Photos WW1 French & Allied Forces

[NebrHogger]

Today is the anniversary of the Verdun battle. What the Poilus endured during the endless shelling is incomprehensible. Many went mad. Many others wanted away so badly, they rationalized, "I could get by without my left hand," and raised it above their trench wall where a shell splinter carried it away.

To achieve his goal, Falkenhein used most of Germany's nitrates badly needed for crop production, thus forcing near famine upon his country post-war. He should well and truly have been hanged for it.

A Euro friend found a French RR medal for me and asked if I was interested in a French military medal from the same shop. "Sure!" sez I.

It's a Verdun medal, and I hope it wasn't awarded posthumously.

 

[Connaught Ranger]

Today is the anniversary of the Verdun battle. What the Poilus endured during the endless shelling is incomprehensible. Many went mad. Many others wanted away so badly, they rationalized, "I could get by without my left hand," and raised it above their trench wall where a shell splinter carried it away.

To achieve his goal, Falkenhein used most of Germany's nitrates badly needed for crop production, thus forcing near famine upon his country post-war. He should well and truly have been hanged for it.

A Euro friend found a French RR medal for me and asked if I was interested in a French military medal from the same shop. "Sure!" sez I.

It's a Verdun medal, and I hope it wasn't awarded posthumously.
View attachment 469184

View attachment 469185

The Verdun Medal was established on November 20, 1916 and issued to the soldiers and airmen who participated in the Battle for Verdun from February to November 1916. There were six variations of the Verdun Medal. These were unofficial awards as far as the nation of France was concerned. As such, they could not be 'legally' worn on the military uniform as part of parade-dress.
The ribbon ring in yours appears to be a modern "split" ring and this type of ring is not associated with any of the awards.

 

[NebrHogger]

The Verdun Medal was established on November 20, 1916 and issued to the soldiers and airmen who participated in the Battle for Verdun from February to November 1916. There were six variations of the Verdun Medal. These were unofficial awards as far as the nation of France was concerned. As such, they could not be 'legally' worn on the military uniform as part of parade-dress.
The ribbon ring in yours appears to be a modern "split" ring and this type of ring is not associated with any of the awards.

I did not know that.

 

[NebrHogger]

Poilu with experimental splinter shield ca. 1916. At first I thought it might be something fora tank crewman, but he very much appears to be infantry.

 

[NebrHogger]

French sailors making repairs on the armored cruiser, Admiral Aube - 1917

French cruiser Amiral Aube - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[BravoZulu]

Italy

 

[NebrHogger]

French Poilus near Verdun 1916. This sector was called "the devil's anvil".

 

[BravoZulu]

Firing a Mortier de 58 T N°1, 1915

 

[NebrHogger]

Firing a Mortier de 58 T N°1, 1915
View attachment 512867

I recall reading about this "spigot mortar" system and there were serious design flaws. Like it was more dangerous to whomever fired it than the enemy!

 

[BravoZulu]

French and British soldiers (58th Division) play cards at Bernagousse, near Barisis on the extreme of the newly extended British line, 16 March 1918

 

[TIGREDELAIRE]

* ..., the head of the Italian cycling team shows himself ready to win the next Tour de France, he's going to "sweep" his competitors (literally)

* And, as you can see, Pierre, the inventor, is going to test his idea...
* And why are we hiding here?
* And what if his idea doesn't work?

* Welcome to the Bernagouse Casino, do you have anything in your cards?
* Well, what can I say? I'm 21 and my friend Lee Enfield has my back...
* What a coincidence! I'm also 21 and I don't have any friends backing me!

 

[NebrHogger]

The Italian bicycle MG shown above was a real monstrosity. Large opening in the receiver was for a packet of clips like used in Carcano rifles. The catch was that they didn't interchange. Plus, when ejected, the clip was often damaged beyond further use. Add to all that, the reciprocating bolt was a real thumb buster, and care was needed in firing.

Fiat–Revelli Modello 1914 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[NebrHogger]

 

[NebrHogger]

Smoking not allowed in this detail!

 

[NebrHogger]

This image wasn't captioned, but I think I've seen it before shown as one of the forts around Verdun - Ft. Vaux, possibly.