Bruce Flamenbaum
December 2025 - Remains of WAR
About the Image(s)
A WWI French trench today in the Eastern front in the Alsace-Lorraine region. Shot with a Canon 5D mkIII, 24-105 mm at 60mm.
In WWI unlike the Germans, the French did not have well designed trenches. This was shot on a rainy day and in just a few hours the trench began to fill with water. French soldiers stood in water for days, leading to Trench Foot. In winter they would have to stand in and on ice. This trench was less than 25 yards from the German fortifications. The burlap bags you see were sent to the front filled with cement and sand. When the bags were made wet, they would form a concrete block, suitable for protection.
3 comments posted
Kenneth Taylor
Very interesting image of history! I don't see any changes being made Posted: 12/11/2025 22:51:17
Excellent Image.
World War I reminds me of history that many people are not aware of because it is not taught to them or highlighted in the media.
India was a British Colony who at that time, was systematically looting the country(India) and also forced, over 1.3 million Indian soldiers to serve in World War I. Despite limited rations and racial discrimination, they showed **remarkable resilience and discipline**.
They fought across multiple continents and earning global recognition for their bravery and sacrifice. Their contribution was pivotal to the British war effort.
---
### Indian Soldiers in World War I: Key Contributions
#### ???? Scale and Reach
- **1.3 to 1.5 million Indian troops** served overseas between 1914 and 1918.
- **Over 74,000 died**, and **approximately 67,000 were wounded**.
- Indian forces fought in **Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia**, including:
- **Western Front (France and Belgium)**
- **Gallipoli (Turkey)**
- **Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq)**
- **East and West Africa**
- **Egypt and Palestine**
#### ????? Roles and Challenges
- Served as **infantry, cavalry, engineers, and medical units**.
- Faced **harsh climates**, unfamiliar terrain, and **cultural isolation**-from freezing trenches in Europe to desert warfare in the Middle East.
#### Strategic Impact
- Indian troops helped **hold key positions** during early phases of the war when British forces were stretched thin.
- Their presence in Mesopotamia and Africa was crucial in **countering Ottoman and German forces**.
- India also contributed (Part of British loot from India) **material aid**, including **supplies, animals, and financial resources**.
Good thing that Happened:
#### Legacy and Historical Significance
- Their service laid groundwork for **India's independence movement**, as returning veterans questioned colonial rule.
- The war highlighted the **global nature of imperial conflict**, with Indian soldiers fighting for a crown that denied them equal rights.
Posted: 12/15/2025 00:57:32
World War I reminds me of history that many people are not aware of because it is not taught to them or highlighted in the media.
India was a British Colony who at that time, was systematically looting the country(India) and also forced, over 1.3 million Indian soldiers to serve in World War I. Despite limited rations and racial discrimination, they showed **remarkable resilience and discipline**.
They fought across multiple continents and earning global recognition for their bravery and sacrifice. Their contribution was pivotal to the British war effort.
---
### Indian Soldiers in World War I: Key Contributions
#### ???? Scale and Reach
- **1.3 to 1.5 million Indian troops** served overseas between 1914 and 1918.
- **Over 74,000 died**, and **approximately 67,000 were wounded**.
- Indian forces fought in **Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia**, including:
- **Western Front (France and Belgium)**
- **Gallipoli (Turkey)**
- **Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq)**
- **East and West Africa**
- **Egypt and Palestine**
#### ????? Roles and Challenges
- Served as **infantry, cavalry, engineers, and medical units**.
- Faced **harsh climates**, unfamiliar terrain, and **cultural isolation**-from freezing trenches in Europe to desert warfare in the Middle East.
#### Strategic Impact
- Indian troops helped **hold key positions** during early phases of the war when British forces were stretched thin.
- Their presence in Mesopotamia and Africa was crucial in **countering Ottoman and German forces**.
- India also contributed (Part of British loot from India) **material aid**, including **supplies, animals, and financial resources**.
Good thing that Happened:
#### Legacy and Historical Significance
- Their service laid groundwork for **India's independence movement**, as returning veterans questioned colonial rule.
- The war highlighted the **global nature of imperial conflict**, with Indian soldiers fighting for a crown that denied them equal rights.
Posted: 12/15/2025 00:57:32
Hi Bruce,
Intriguing image and narrative! Posted: 12/15/2025 03:00:52
Intriguing image and narrative! Posted: 12/15/2025 03:00:52