Old Bills War-Aim, by Bairnsfather
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Old Bills War-Aim, by Bairnsfather
" To live to see a day like this"
A cartoon by Bruce Bairnsfather featuring his popular character Old Bill. The cartoon appeared in a special War Aims issue of The Bystander. It shows Old Bill with his grandson at the zoo, poking Kaiser Wilhelm though the bars of a cage. His grandson is saying, " Make it run down to the other end again Grandpa!".
1917
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14171182
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Aims Bairnsfather Bill Bruce Grandson Hooded Kaiser Major Wilhelm
EDITORS COMMENTS
Old Bill's War-Aim: A Satirical Take on the Zealous Spirit of WWI by Bruce Bairnsfather In the heart of the First World War, during the tumultuous year of 1917, the renowned British cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather created a powerful and satirical image that encapsulated the zeitgeist of the time. This iconic cartoon, titled "Old Bill's War-Aim," was published in a special War Aims issue of The Bystander. The image features Bairnsfather's beloved character, Old Bill, a British soldier who had become a symbol of the common soldier's experiences and resilience during the war. In this particular cartoon, Old Bill is seen at the zoo with his grandson, who excitedly urges him, "Make it run down to the other end again, Grandpa!" Old Bill, with a mischievous grin, responds to the request by poking Kaiser Wilhelm, the German Emperor, through the bars of a cage. The hooded Kaiser, resembling a T-Rex or a Strasserus, cowers in fear. The cartoon's title, "Old Bill's War-Aim," adds an additional layer of meaning to the image, suggesting that Old Bill's desire for victory in the war is as simple and primal as the instinct to make an animal run. The juxtaposition of the grandson's innocent enjoyment of the zoo visit with Old Bill's violent action against the enemy leader highlights the complexities of the human experience during wartime. Bairnsfather's masterful use of humor and satire in "Old Bill's War-Aim" not only provided a much-needed reprieve from the harsh realities of the war but also served as a powerful reminder of the determination and unyielding spirit of the British people during this pivotal moment in history.
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