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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The Engineering Department of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company April 24, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photographic print is a group shot of the Engineering Department of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. The group is gathered around a large table with papers stacked on it. Behind the group is a map of the United States and a map of Ohio. In the back row standing from left to right is: unidentified, Arch Freeman, N. S. Clunet, unidentified, unidentified, and C. P. Nellis. Seated from left to right is: unidentified, R. V. Hutchinson, unidentified, unidentified, L. C. Luneke, James M. Schoonmaker, Howard M. Rinehart, J. E. Butz, unidentified, and unidentified. The title of the negative is" Dayton Wright Airplane Co. Engineering Department - Apr.-24-18." and labeled D59.
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The fuselage of the 1000 De Havilland DH-4 built by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1 at operation number four July 25, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photographic print shows the 1000 De Havilland DH-4 built at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company at operation number four in Plant 1. The aircraft has the Liberty Engine installed, gas tank, radiator, landing gear, and some controls. American flags are secured to the front of the aircraft and one is draped over the rear of the fuselage. A hand painted sign on the side of the aircraft reads "I am ship no. 1000 will leave for France July 31st 4:30 p.m." In the background there are other DH-4 fuselages, tools and building materials are on the floor and Dayton-Wright Airplane Company employees are working. The title of the negative is" The Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. Plant -1. Operation No. 4 - July 25 -18." and is labeled as 720.
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The fuselage of the 1000 De Havilland DH-4 built by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1 at operation number three July 24, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The 1000 De Havilland DH-4 is the center of the photograph at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1. The aircraft has the landing gear installed and the instrument panels in the cockpit. The engine supports are visible in the open engine compartment where the Liberty Engine will be installed. In the rear of the plane the Scarff ring is installed. On the side of the aircraft a hand painted sign reads "I am ship no. 1000 will leave for France July 31st. 4:30 p.m." Two United States flags are secured to the front of the aircraft and another United States flag is hanging from the rafters. In the background other DH-4s are worked on by Dayton-Wright employees. In the foreground is a box that is labeled "5 gallons U.S. Standard Lowe Bros. high standard Paint Olive Gray Airplane Enamel." Tools and other boxes lay on the ground around the base of the plane. The negative label 719 and is titled "The Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. Plant -1. Operation No. 3 - July 24."
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The fuselage of the 1000 De Havilland DH-4 built by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1 at operation number two at 2 p.m. July 24, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows the fuselage of the 1000 De Havilland DH-4 built by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company laying on its side on a set of sawhorses. The interior of the empty fuselage is the center of the print. The engine mounts are visible and the area where the cockpits will be placed is visible. Two American flags hang from the front end of the fuselage. A sign hangs from the side of the fuselage that reads "I am ship no. 1000 I leave for France on July 31st at 4:30 p.m. Help me along." In the background Dayton-Wright Employees work and other sections of DH-4 fuselage can be seen. The title of the negative is "The Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. Plant-1. Operation No. 2 - July 24 - 2 p.m."
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The fuselage of the 1000 De Havilland DH-4 produced by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company packaged in a crate for shipment at Plant 1 July 31, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photographic print shows the fuselage of the 1000 De Havilland DH-4 packaged in a crate and ready to ship. The United States flag is draped over the crate. A sign that hangs off the side of the crate reads "Greetings and Godspeed to the Boys "Over There" with this the 1000th plane from six thousand members of the manufacturing and office force of the Dayton Wright Airplane Co.". The sign on the side of the plane reads "I am ship no. 1000 will leave for France July 31st 4:30 p.m.". A Blue Star Banner with four stars hangs from the rafters of the factory. The title of the negative is "The Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. Plant - 1. July 31 -18." and is labeled 62.
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The fuselage of the 1000 De Havilland DH-4 produced by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company set on sawhorses at Plant 1 at operation number one July 23, 1918 at 4:30 p.m.
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photographic print shows the fuselage of the 1000 De Havilland DH-4 aircraft constructed on a set of sawhorses. The tail section is added but not covered and the engine mounts are visible in the front. On the side of the fuselage is a painted sign that reads, "I am ship 1000 will leave for France July 31 - 4:30 p.m." On the tail section of the fuselage another sign hangs that reads, "I am ship no. 1000 I leave for France on July 31st at 4:30 p.m. help me along." Two American flags are connected to the fuselage of the 1000 DH-4. OK is written on the fuselage in chalk. In the background other fuselages are being worked on by employees of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. The title of the negative is, "The Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. Plant-1 Operation no. 1 - July 23 - 4:30 p.m." and the negative is labeled as 713.
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The left top elevator control arm and hinge of a De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows the wiring connected to the left top elevator arm and hinge on the tail of the De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. The negative is labeled 36. This image was taken circa 1918.
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The modified De Havilland DH-4 named the Dayton-Wright Honeymoon Express at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photographic image shows the Honeymoon Express airplane at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company, circa 1918. The Honeymoon Express was a modified De Havilland DH-4 that could carry three people, one pilot and two passengers. A small canopy could be pulled over the passengers to protect them from the elements. The passenger area canopy is partially open. The photograph shows the airplane parked in an open field. In the background residential buildings are visible. The negative is labeled 76.
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Twin Lewis guns mounted on the Scarff ring of a De Havilland DH-4 inside a Dayton-Wright Airplane Company factory
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows twin Lewis guns mounted on the Scarff ring of a De Havilland DH-4 at a Dayton-Wright Airplane Company factory, circa 1918. Inside the second cockpit extra cases of ammunition for the Lewis guns is stacked on a shelf. The electrical wiring and control box used to heat the clothes and guns of the person in that cockpit is visible. A navigation light is seen behind the cockpit. A small enclosed area separates the De Havilland DH-4 from the employees of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company working in the background. A United States flag hangs from the rafters and the post near the enclosed area is marked with 86. The negative is labeled 100.
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Two female employees work on a Liberty Engine in the Motor Department of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1 July 1, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows two female employees of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company working on a Liberty Engine. The women work in the Motor Department of Plant 1. The Liberty Engine was the twelve cylinder engine used to power the De Havilland DH-4. In the background other Liberty Engines are visible and a chalkboard is on the back wall. The title of the negative is "The Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. Plant-1. - July 1-18."
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Two Kettering Bugs on a rail track ready for launch at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photographic print shows two Kettering Bugs on the rail carts ready to be launched, circa 1918. Four other Bugs are lined up along side the rail track resting on sawhorses. The rail track runs from a small building to an open field. Residential buildings can be seen in the background.
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Wide angle view of the Fuselage Department of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company August 21, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photographic image shows a wide angle view of the Fuselage Department of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. The room is filled with completed De Havilland DH-4 fuselages. The fuselages are stacked on top of each other and the open engine compartment is visible. United States flags hang from the rafters throughout the building. The title of the negative is "D.W.A.C. fuselage Aug 21st 1918."
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Wing assembly at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows employees of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company working on the assembly of aircraft wings, circa 1918. The photograph shows a large room where the aircraft wing skeletons are assembled and the cloth is attached. One employee holds up a completed section of wing that has the cloth attached. Throughout the room supplies and tools can be seen and a stack of wing skeletons is visible on the right side.
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Wing Department of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company April 1, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photographic print shows the Wing Department of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company in Plant 1. Employees work on the skeletons of the wings. The aircraft wings in the foreground are for the De Havilland DH-4. The photographer's title is "Dayton-Wright Airplane Plant-1. - Wing Dept. Apr. 1-18." and the negative is labeled 31.
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Wings for the Kettering Bug at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows the wings for the Kettering Bug which was manufactured at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company, circa 1918.
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Wings packaged for shipping at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company shipping office
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The wings are packaged in a crate that is marked 31737 and 30094. Other crates are visible in this circa 1918 photograph and employees of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company can be seen working. In the background the materials to build the crates are stacked for use. A sign in the background is titled "Shipping Office". The photograph is titled "Dayton-Wright Airplane" is labeled as 48.
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Wooden parts production at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
Dayton-Wright Airplane Company employees work on manufacturing wooden parts for aircraft production at Plant 1. The photograph shows the employees of Dayton-Wright using woodworking tools to shape and form the parts needed to build the aircraft, circa 1918. Carts full of lumber and other materials are visible around the scene. Completed pieces are stacked near the work stations. The title of the negative is "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co. Dayton, Ohio Plant No. 1."
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Soldiers on the Frontline
3219 Chevreux 1917 En 1st Ligne (3219, Chevreux, France, 1917, 1st Line). A view of a French soldier on the frontline. He is standing in a trench, surrounded by sandbags. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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Palmer B. Coombs Diary April - August 1917
Palmer B. Coombs
This diary details a five month span in the life of Palmer B. Coombs, from April-August of 1917. The diary entries range from attending school to enlisting in the army at the beginning of the US involvement in World War I.
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Assault of Éparges
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Aux Éparges, 1915, l’assaut du s avril (Éparges,1915, assault of April). A battlefield with soldier in the background. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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Attack of Champagne
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label 1622, Attaque De Champagne, 1915 (1622, Attack of Champagne, France, 1915). French soldiers standing near trucks. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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Dead Soldiers in a Trench
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Champagne 1915 Lendemain, apres l'attaque (Champagne 1915 Aftermath, after the attack). A soldier sits in a trench and is surrounded by the dead bodies of other soldiers. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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Died for the Fatherland
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Éparges 1915 Morts pour la Patrie (Éparges 1915 Died for the Fatherland). A partial view of a dead French soldier during the Battle of Éparges. The series of battles took place between 12th Infantry Division of the 1st French Army and the 33th German Infantry Division from 17 February to 5 April 1915. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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Soldiers in an Airplane Hanger
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label Arnas 1915. 155 eu action dans un hangar (Arnas 1915. 155 Action taken in a hangar). This image shows French soldiers in a hanger shooting off a cannon. Artillery shells and sandbags are also in view. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
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Cannons and Caisson
A glass plate stereoview slide with handwritten label 030 Marne 1914, 75 en action (030, Marne, France, 1914, 75 in action). A view of French soldiers firing cannons and loading artillery shells into a caisson. The photograph was taken in France during World War I.
