#WW1 History

[stillnaomi]

during WW1, the British government was so scared of socialism that it decided to build 500,000 spacious and good quality homes for the higher strata of blue collar workers, in order to avert any chance of revolution. this would give jobs to many of the demobilised troops and would stop a large section of the proletariat agitating about their living conditions. previously, the government had steadfastly refused to interfere in the freedom of the housing market, despite large sections of the population living in slum housing

as Major Astor of the Local Government Board told parliament during a debate on the scheme:

“When we talk of expense and cost let us realise that everything is comparative, and let us measure the cost of our housing proposals by the cost of Bolshevism to the country and the cost of revolution. The money we propose to spend on housing is an insurance against Bolshevism and revolution. What is the cost to the country of industrial unrest and strikes? You have only to realise the conditions under which many men and women live to realise that unrest is fully justified.”

believe it or not, revolution was seen as a serious threat. this is how the minutes record the PM, David Lloyd George, speaking in a Cabinet meeting on March 3rd 1919:

“In Europe we were now faced with very serious conditions. Russia had gone almost completely over to Bolshevism, and we had consoled ourselves with the thought that they were only a half-civilised race; but now even in Germany, whose people were without exception the best educated in Europe, prospects are very black.

“Bavaria was already in chaos, and the same fate might await Prussia. Spain seemed to be on the edge of upheaval. In a short time we might have three-quarters of Europe converted to Bolshevism. None would be left but France and Great Britain.

“He believed that Great Britain would hold out, but only if the people were given a sense of confidence—only if they were made to believe that things were being done for them. We had promised them reforms time and again, but little had been done. We must give them the conviction this time that we meant it, and we must give them that conviction quickly.”

this is what communists mean when we say that the capitalist state only gives out concessions when its power is under threat

read more about the Homes Fit for Heroes initiative and its politics

[cirr0stratus]

Siegfried Sassoon, counter attack

[blackisdivine]

Black History Month

A member of the Harlem Hellfighters (369th Infantry Regiment) poses for the camera while holding a puppy he saved during World War 1, 1918.

The Harlem Hellfighters was a regiment made up of decorated Black soldiers who fought as part of the French army because the U.S. did not allow Black soldiers to fight alongside white soldiers. The French accepted the Harlem Hellfighters with open arms and did not racially segregate them.

During World War 1, they fought on the front lines for 191 days, longer than any other American unit. And as a result, suffered the most casualties of any American regiment—losing approximately 1,500 men. Despite the heavy death toll and the poor replacement system, the Harlem Hellfighters never lost a trench or a foot of ground to the enemy; none of them became prisoners of war. Not only were they one of the most successful regiments of World War 1, but they also helped bring Jazz to France.

Upon returning home, the Harlem Hellfighters received a welcome parade in New York City; a privilege that was denied to them before they had left for war. However, the celebrations were short lived as the summer of 1919 became known as the Red Summer, in which the country saw some of the worst racial violence since the Civil War.

The Harlem Hellfighters who dreamed of returning home to a place that would finally treat them with respect and as equal human beings, quickly realized that nothing had changed at all.

[theworldofwars]

Highland Dance by men of the 8/10th (Service) Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders outside Arras Cathedral, 24 January 1918.

[pepsiloverswarehouse]

attack of the dead

[fuwbuki]

The sun and son of Arabia

Watched "Lawrence of Arabia" for the first time and i had to make something. I had a vision but dont know if i executed it correctly

[theworldatwar]

Runners from the British 79th Infantry Division’s 315th Regiment spread the word to cease firing at 11 a.m. on the last day of WWI. From left are Pvt William Wachter, Pvt RD Thompson, Pvt JJ Mulcahy and Pvt John McCaughtry - 11th Nov 1918. CREDIT : National WWI Museum and Memorial

[cid5]

Two German Soldiers NCOs tooled up and ready to go, probably on a trench raid against the French or British, Western Front, c.1916.

[whereshadowslive]

I'm still sitting here and you are still lying there, and there are so many things we should say to each other, but we shall never be able to.

— Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front

[dronescapesvideos]

The Red Baron, WWI. Soldiers examine what remains of Manfred von Richthofen's aircraft after he was shot down, and killed over Vaux-sur-Somme, France, just days before his 26th birthday, but by then already an aviation legend.

➤➤ HIGHER RESOLUTION IMAGE: https://dronescapes.video/RedBaron

[nerdyhistoryenjoyer]

[cirr0stratus]

fraternity

[ripstefano]

The German Army 1914-18

The Imperial German Army from 1914 to 1918 was the military force of the German Empire during World War I, under the command of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Known for its discipline, efficiency, and advanced tactics, the army initially saw significant success on the Western Front through the Schlieffen Plan, aiming to swiftly defeat France before turning eastward to face Russia. However, the plan faltered, leading to a prolonged and brutal trench warfare stalemate. German forces were innovative, employing new technologies such as poison gas and stormtrooper tactics to break enemy lines. Yet, despite these advances, the German Army struggled with resource shortages, mounting casualties, and the relentless Allied offensives. By 1918, internal dissent, exhaustion, and the effective Allied counterattacks ultimately forced Germany into retreat, leading to its eventual surrender and the end of the war.

From The German Army 1914-18

[theworldofwars]

A British padre saying a prayer over a dying German, near Epehy - France, 18th September 1918.

[corpseflwr]

[theletterjacob]

“I am young, I am twenty years old; yet I know nothing of life but despair, death, fear, and fatuous superficiality cast over an abyss of sorrow.” ― Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front