2014-2019 marks the centennial Anniversary of World War I. To commemorate this event the Special Collections and Archives of Wright State University has gathered materials related to World War I from its collections. This series contains many letters, diaries, photographs, and other ephemera from Ohio natives. The creators of these materials give the user a glimpse at the impact of World War I from a unique and individual perspective. Though these materials often record factual data, a closer inspection will often reveal content of a more personal nature.
The World War I Collections include materials from the following series:
Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Photographs (MS-152)
The 91st Observation Squadron Photographs (MS-293)
Palmer Coombs WWI Materials: Diaries and Papers (MS-293)
Fred F. Marshall Papers (MS-53)
World War I Glass Plate Stereoviews (MS-457)
War Camp Community Service Song Sheet (SC-174)
For more information on these collections, please visit Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.
For more information about the Centennial Anniversary of World War I please visit The United States World War One Centennial Commission.
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Men examining German "Sturmpanzerwagen"
Two men examining a German "Sturmpanzerwagen," (A7V) tank captured by the 26th Battalion, A.I.F. (Australian Imperial Force). This image is believed to have been taken around 1918.
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People seated in front of artillery
Group of 13 people seated in front of artillery, probably on a battleship. This group includes two women and four military officers. This image is believed to have been taken between 1914 and 1918.
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Portrait of Fred Marshall
A portrait of Fred Marshall with hand written text "Govt photographer and correspondent detailed to the Hague."
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Preparing to Attack
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Éparges, 1918, préparatifs d'attaque (Éparges, 1918, Preparing to attack). A soldier with back turned to camera standing in a trench preparing to attack the enemy. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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Ruins of a railroad bridge
A view of the remains of a railroad bridge over Marne near Château-Thierry, France. "Remains of R.R. Bridge over Marne Near Chateau Thierr" is printed on the image.
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Soldiers at the Ready
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Prise de Courcelles, 3903, Juin 1918 (Taking Courcelles, 3903, June 1918). Soldiers are standing near a field, one of them is aiming his gun. Another soldier is lying wounded or dead on the ground. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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Soldiers marching in front of Pathe Lab
Soldiers marching in front of the photo lab at the Pathé Frères Fabrik in Vincennes in Paris.
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Soldiers Walking on Battlefield
A damaged glass plate stereoview slide with illegible handwritten label. Soldiers are walking on a battlefield in 1918. The photograph was taken between in France during World War I.
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The Taking of Courcelles
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Prise Courcelles en 1918 (Taking Courcelles in 1918). A view of dead soldiers on the road. Another soldier is walking in the background of the photo. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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The Taking of Montdidier
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Prise de Montdidier en 1918 (Taking Montdidier in 1918). French soldiers in standing and sitting in a trench. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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Wounded German Soldiers
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Aisne, 1918, Blessés Allemands (Aisne, 1918, Wounded Germans). This image shows wounded German soldiers walking across a battlefield. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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WWI gun
Large, rail-mounted U.S. Navy artillery unit, with several sailors working on and observing it. There is also an inset photo of a soldier in the upper left. This image is believed to have been taken between 1914 and 1918.
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Palmer B. Coombs Diary March 1918 - January 1919
Palmer B. Coombs
This diary details an eleven month span in the life of Palmer B. Coombs, from March 1918-January 1919. These entries cover Coombs' travel from Illinois through France and back to the United States at the end of World War I.
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Palmer B. Coombs Naval Battery 1 and U.S. Naval Railway Battery 1
Palmer B. Coombs
This is a list of personnel that includes names, possibly some ranks, and addresses for men in various squads.
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World War I Diary
H. Crawford
This diary contains a collection of handwritten entries from Sergeant H. Crawford, a member of the 362nd Infantry in the American Army. In his diary, Sergeant Crawford details his travels from Houston, Texas to Europe during World War I. The author includes many of his experiences such as caring for the wounded, time in battle, and more.
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Letter, 1918 October 7, Topsy (alias) Berthe [Berthe Eller] to Fred [Fred F. Marshall]
Berthe Eller
Letter from Berthe Eller to Fred Marshall. In this letter Eller tells Marshall to cheer up and that the war will end soon. She also encourages him to visit her if the quarantine is lifted, and to keep up his "literary work."
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Letter, 1918 September 6, Berthe Eller to Soldier Boy [Fred F. Marshall]
Berthe Eller
Letter from Berthe Eller to Fred Marshall. In this letter Eller thanks Marshall for his letter and his flattery. She indicates that she would like to have Marshall and his friends make a social call some evening. In the postscript she wrote her phone number.
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Aerial view of Bastille Day from Arc de Triomphe
Fred F. Marshall
View of the Champs-Élysées and a Bastille Day celebration on July 14, 1918 from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.
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Aerial view of the Bastille Day Celebration, Paris, France
Fred F. Marshall
View of the celebration of Bastille Day in Paris, France on July 14, 1918.
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Aerial view of the Bastille Day Celebration, Paris, France
Fred F. Marshall
View of the celebration of Bastille Day in Paris, France on July 14, 1918.
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Aerial view of the Champs-Élysées from Arc de Triomphe
Fred F. Marshall
View of the Champs-Élysées from Arc de Triomphe. This image was taken from the roof of the Hotel de Crillon, American military headquarters, Place de la Concorde.
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Aerial view of the Place de la Concorde
Fred F. Marshall
View of the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France, taken from the roof of the Hotel Crillon during the Bastille Day celebration on July 14, 1918.
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Aerial view of the Place de la Concorde
Fred F. Marshall
View of the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France, taken from the roof of the Hotel Crillon during the Bastille Day celebration on July 14, 1918.
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Aerial view of the Place de la Concorde and surrounding area
Fred F. Marshall
View of the Place de la Concorde in Paris France, looking down the Rue Royale toward the Madeline Church. In the center of the Place de la Concorde is an Ancient Egyptian obelisk, Hotel Crillion mid distance, and the River Seine is in the foreground.