British troops cleaning their Lee-Enfield rifles, in a deep reinforced trench, during a lull in fighting, on the Western Front, in World War 1. The sun is shining but there is snow on the ground around the trench. They are warned of a gas attack and put on protective masks. They take up positions and fire from the trench. Snow covers the area around the trench. Gas drifts over the open trench. A soldier comes out of a dug out at the end of the trench, and is affected by gas. Another soldier puts a protective mask over his face. Soldiers help the affected soldier. (World War I; World War 1; WWI; WW1)
French soldier recruits on the firing range during World War 1. Two recruits stand as instructors explain operation of the French Lebel rifles set up on rigid tripod stands. Other soldiers stand outside a wall and fire rifles through its openings at targets on the other side, simulating defense of from inside a building. Officer and soldier examine bullet holes in a large target. (WWI. WW1)
2-man Renault FT Light Tank being demonstrated during World War 1. It moves through various wooded areas and negotiates steep inclines. (Note: Following the war, this type of Renault tank was often referred to as the FT-17.)
View of several fallen French soldiers lying in a trench during World War 1. Scene shifts to a French medical corpsman treating wounded hand of a soldier in a trench. Medics and soldiers searching trenches for wounded. Teams of stretcher bearers carrying wounded on their shoulders. Ambulatory wounded French soldiers make their way along a trench to a first aid station, followed by stretcher bearers carrying a wounded soldier, whom they carefully move into a dugout. Change of scene to behind the lines in a French town, where wounded are loaded into an ambulance. View of the ambulance driving past a war-damaged church building. (WWI. WW1)
French soldiers being decorated in a field during World War 1. Marshal Philippe Petain presents individual and unit awards to french soldiers. Closeup of French unit guidon with awards attached. Petain converses with some of the honored soldiers. (WWI. WW1)
Opening slate describes aerial view from and aeroplane traveling 100 miles per hour. French conical tents are laid out below in military precision at a camp in World War 1. Dirt roads and a river appear in the scenes. Large oblong tents with peaked roofs and several entry flaps are seen in other camp areas. Utility areas with a large piece of equipment are seen plus more conical tents and various pieces of military equipment.