The Nationaal Archief of the Netherlands published some of it’s vast collection on Flickr. I would like to curate poignant and interesting World War I photos, the ultimate “black swan” event. How about this crazy photo, the contrast of armor and a white pigeon, the expectation of a far away contact.
British Tank, Western Front in France. Tanks kept in touch with the Infantry by carrier pigeons which were released and carried messages back.
A French pilot makes an emergency landing on private land after a failed attack on the German Zeppelin near Brussels, 1915. Soldiers climb the tree. Spaarnestad Photo, SFA001017873
German Taube-plane hunted down by a French plane with a machine gun. France, 1914. Spaarnestad Photo, SFA022802237
Belgian front, charge of the Algerian dragoons at the front of Nieuwpoort. Belgium, 1915. Spaarnestad Photo, SFA022802079
German fleet surrendering to the English. First German U-boat near the Towerbridge. London, England, 1918. Spaarnestad Photo, SFA022802243
The Great War. First World War, mobilization, declaration of war: pupils of Eton college exercising in suit and high hat, rifle over the shoulder. England, 1915. Spaarnestad Photo, SFA022801433
A group of soldiers with a cloth to throw one of them into the air during preparations for the battle at the front. England, 1915. Spaarnestad Photo, SFA022801431
Temporary beds hanging in a train wagon, for wounded soldiers, guarded by a Red Cross employee. Holland, Netherlands, 1914. Spaarnestad Photo, SFA022802480
The British Western Front. The Battle of Flanders. Group of French and British soldiers at the front during a brief break.
Marfa Malko, a Russian female soldier with her husband (a Russian officer) fought against the Germans. When they were made prisoners, she was discovered as a woman. 1915.
German and Belgian soldiers, both wounded, arm in arm in the streets. 1915. Spaarnestad Photo, SFA02280255
Coast guard cavalry (soldiers on horseback) patrolling alongside the beach of Hartlepool, England. 1914. Spaarnestad Photo, SFA022802127
English sailors trying out a new type of life raft (a large linnen bag surrounded by a large life belt) in the Dardanellen. This raft is introduced on all warships. 1915. Spaarnestad Photo, SFA022802141
American army dog Stubby, rank of sergeant. Stubby died in 1926. the American army dog Stubby, rank of sergeant. Stubby died in 1926.
Photos via flickr/nationaalarchief
- Further Reading:
- Hugo Jaeger – Neville Chamberlain in Munich
- The Etymology of Soccer
- Hugo Jaeger and the amputees













