Original Photos - Page 12

A row of Cellerier mortars -- improvised using spent artillery rounds affixed to wood sabots.

Soldiers rest next to a row of

An army co-operative, selling wine, food and small nick-knacks to the men.

The co-operative of the 134th Brigade, selling wine, food and small nick-knacks to the men.

A group of engineers show off their new haircuts.

A post-war shot showing soldiers filling in the trenches with earth and debris.

A man stands at the ready next to a gas alarm.

A humorous yet sobering sign reminding passers-by:

A grenade launcher adapted from a Gras rifle.

An instructor demonstrates the correct aiming position taken before lobbing a grenade.

Another marvelous improvisation by French troops: a slingshot for grenades made from a tree limb. Fall 1914.

The destruction around Haudraumont Wood (Verdun).

Five poilus of the 74th RI outfitted in new horizon-blue uniforms and helmet covers (early 1916).

A post-war shot of the victory celebration on 14 July 1919 showing piles of confiscated German guns.

A rare shot: a young soldier caught bursting into laughter after some joke, forever unknown to us.