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World War I Military Activities

Photographs depict American and German military operations during World War I, showcasing artillery, transport, and soldiers in diverse settings.

Image caption: "Artillery horses at Camp de Souge, Bordeaux, Gironde, France, February 5, 1919. Photograph taken by W.W. Soper, S.c. The horses shown in the image are exceptionally well-trained."
Image caption: "Artillery horses at Camp de Souge, Bordeaux, Gironde, France, February 5, 1919. Photograph taken by W.W. Soper, S.c. The horses shown in the image are exceptionally well-trained."
444 assets in this story
6145-51448210
Gassed soldiers arrive at Field Hospital #3, Freissey, France on May 6, 1918. Pvt. Edw. R. Trabold from the S.C. is among them in this photograph by E HECD. The image was issued after censorship by M.I.B. Censor on June 28, 1918.
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Sergeant V.J. Palumbo operating a Caterpillar tractor at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. In the photograph, an 8" Howitzer is being hauled by the tractor. The image was taken on November 30, 1918, and passed through the M.I.D. censor on December 4, 1918. Government notes indicate that it was assigned the number 27775.
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Motor Truck Reception Park, where salvaged automobiles are stored. This particular photograph showcases automobile number 62,035. It was taken and described by the Signal Corps photographer and is documented with the symbol BU. The photograph is from the Motor Truck Reception Park collection during World War I.
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21st Grand Division Transportation Corps personnel at Camp Pullman, France. Photograph taken on July 29, 1918. The image shows a cab-box car with the number 50402, seen from a three-quarter view. The photographer was Sunser, a member of the Signal Corps. The description was recorded on July 15, 1919, with the symbol "E" representing the 21st Grand Division Transportation Corps at Camp Pullman. Additional notes can be found under C NOTES 3-000.
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Sgt. G. Ryden, S.C., captured this photograph on November 12, 1918, during World War I. The image shows a gun crew operating a Browning machine gun in Mayet, Sarthe, France. The soldiers belong to the 83rd Division, 2nd Depot. The photograph is part of the collection with the identification code 111-SC-26047.
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German guns of varied sizes captured by the 79th Division in Vacherauville, Meuse, France. This photograph was taken by M.Fox.S.C. on December 14, 1918. The guns were taken as war spoils by the American military during World War One.
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President Wilson delivering a Christmas address to soldiers of the American Expeditionary Forces at Langres, Hte. Marne, France on December 25, 1918. This photograph was taken by Sgt. Abbott, s.c. on February 5, 1919.
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This image depicts the village square of Bouresches during World War One. The village was captured in preparation for the Allied counter-offensive in July. The village is highly damaged, and shellfire has even killed the large tree that used to provide shelter in the square. The drawing was made on August 3rd.
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American military artists captured this image on March 14, 1919, in Mezy and the surrounding countryside. The drawing depicts the view from a hill east of Charteves, looking south. The road between Jaulgonne and Charteves is visible, along with the village of Charteves, the Mezy church, and scattered houses. The Mesy railroad station and the railroad embankment, which served as a line of defense, are also shown. The German 6th Grenadiers clashed with American forces in the nearby wheat field.
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Title: Military Ball Game at the Foot Hills of the French Alps during World War I Caption: Lt. Luthewitch, U.S.A., together with teams comprised of selected players from Aix-les-Baines and Shalles lesix, engaged in a friendly ball game. Most of the players were professionals from minor leagues in the United States. Batteries included Puller as pitcher and Butler as catcher from Shalles, while Sweeney pitched and Macarthy caught for Aix. Location: Aix-les-Baines, France. Image taken on August 27, 1918. Photograph by Sumber E. Reed. Released by A.E.P. Censor. Note: 321760.
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A motor truck route near Moselle is camouflaged using brown burlap draperies. The burlap is loosely stretched across the road in irregular patterns, resembling passing clouds being blown by the wind. This camouflage technique helps to conceal the route from enemy detection.
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"111-SC-3283A - Barlow Bomb Explosion at Aviation Experiment Station, Hampton, VA. The photograph captured the detonation of a Barlow bomb during a military experiment. The image was taken on September 19, 1918, by an unidentified photographer. The explosion was an important demonstration in aerial warfare techniques during World War I."
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Marine tractor pulling motor cars through the mud during April 1918. This photograph was taken by an engineer corps photographer on April 25, 1918. It is noted that the image is not to be published.
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Image shows the burial at sea of the 2nd mate from the American bark "Beluga" by the crew of the German ship "Wolf" during World War I. This photograph was obtained by the US Military Attaché in Copenhagen and was classified for official use only.
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111-SC-4366: A photograph taken in 1918 by Ninger depicts a radial drill press used during World War One. The image captures the machine in a military setting. The caption is incomplete, with the symbol "AU" and reference to "notes 4966." Further information can be found at www. (URL incomplete).
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This image shows a shrapnel gas shell from the Pyrotechnic Research by J.A. Richter, conducted by the Chemical Warfare Service Research Division during World War One. The shell contains a combination of black powder and chloropicrin. The photo was taken twelve seconds after the explosion.
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The image depicts a Liberty Motor Tractor, number 7467, being operated during World War One. This photograph was taken and released to the C. P. I. (Committee on Public Information) on December 17, 1917. The details in the laboratory notes suggest that this image was issued for publication.
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Lieutenant W.J. Cunningham riding Belle Beach, an English mare, in the Paris Peace Parade on July 14, 1919. He carried General Pershing's Colors and paraded before the King and Queen of Belgium and Sir Douglas Haig. Belle Beach returned to the United States in September 1919 with G.H.Q. Stables. In 1920, Lieutenant Cunningham rode her in Military Classes at the National Capital Horse Show, finishing second and third in different races. This photo was taken in 1920 by the Signal Corps.
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The photograph shows a military aircraft performing a looping maneuver during World War One. It was taken in December 1918 and is part of a collection highlighting errors in flying. The image is marked as not for publication and intended for official use only.
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Image: Lt. William Fox, Sig. R. C., with the 22nd Battalion of Engineers, is shown in a photograph taken on July 26, 1918, en route to France from Camp Merritt, N.J. The image captures the soldiers drawing clothing before their departure. The photograph was censored, released, and received with reference code S015643 on August 22 and 23, 1918.
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Two airplanes involved in a ground collision at Love Field in Dallas, Texas. The incident took place on December 6, 1918, with Cadets Haseltine and Dewey serving as pilots. This photograph, labeled 29034, was not intended for public release and was only to be used for official purposes.
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Two faces on forts in China; General View of the Forts; Interior View Of The West Fort. Above a face of the forts, under a face from the western fort.
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"American and German infantry fought in trenches and thickets for a week before the Germans yielded. This photograph, taken by Private Gibbon on November 22, 1918, depicts the battlefield between Le Cheve Tándu and Pont A L'AUNE, specifically the Bois de la Bois d'Apremont area, located 3 km west NW of Montblainville, Meuse, France."
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6 gas shells are seen on the left, suspended on poles 12 feet high. In the center, there are 6 75m/m shells, half buried underground. On the right, 6 75m/m shrapnel gas shells are suspended on poles of the same height. The photograph was taken 110 seconds after the explosion during pyrotechnic research conducted by J.A. Richter of the Chemical Warfare Service, Research Division. This image was received from the Chemical Warfare Service on July 12, 1918.
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Sergeant Morper is seen capturing a moment in Oct 1918, as Mess Sgt. Phillip E. Strange prepares food for the 80th Division Headquarters troops on an American Mobile Kitchen in Beaufal, France. The photograph passed inspection by the A.E.P. censor, although the date of clearance is not provided.
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Soldiers marching in formation at Washington Barracks, Washington, D.C. in 1919. This photograph, numbered 111-SC-211, was taken by photographer ECD in 1919. The description states that the picture was taken during "TAKEN ISSLED: C SYROL AU" at Washington Barracks, D.C. Some additional notes are also included under the number 211.
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A sailor onboard the U.S.S. George Washington signals from the observation bridge as the ship voyages to France during World War One. This photograph captures a moment during a Presidential Party's journey to the Peace Conference. Photo taken by Signal Corps Photographer Secto.
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Pvt. Berhens captures a photograph of a surprising tank that takes out an enemy machine gun nest. Illustrated by official American military artist Capt. H. Jownsend on February 10, 1919. The photograph was received on December 21, 1918. Issued with the notes number 57085.
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A Salmsom Sampson scout plane is seen being worked on by a mechanician after being forced to land due to a gas shortage and broken parts. The photograph was taken in Chambly, Meurthe et Moselle, France on March 1, 1919. This image is numbered 44246 in the collection.
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Private W.J. Miller of the 8th Cavalry is pictured on a side-van motorcycle belonging to the Army Motor Service of the Motor Transport Corps. The photograph was taken on November 22, 1918, at sunset. It was received on November 26, 1918, and approved by the Military Intelligence Division on November 30, 1918. M.I.D. Reference number is 9027295.
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This image shows Major General H.L. Rogers, Chief Q.M., A.E.F., riding his favorite horse named "Tony." The photograph was taken in Joue de Tours, France. The date of capture is unknown. The image was approved by the A.E.P. Censor.
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Caption: "Cpl. Klein of the American Military captures an image of one of three railway naval guns, commanded by Lt. Commander J.W. Bunkley, that are ready to assist the Franco-American advance on the Verdun front. The pictured gun is numbered as No. 4 and is attached to the 26th, 29th and 33rd American Divisions and the 26th French Division. This photograph was taken near Belle- ville, Meuse, France during World War I."
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Captain Wark, in charge of the bakery, is seen getting into a machine at Bakery Camp No. 322, near Dijon, France. The photograph was taken on December 2, 1918, and received on September 3, 1910. It was passed by the A.R.F. censor, with the issued note number 28085 US 15322.
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A pile of salvage containing clothing, shoes, and other items. This image shows one of the salvage dumps of the 77th Division during World War I. The dump is managed by Salvage Squad #1 of the Q.M.C. in Basu-St. Germain, France. The photo does not have a date but has been passed by the A.E.P. censor. There are no additional notes available.
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Water tower at Aytre, France, belonging to the 21st Grand Division Transportation Corps at Camp Pullman. This photo was taken on October 30, 1918, with the photographer record dated on July 15, 1919. The image is labeled with the symbol "E" and the description "Water tower, Aytre." The photo is officially issued for use totaling 457,935.
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The USS Oklahoma is pictured here in Quantanamo Bay, Porto Rico on February 24, 1919. The photograph, taken by Sergeant McGarri Cle, displays a view of the fleet.
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Italian soldiers at a military camp in the mountains during World War One. This photograph, numbered 21343 and taken in 1919, is part of a collection documenting American military activities during the war. The image was captured by photographer RECO and bears the symbol C. The accompanying notes mention RIBA 5604 and 10.195.
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Trench system in Fere en Tardenois, France. This photograph depicts a section of the trench network during World War I. The location is identified as Fere en Tardenois, France. The image showcases the challenging terrain and fortifications used by soldiers during this period of the war. The number 43898 is associated with this photograph.
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Private J. A. Schlick of the Signal Corps captured this photograph on April 30, 1918, at the cemetery in Chaumont, France. It depicts a solemn view of the corner of the cemetery where American soldiers who lost their lives are buried. This photograph was censored and released by the Military Intelligence Branch on June 14, 1918.
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Group portrait of Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany and its effect to Skårøya; Kaiser Wilhelm II auf Skaarö, Am Tage Nach der Waljagd ...
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American soldier searching for lice in German soldiers' clothing in the trenches during World War I. This photograph, labeled as 111-SC-16574, was taken on August 1, 1918, and received from M.I.B. SUBIECT PHOTOGRAPHER. It depicts an activity aimed at maintaining hygiene and preventing the spread of disease among troops.
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Soldiers from the 91st Division at Camp Lewis in American Lake, Washington, participating in a parade. The photograph was taken by photographer K. Ed. N. Jackson on December 27, 1917, during heavy rainfall. This image is part of the collection documenting American military activities during World War One.
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Soldiers of the 28th Division (National Guard) at Camp Hancock in Augusta, GA, participating in a gas mask practice session. The regiment is lined up with their gas masks adjusted. This photograph was taken on February 1st or 2nd, 1918 and released by the War Office Department to the Photo Division.
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Image depicting American military activities during World War I. The soldiers seen here are engaged in reconnaissance operations. The purpose of reconnaissance in this context was to gather information about the enemy's positions and movements. This image is part of a collection of photographs documenting American military actions during the war.