World War I in 110 Objects Take a Novel Approach to Chronicling "The Great War"

By Mark Rhodes

Military historian, Peter Doyle’s masterful, thoughtful and fascinating book World War I in 100 Objects (Plume) is not only a captivating chronicle of The Great War pictorially, it is also a spellbinding bit of storytelling by Mr. Doyle. The book could have easily functioned as a coffee table-style book, coasting along on the mesmerizing images such as a Pickelhaube (a German style ceremonial hat), a nasty looking Butcher bayonet, a Trench art ring (trench art being a sort of folk art using the residual artifacts of war like shell casings to manufacture jewelry and so on).  

Author Doyle also touches on the role of aviation in the First World War chronicling among his objects the French Spad XIII, which evolved quickly as a result of the need for aircraft that could maneuver skillfully with a high rate of climb and sophisticated firepower. Also among the objects are examples of Aerial Photographs. Mr. Doyle points out that the use of aviation for photoreconnaissance was of primary importance to the participants of WWI as the War evolved into one where positional warfare was by and large the main strategic concern. Use of photography by the Aviation services allowed the combatants to monitor the strategy of positioning, particularly the positioning of the trenches, allowing for better and more accurate artillery bombardments. Ironically enough, this practice helped air combat evolve, as the war’s participants sent up aircraft armed to take out these “eyes” of the participating armies. Indeed, Mr. Doyle reports that over half of Manfred von Richthofen’s (The Red Baron’s) kills were air reconnaissance pilots.  

With itys somewhat sinister silhouette the World War I era Pickelhaube (German Helmet) had a fearsome theatrical element. (Peter Doyle/Plume Books)This is a great work for military history and history and aviation buffs. Mr. Doyle’s work here is novel in its approach and a reminder of the influence of the First World War on military technology, attitudes about war, and even popular culture. 

See more about Peter Doyle’s work at www.peterdoylemilitaryhistory.com

Aerial photography in World War I helped revoutionize modern military strategy. (Peter Doyle/Plume Books)