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How WWI was fought
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How WWI was fought
" As it is for most of us" World War I was a slog, described by many as " 90% routine and 10% terror." Although soldiers lived with death every day, for the most part, major battles were few and far between, and sometimes it was the dread and anticipation of what was to come that was most psychologically damaging, especially for inexperienced new recruits. When an offensive did come, nobody could predict the ferocity or the outcome. Despite commanders hopes that attacks might take place in an orderly formation, most were a chaotic scrum of noise, smoke, screams and shell fire, as summed up by Bairnsfathers loose, vigorous penmanship. Date: 1916
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Media ID 7250163
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Anticipation Armies Bairnsfather Battles Boredom Bruce Chaos Fight Routine Terror Ww 1
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EDITORS COMMENTS
As it is for most of us, World War I was a complex tapestry of anticipation, fighting, and unrelenting routine. For soldiers on the front lines, death was an ever-present companion, yet major battles were infrequent and often unpredictable. The dread and anxiety leading up to an offensive were sometimes more psychologically damaging than the actual fight itself, particularly for inexperienced new recruits. In this poignant image from 1916, a British soldier named Bruce sits in the mud, a cigarette dangling from his mouth as he gazes off into the distance. The monotony of army life is palpable in the scene, with soldiers huddled around a fire, their expressions weary and resigned. Yet, the ominous clouds on the horizon serve as a stark reminder that the terror of war was never far away. This photograph, captured during the brutal stalemate of the First World War, encapsulates the paradoxical nature of the conflict. Soldiers lived with the constant threat of violence and death, yet much of their days were spent in the mundane routine of camp life. The chaos and ferocity of battle were a stark contrast to the quiet, almost idyllic moments of rest and respite. British war artist and cartoonist, Bruce Bairnsfather, skillfully captured the essence of this experience in his loose, vigorous penmanship. His work, which often depicted the absurdity and humor of army life, provided a much-needed respite for soldiers and civilians alike. This image, like so many of Bairnsfather's works, serves as a poignant reminder of the complex and often contradictory nature of the Great War.
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