph Compiègne cardboard. photographic support albumen print deposits of combustionStudent officers in training at Rockwell Aviation Field in San Diego, California. The cadet aviators can be seen drilling in squadron flight. This photo was taken at Rockwell Field on May 27, 1918 by Lt.E. N. Jackson, Sig. R.C. Not intended for publication and issued for official use only.th Infantry Division participating in trench warfare during World War I. Soldiers are seen digging trenches and handling various equipment. The date of the photograph is unclear.Men practice using dummy guns made of wood in Camp Servis, American Sale, Washington during World War I. The photo was taken on December 27, 1917, and shows the supply train of the camp out for a practice drill. The photograph is part of the collection of American military activities during the war.Smokejumpers: In Action - Washington. Photographs Relating to National Forests, Resource Management Practices, Personnel, and Cultural and Economic HistoryCollection of World War I Photographs, 1914-1918 that depict the military activities of British and other nation's armed forces and personnel during World War I.Camping at base of Mount Doonerak. Alaska Task Force PhotographsIliuk Arm. Alaska Task Force Photographs