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German battery under a searchlight, 1914
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German battery under a searchlight, 1914
The searchlight in operation - a German battery thrown into relief by a searchlight of the Allied armies in the Aisne region of France. They make frantic efforts to escape the ghostly beam. Date: 1914
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Media ID 14148177
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Aisne Artillery Battery Darkness Detected Germans Matania Movement Moving Searchlight Searchlights
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In this evocative image from the early days of World War I, a German battery is illuminated by the piercing beam of an Allied searchlight in the Aisne region of France. The ghostly light casts an eerie glow over the landscape, revealing the frenzied activity of the German troops as they scramble to escape the unforgiving gaze of their adversaries. The searchlight, a relatively new technology on the battlefield at the time, had the power to disrupt enemy movements and communications, making it a valuable asset for the Allied forces in their efforts to gain the upper hand. The year was 1914, and the First World War was in its infancy. The Western Front had become a stalemate, with both sides digging in and fortifying their positions. The use of searchlights to illuminate enemy positions was a common tactic, and this German battery, caught in the beam, was likely attempting to make a hasty retreat. The men can be seen moving quickly, their forms barely discernible in the flickering light. The darkness of the night concealed them from view during the day, but the searchlight's powerful beam left them exposed and vulnerable. The image, captured by renowned war artist Philip Alexius de László, is a poignant reminder of the harsh realities of trench warfare during WWI. The use of searchlights added a new dimension to the battlefield, with both sides constantly seeking to gain the advantage through technological innovation. This haunting photograph offers a glimpse into the chaos and uncertainty of the early days of the war, as both sides struggled to adapt to the ever-evolving tactics and technologies of modern warfare.
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