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Despatch-riders wearing gas-masks under their steel helmets
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Despatch-riders wearing gas-masks under their steel helmets
Two despatch-riders looking at their map at one of the villages on the British front near Salonika. Wearing gas-masks under their steel helmets to protect them against the fumes from Bulgarian gas shells. Date: 1916
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Media ID 14366100
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Amidst the chaotic and treacherous battlefields of the Western Front during World War I, the role of despatch riders took on an even greater significance. In this evocative photograph taken in 1916, two intrepid despatch riders, clad in protective gear, study their map at a village near Salonika. The ominous backdrop of the battlefield underscores the danger they faced every day. The riders, wearing both steel helmets and gas masks, were prepared for the deadly hazards of the war. The steel helmets, a relatively new innovation, offered some protection against shrapnel and other projectiles. However, it was the gas masks that were crucial in the face of the increasingly common use of poison gas by the Bulgarian forces. Despatch riders played a vital role in the war effort, carrying vital messages and documents between commanders and troops. Their motorcycles, often the fastest means of transportation available, were invaluable in the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of the conflict. The riders' ability to navigate the rugged terrain and dangerous conditions made them indispensable to the Allied forces. Despite the risks, the despatch riders remained steadfast in their duty, their unwavering commitment to the war effort a testament to their bravery and determination. This photograph captures a moment of respite, as the riders consult their map and plan their next move, their faces obscured by their gas masks, a stark reminder of the relentless and deadly nature of the war.
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