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On their way to the trenches through the snow, Flanders
Summary
British soldiers marching over snowy ground towards the frontline, during World War I. With each soldier carrying a full kit, this photograph shows a single-file line of British troops marching over snowy terrain to the frontline trenches. Looking closely at the image, one can see the bulging kit bags and mess tins that the soldiers carried as part of their supplies. Some of the mens rifles are also wrapped up in protective covers...To pass away the monotony of marching and to raise morale, the soldiers often sang songs while taking part in a march such as this. In his book of war memoirs, 'Goodbye to All That', Robert Graves describes some of these songs. Unlike propaganda songs such as 'Pack up your troubles in you old kit-bag', however, Graves writes that their marching songs were usually about getting a 'cutie' (slight wound) in order to get back home to 'Blighty' (Britain). So the military songs back in Britain seemed to be about leaving home and going to war, while the soldiers' songs were mostly about leaving the war and going back home...[Original reads: 'BRITISH OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH FROM THE WESTERN FRONT. On their way to the trenches through the snow.']..digital.nls.uk/74548064 ( http://digital.nls.uk/74548064 )
World War I (WWI or WW1), also known as the First World War, or the Great War, was a global war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. World War I Images From National Library of Schotland. These photographs form part of the papers of Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928), held by the National Library of Scotland. More information is available from the Library's Digital Archive. Like many World War I generals, Haig remains a controversial figure. The collection contains diaries, papers and photographs from every part of Haig’s career, the Great War diaries being of special importance to historians. Photographs in the "Official Photographs" series (which were destined for publication and have captions on the back describing the image) are in black-and-white. World War I saw the development of a system of 'official’ reporting by professionals especially recruited into the forces. Initially reluctant to allow cameras near the fighting, it took some time for the authorities to appreciate the propaganda and recording potential of photography. These photographs provide us with an invaluable record of how the Government and Military wanted the war perceived. Official photographers were encouraged to record morale-boosting scenes of victory and comradeship. Despite the restrictions placed on them, official war photographers succeeded in giving the most comprehensive visual account of the war. It is important to remember that these images were propaganda; few that could depict the war in a disheartening or disconcerting way passed the censors. As a result the photograph taken was often posed. They were intended to reassure those at home and boost morale. They were printed in newspapers, and were intended to confirm that 'Tommy' was winning the war.
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