World War I Collections

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 Diary (SC-225)

World War I Glass Plate Stereoviews (MS-457)

World War I Letter (SC-30)

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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French Soldiers in War-Torn City

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Pendant [Illegible] (while). French soldiers look on while one soldier is hunched over and standing in a hole. The soldiers are standing in a town near heavily damaged buildings. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
French Soldiers on the Frontline

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label 036-En Premiere Ligne Ravin de Sonvaux (First in Line Ravine Sonvaux). French soldiers in a ravine on the frontline. One soldier is aiming his weapon. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Frontlines of Beausejour

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label 1st Ligne, Beausejour (Front Line, Beausejour). French soldiers in a trench on the frontlines in Beausejour. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
German Prisoners Near Tahure

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Environs de Tahure 23275 (Around Tahure, France, 23275). German prisoners walking near Tahure, France lead by a French soldier. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
German Soldiers

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Allemands (Germans) [illegible]. German soldiers walking through a narrow trench. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
German Soldiers

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Chavonne (Aisne) cadavres allemands (Chavonne (Aisne) German corpses). A view of dead German soldiers, lying face down in Chavonne, France. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Gunboat

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label 3100 Troyon Une Canonniere (A Gunship 3100 Troyon). A view of a gunboat. A soldier stands in the foreground of the photo. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Heading to a Cemetery

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Champagne enterrement d'un [Illegible] (Champagne, funeral of a [Illegible]). A horse-drawn carriage carrying a casket heading to a cemetery. Soldiers surround the carriage. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Horse-drawn Supply Cart

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label vers Chaulnes, [Illegible] (To Chaulnes, France). Soldiers loading a horse-drawn cart with supplies. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Ladies' Way

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Torpille Chemin des Dames (Torpedo, Ladies' Way). A view of an east-to-west ridge, located to the north of Paris, where three battles were fought during World War I. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Members of a Zouaves Regiment

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Nieuport Zouaves. The image shows members of Zouaves, a Light Infantry Regiment of the French Army, with a machine gun and surrounded by sandbags. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Military Equipment and a Tank

A damaged glass plate stereoview slide with illegible handwritten label. Soldiers and military equipment are in a trench. In the background of the photo is a tank. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
On the Frontline

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label 1261, [illegible] Marne en 1ere ligne (Marne in the first line). French soldiers with guns in front line trenches. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Prisoners of the Hill

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Prisonniers de la Cote 304 (Prisoners of Hill 304). A view of prisoners behind a fence that is covered with barbed wire. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Prisoners of War

A damaged glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label 34239- Somme, Camp de prisonniers (34239- Somme, Camp of prisoners). The image shows war prisoners behind a fence being guarded by French soldiers. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Prisoners of War

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Prisonniers Au Mort Homme (Prisoners, dead men). The image shows prisoners of war behind a fence. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Road to Tahune

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Route vers Tahune, 23278 (Road to Tahune). View of a horse-drawn wagon, truck, and soldiers on a road. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Ruins of a Church

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Ablain St. Nazaire, 23002, eglise (Ablain St Nazaire Church). A view of the ruins of church in Ablain St. Nazaire. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Ruins of War

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Artois, tranchees massé, 3044 (Artois, France, mass trenches, 3044). A view of a large trench with the ruins of a building in the background. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Shot Down German Airplane

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Verdun, avion allemand abattu (Verdun, France, German aircraft shot down). French soldiers stand near the wreckage of shot down German airplane. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Soldiers doing Laundry

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Vers Massiges En Reserve (Massiges in reserves). The images shows French soldiers hanging laundry on a clothesline. A shelter for the soldiers is dug into the side of the trench. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Soldiers in a Trench

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Sommet (Sommet, France) A view of soldiers standing in a trench with their backs to the camera. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Soldiers in a Trench

Poste de [Illegible] a Rhiamout (Door de [ILLEGIBLE] a Rhiamout). French soldiers in a trench. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Soldiers near Mt. Cornillet

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label 11, Mt Cornillet, La Releve 11, Mont Cornillet, succession). Soldiers walking through a trench that is surrounded by barbed wire. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 in France during World War I.
Soldiers on a Muddy Path

A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label [illegible] sous la neige Artois, 23100 (under that snow, Artois, France), along with illegible text. A soldier leads a horse over a muddy path with other soldiers following behind. The photograph was taken between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918 during World War I.