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A village gradually destroyed by shells
Unknown, 1918, Press cutting, Reproduction
Item
of 41
A village gradually destroyed by shells
A village gradually destroyed by shells
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Item no
32759
Title
As seen from the air: A village gradually destroyed by shells
Description
From the Illustrated London News published 1918, March 23rd, page 351. Photographs by the Section Photographique of the Belgian Army. Additional title after first photo: After the first bombardments: The village of Merckem in Flanders, in 1915 - damaged, but still recognisable. Additional title after second photo: Completely obliterated by successive poundings of Artillery: An aerial photograph of Merckem in 1917.
Artist / maker
Unknown
Date
1918
Size
39.6 x 26.7cm
Type
Press cutting
;
Reproduction
Location
Reference Library
The readiness and availability of airplanes and Zeppelins during the First World War created a new strategy of warfare; air raids. For the first time, armies could bring the war to enemy cities located far from the front lines and demonstrate the horrors of war to civilian populations. While the initial goal was not to directly target civilians, but instead to disrupt the supply chain to the front lines, planned strategic bombing of military outposts was nearly impossible and seen as highly inaccurate. However many armies carried on conducting air raids despite their rate of failure. This direct targeting of civilian cities and targets is seen throughout WWI in events such as the sinking of the Lusitania and the German air-raids on London. The latter of which destroyed historical sites, like the partial destruction of St. Paul's Cathedral and killed several children when their school was hit during a raid. Attacks on civilians were designed to serve a military purpose, but in reality most raids only harmed non-military targets and sparked public outrage.
Read history as it happened with free access to the
Scotsman Digital Archive
.
You can search the entire 1914-19 archives of
the Illustrated London News
online.
Exhibitions with this item
ILN During WWI: Modernising Warfare
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