The first world war

So ... In English, please !

Doc. 3 : How the British encouraged young men to enlist at the beginning of the First World War

Alfred Leete’s famous poster ‘YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU’ first appeared in September 1914

Savile Lumley’s famous poster from World War One (‘What did you do in the war ?’)

DOC 4 : 'No Grave Result' Paris, April 2: Tonight's official communiqué says: In Belgium the surprise caused by the asphyxiating bombs used by the Germans to the north of Ypres has had no grave consequences. Our counter-attack, vigorously supported by the British troops on our right and also by the Belgian troops on our left, was developed with success. The Anglo-French troops gained ground towards the north between Steenstraate and the Ypres-Poelcapelle road. Our Allies took prisoners belonging to three different regiments. Daily Mirror Headlines: The Battle of Ypres, Published 24 April 1915

DOC 5 : Miss Joan Williams, munitions worker

Like many other women living in Blighty Joan Williams wanted to make a contribution to the war. The idea of working in a munitions factory came in 1915 with the news that her cousin in Bath had started to make shells. Her decision was a spirited one; unlike most of her co-workers she was upper class and accustomed to being waited on. A Munitions Worker's Career at Messrs Gwynne's, Chiswick - 1915-1919, www.bbc.co.uk

Some letters :

1 - If you're nearly frozen, they keep quiet: as soon as you warm up those blasted lice start to bite like the devil. It's horrible. I often think it is one of the worst things we have to endure out here.

2- There are millions!! Some are huge fellows, nearly as big as cats. Several of our men were awakened to find a rat snuggling down under the blanket alongside them!

3- Propped up against a wall was a dozen men - all gassed - their colours were black, green and blue, tongues hanging out and eyes staring - one or two were dead and others beyond human aid, some were coughing up green froth from their lungs - as we advanced we passed many more men lying in the ditches and gutterways - shells were bursting all around. […]