20 Photos and Facts From World War I
Published: 23 July 2025
By Patrick Nichols
via The Scroller website
WWI
These aren't just old pictures; they capture raw emotion, moments of quiet strength, and scenes that speak volumes about the human cost of war. Whether it's a soldier's worn expression or a glimpse of life on the home front, each photo brings history into sharper focus, reminding us of the enduring impact of a conflict that shaped the modern age. Here are 20 photos and facts from World War I.
1. It was a war fought in the mud
eaglemaxie/via reddit.com
Much of the fighting on the Western Front was defined by trench warfare, a brutal, stagnant style of combat where soldiers lived and fought in deep ditches dug into the earth. These trenches stretched for hundreds of miles from the North Sea to Switzerland.
Life in the trenches was grim: soldiers endured mud, rats, lice, disease, and constant bombardments. Despite the enormous human cost, battles often resulted in minimal territorial gains, leading to a war where wearing down the enemy mattered more than anything.
2. The bloodbath of Somme
5_frog_margin/via reddit.com
One of the most infamous battles of World War I was the Battle of the Somme, launched in July 1916. In just one day, over 57,000 British soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing. By the time the battle ended months later, over 1 million men had been killed or wounded.
The Battle of the Somme epitomized the futility of trench warfare, as massive artillery attacks and infantry advances resulted in little strategic gain.
3. WWI and chemical warfare
userdeleted/via reddit.com
World War I introduced chemical warfare on an unprecedented scale. Poison gases like chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas were used by both sides, causing blindness, severe burns, and agonizing deaths.
Gas attacks could come silently with the wind, giving soldiers little time to put on gas masks. The psychological impact was enormous, and the use of gas changed how war was fought forever. It also spurred international efforts after the war to ban chemical weapons due to their horrific effects.
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