Ressources pédagogiques “14

Transcription

Keys to the objects selected in the “pedagogical resource documents”
Exhibition “14-18, this is our history”/ Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of
Military History, Brussels
1. Sarajevo
Browning pistol produced by the Fabrique Nationale d’armes in Herstal-Liège, model
1910
© Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History, Brussels
On June 28, 1914 the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary Franz-Ferdinand and his wife
Sophie are killed in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The assault is committed by Gavrilo
Princip, a young Serb. He uses a handgun similar to the one presented here.
The first reactions are not alarming, but the situation does become explosive when the AustrianHungarian empire declares war to Serbia on July 28. As the great European powers are linked to one
another through a network of alliances, all of Europe is set ablaze.
2. Life in the trenches
Papier-mâché bust of a Belgian storm-trooper, decoy produced by the Belgian army
camouflage section
Camouflaged trench periscope, used by Belgian observers, hand-made, around 1916
“To see without being seen”: the concept truly haunts the men in the trenches, as
any emerging body-part becomes a sitting duck. The periscope allows observation of the no man’s
land or the enemy lines, while offering protection. In order not to attract attention, this periscope is
camouflaged as a tree trunk.
In order to re-launch the stagnating conflict, artist-soldiers stationed behind the front conceive decoys.
Stage builders, sculptors or painters by trade before the war, they put their artistic talents in service
of the army to create fake objects. As soon as it emerges from the trenches, the papier-mâché torso
becomes a target. By observing where the shootings exactly originate from, ammunitions can be saved
when retaliating.
Trench art: ring
In order to kill time between attacks, men collect stray materials and turn them into
small decorative objects, toys or even rings for sweethearts back home.
PEDAGOGICAL
SOURCES
: KEYSc’est
AND CONTEXT
Ressources
pédagogiques
“14-18,
notre histoire”
3. Old weapons vs. modern technology
German bludgeon
© Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History, Brusselsl
Belgian Maxim machine gun, model 1911
With the inundation of the Yser flatlands the war becomes a war of attrition. The
men entrench themselves for four long years. Archaic weapons such as bludgeons,
daggers or bayonets are used alongside modern inventions such as 600 rounds a minute machine guns,
poisonous gas or armoured assault vehicles designed to break through enemy lines.
4. Uniform / camouflage
Storm-trooper with the 9th Line regiment in combat gear as it was worn at the outbreak of war, 1914
Mauser rifle, model 1889. This Belgian infantry weapon remains standard army issue
throughout the war, around 1914
When the war breaks out, Belgian soldiers still wear very colourful uniforms, unlike the
Germans or the British. This uniform is not suited to trench warfare: it is not practical, too
conspicuous and offers no protection. Step by step the uniform will be adapted to the demands
of modern warfare.
Storm-trooper with the chasseurs à pied regiment, October-November 1918
By the summer of 1915 the Belgian uniform is adapted to trench warfare. Taking its cue from
British examples, the uniform is now khaki-coloured. In the fall of 1915 the soldier receives a
helmet modelled on the French, with a frontal Belgian lion. By the end of the war, equipment is
completed by gasmasks of two different models and by a linen backpack.
Camouflaged Russian gun *
Armies not only camouflage their men. They also dissimulate artillery pieces and strategic
points (observation posts, communication routes, ammunition depots,…) in order to protect
them. Colours are selected according to the surroundings and applied in such a way as to
break up the contours of the piece, thus rendering it invisible.
* Due to its size this piece is not part of the 14-18, this is our history exhibition, but displayed in the
permanent exhibition gallery 14-18.
PEDAGOGICAL SOURCES : KEYS AND CONTEXT
5. Medical services
X-rays showing bullet and shrapnel wounds, 1916
As weaponry becomes increasingly sophisticated the injuries caused by these
weapons also become more complicated. Medical science adapts itself to the
circumstances of war and progresses throughout the conflict. Medical imagery
makes it possible to clearly situate affected areas and to operate on or care for victims more precisely.
Reconstructive surgery, kinesiology, antiseptic solutions or blood transfusions will largely evolve in the
course of the First World War.
6. A world war
Longhi for a sergeant with the 19th King George’s Own Lancers Regiment in India
“Lemon squeezer” hat for a New-Zealand soldier
Khukuri of a regiment fighting gurkhas, British India
Uniforms of French spahis with the North African colonial troops, around 1914
As the European powers call on their overseas territories, the conflict turns into a world war. Tens of
nationalities come into contact with one another. At the Flemish front, Belgians fight alongside both
British Commonwealth troops and soldiers with the French North African colonial troops: Maori warriors,
troops from British India, Chinese labourers or French spahis all meet in the Westhoek.
7. German occupation
“In spite of flour suppression we continue to sell good old pies”, drawing by René
Flour bag distributed by the Commission for Relief in Belgium
Flour bag
Due to requisitions, destruction of harvests and supply difficulties shops are
empty. Food becomes expensive and scarce. People are issued with rationing booklets, limiting
buying possibilities. Belgium is hungry. Between 1914 and 1918 the Commission for Relief in Belgium,
organized and led by the United States, distributes more than 300,000 tons of flour to the needy Belgian
population. Once the flour delivered, the cotton bags are embellished with Belgian and American
symbols. They are re-utilized to collect money or sent back to the Commission for Relief as a token of
gratitude on the part of the Belgians.
Ausweis
The Germans control everything. Everyone has to be in possession of an Ausweis, a kind of ID
with picture listing administrative and physical characteristics. All movements are controlled:
it is impossible to travel without official authorization.
8. Refugees
Civilians on the road to exile come across military columns *
Belgian refugee camps in the Netherlands *
Belgian refugee camps in the Netherlands *
The German invasion throws 1.5 million Belgians on the roads (on a total population
of seven millions) of exile, mainly to France, the Netherlands and Great Britain. Some refugees come
back to Belgium in the course of the war, but more than half a million Belgians sit out the war far away
from home. In the Netherlands most refugees live in wooden shed camps or in large dormitories. They
are poor, unemployed and can only survive thanks to aid granted by the welcoming countries.
* These documents are not on display in the exhibition but are safeguarded in the RMM documentation
centre.
9. Albert and Wilhelm
Uniform for a German cavalry general “à la suite”, belonging to King Albert I
Belgian officers’ sword, branded Fonson in Brussels, belonging to Emperor
Wilhelm
© Huis Doorn, the Netherlands
In the beginning of the 20th century family ties unite all European dynasties. In order to highlight both
these ties and the friendship between countries, it is customary to present these nations’ leaders with
honorary titles or to promote them to a high military rank.
On November 5, 1913, during his visit to Luneburg and Potsdam, Albert, King of the Belgians and cousin
to the German emperor, becomes a general with the German cavalry.
Contrary to the armies of Central Europe, Belgium does not grant honorary colonel ranks. That is why
Wilhelm is presented with an officers’ sword.
10. Propaganda
Postcards:
- Emperor Wilhelm as seen by the Allies and the Belgians
- King Albert in allied war propaganda
- King Albert as seen by the enemy or by neutral countries
A classical propaganda technique is the diabolical or ridiculing representation of the enemy and the
glorification of the own leader. The depiction of the sovereign will therefore vary according to the
“producer” of the image.
11. Resistance
Black leather shoes permitting the dissimulation of messages
Bill warning against the dangers of espionage: “ Watch out for what you say in the
presence of locals. Spies lurk!”
The Allies are continuously looking for information about the German army. Troop and equipment
movements, maps, schedules,… everything can be used against the enemy. Numerous men and women
volunteer their services as spies, to hide soldiers or to transport messages in occupied territories. Once
discovered by the enemy, these resistance fighters may well pay for their activities with their lives.
12. The armistice
Spa-based telegrapher announcing the cease-fire in the morning of November 11, 1918
to the German troops
On November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m. the cease-fire is ordered on both sides. The fighting stops, but
the war continues to cause death and disruption. Lots of soldiers die from the consequences
of their injuries or from illness, numerous Belgians are still in exile abroad where they live in
poverty, people are exhausted and destitute. Reconstruction will take quite some time.
13. After the war
Articulated arm for a veteran, Ireland, around 1920 *
The world pays a heavy tribute to the First World War: nearly 10 million deaths and
disappearances (5% of which concerning civilians), 20 million people are injured or
maimed, European economy is in shambles, loans, repairs (the war cost 375 billion
dollars), entire regions are in ruins (250,000 houses are to be rebuilt), thousands of
square miles of farmland are covered in shell holes, metal scrapping and bodies…
* This item is not on display in the exhibition 14-18, this is our history, but is to be found in the
permanent Inter-war section (2nd floor Bordiau Gallery)

Ressources pédagogiques “14

Transcription

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