Stereoscope images from the Western Front and elsewhere

Published on 30 April 2021

Having just published the initial batch of stereoscopic images on The Western Front Association's website, it is perhaps a good time to pick out just a handful of these to show the kind of images that are available.

There is no 'science' to the selection of the following images, it is merely a selection of some that have caught my eye as being of particular interest.

Many 'action shots' from the First World War are 'staged'. The image below seems not to be. It is captioned to reference Cambrai, and it is presumed this is from 1917. There is a signal flag in one of the small dugouts.

Another Image Shows A Destroyed Bridge Of The River Marne. Again, There Is No Date On This. — Many 'action shots' from the First World War are 'staged'. The image above seems not to be. It is captioned to reference Cambrai, and it is presumed this is from 1917. There is a signal flag in one of the small dugouts.

Destruction, Again, Is Very Evident On This Image, Captioned As Being At Abbeville. The Vehicle Seems To Be A Vauxhall Staff Car. — Another image shows a destroyed bridge of the River Marne. Again, there is no date on this.

One Of The 'Filters' Created To Enable Users To Search For Images Is 'Prisoners'. The Image Below Is One Of These. — Destruction, again, is very evident on this image, captioned as being at Abbeville. The vehicle seems to be a Vauxhall staff car.

Another Image Showing A Prisoner, Is The Excellent Image Below In Which A Map Is Evident. — One of the 'filters' created to enable users to search for images is 'Prisoners'. The image below is one of these.

A Final Example From The 'Prisoners' Selection Is This Unusual One It Is Presumed That 'PW' On The Back Of The Overcoats Of The American Officers Stands For 'Prisoners Of War'. — Another image showing a prisoner, is the excellent image below in which a map is evident.

These Images Were Not Just Taken In France And Belgium. The Photo Below Is Captioned As Having Been Taken At Alexandra Palace — A final example from the 'prisoners' selection is this unusual one - it is presumed that 'PW' on the back of the overcoats of the American officers stands for 'Prisoners of War'.

Alexandra Palace Also Features In This Image — These images were not just taken in France and Belgium. The photo below is captioned as having been taken at Alexandra Palace

Another Image Of Civilians Or Refugees, Is This It's An Example Of Those That Are 'Non' Western Front' Images — Alexandra Palace also features in this image -

Another Somewhat Unusual Use Of Tanks Was In Raising Money From The Public Via 'War Bonds'. The Image Below Being Taken In Trafalgar Square — Another image of civilians / refugees, is this - it's an example of those that are 'non'-Western front' images

Some Images Are Clearly Taken At The Start Of The War. The Caption Here Is Somewhat Questionable, 'Eager' Is Not The Word That Springs To Mind From This Group Of Men. — Another - somewhat unusual - use of tanks was in raising money from the public via 'war bonds'. The image below being taken in Trafalgar Square

The Dating Of These Images Is Really Tricky, But In This Instance, It Is Possible To 'Nail It Down' To Possibly A Few Days After The St George's Day Raid On Zeebrugge. — Some images are clearly taken at the start of the war. The caption here is somewhat questionable, 'eager' is not the word that springs to mind from this group of men.

Another Image Of Sir Douglas Haig Is Shown Below This Time Sometime After The Armistice. — The dating of these images is really tricky, but in this instance, it is possible to 'nail it down' to possibly a few days after the St George's Day Raid on Zeebrugge.

Returning To The Home Front, There Are A Series Of Images Showing Zeppelins. — Another image of Sir Douglas Haig is shown below - this time sometime after the Armistice.

Another Excellent Photo This Time Showing The Results Of A Zeppelin Raid Is Below. — Returning to the home front, there are a series of images showing Zeppelins.

An Interesting Image Which May Be Inaccurately Captioned Is The One Below. It Is Possible That This Is In Fact A Check Of The 'Zeroing' Of The Machine Guns Rather Than 'Target Practice'. — Another excellent photo - this time showing the results of a Zeppelin raid is above.

There Are Numerous Image Of Royal Naval Warships. This Image Being Of HMS Royal Oak, Which Was Of Course To Survive The First World War, But Not The Later Conflict. — An interesting image - which may be inaccurately captioned - is the one above. It is possible that this is in fact a check of the 'zeroing' of the machine guns rather than 'target practice'.

Finally, An Image Of A Canadian Unit To Show That There Are Plenty Of Images From Other Armies Besides The British. — Finally, an image of a Canadian unit to show that there are plenty of images from other armies besides the British.

To read more about the images that are available on the WFA's website click here for the announcement that was made: Stereoscope announcement

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