Artifacts that defined WW1.
The Trench Coat
The trench coat was a big part of the war attire. The trench coat had other purposes than style. The trench coat was a necessity because it protected men who would occupied a hole in the ground. The trench coat was typically made of heavy-duty waterproof materials. The perfect piece for filthy wet trench warfare. These. coats were made for war.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand's car
Franz Ferdinand was the archduke of Austria in 1914. On June 28, 1914 he was murdered by Gavrilo Princip a member of the black hand. Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie Chotek were both shot and killed in this car. His assassination led to the July crisis and unexpectedly Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia which in a turn of events led to Austria-Hungary's allies and Serbia allies declaring war on each other thus starting World War I. Essentially the death of Franz Ferdinand was the starting fuel for the first world war.
Prosthetic Limb
The destruction of World War I combined with improved medical care resulted in thousands of soldiers surviving their devastating injuries. Thus creating the need for prosthetic limbs very quickly. Most of the damages were caused by artillery fire. The British army men lost 41,000 limbs all together. Many amputees preferred a hook. In World War I roughly 20-22 million were wounded. A lot of men needed replacement limbs.
Barbed Wire
This type of wire twist with a square cross section was used wherever the Germans set their hands to in construction of prisoner of war camps. The barbed wire was invented in 1860. Barbed wire was very essential in World War I due to trench fortifications, barbed wire secured territory meanwhile protected it.
Trench Periscope |
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The Trench Periscope was very useful. It was useful because the need to look over the parapet of the trenches and observe the activity in no mans land. The purpose was to give a solider a view of his front whilst his head and body are sheltered. Made from cheap out of boxwood in 1917. The periscope would be often spotted by enemy snipers in a shower of glass splinters. This was the best type of equipment for the objective at the time.