20th Century Military Illustrations
The Boxer Rebellion, 1900
The march to relieve the besieged foreign legations in Peking was one of great fatigue - the heat was so intense that on occasion they had to rest until night brought cooler temperatures - and some vicious fighting.
© Aonix Ltd
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The Boxer Rebellion, 1900
The march to relieve the besieged foreign legations in Peking was one of great fatigue - the heat was so intense that on occasion they had to rest until night brought cooler temperatures - and some vicious fighting.
© Aonix Ltd -
Gallipoli, 1915
Two companies of the 8th Royal Welch Fusiliers attacked Turkish positions in support of an Australian assault on The Nek. Struggling up a steep and narrow gully the Fusiliers were hit by machine gun and rifle fire and by grenades as they reached the summit. Dead bodies fell on the men below.
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Mametz Wood, 1916
Mametz Wood was a hideous tangle of trees, undergrowth, tripwires and trenches. All overlain by the smashed trunks and branches of trees hit by shell fire. British shells hitting the tops of the trees fell and exploded amongst the Royal Welsh Fusiliers below. Trees which that hadn't been hit often held body parts of men caught in the explosions.
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The Battle of the Somme, 1916
Private Short, a bomber with the 8th Yorkshires, was wounded in the leg during an attack on Torr Trench. Although told to return for treatment he remained in the trench and was hit, again in the leg, by shrapnel. Propped against the trench wall he insisted on preparing Mills Bombs until the attack succeeded. Short died before he could be taken to an R.A.P. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.
In the collection of the Green Howards Regimental Museum -
The Battle of the Somme, 1916
Captain White of the 6th Yorkshires (later the Green Howards) led a large bombing party in two attacks on the heavily defended Stuff Redoubt. These having failed he held the area against repeated counter attacks until finally relieved. White and his men fought in this isolated position for four days, holding their gains until relieved. Captain White was awarded the Victoria Cross
In the collection of the Green Howards Regimental Museum -
Poelcappelle, 1917
In the attack on Poelcappelle, 1917, Corporal Clamp was one of a group of bombers who rushed a blockhouse from which a machine gun held up the advance. His two companions were wounded and he dragged them to safety before repeating his attack. He was seen to reach the blockhouse, throw his bombs and then disappear. Clamp emerged with a machine gun and 30 prisoners. Later he went to deal with snipers, leaping from ruins, throwing bombs and disappearing. Clamp took several sniper posts before being shot and killed. Corporal Clamp was awarded the Victoria Cross.
In the collection of the Green Howards Regimental Museum -
The Spring Offensive, 1918
Lt Col Watson was C.O. of the 4th/5th KOYLI when they were put into the line to attempt to stem the German breakthrough. Holding back overwhelming forces Watson led an attack only to find that they were outnumbered and surrounded. Suffering from an old wound to his left arm Watson sent his men back while he remained to cover their withdrawal with a pistol and bucket of Mills Bombs. The men reached safety but Watson was killed. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.
In the collection of the Green Howards Regimental Museum -
France, 1940
Sergeant Jones, a WOP/AG. One of the three crew of a Fairey Battle about to take off in an attempt to stem the German blitzkrieg. Underpowered, under armed and with an inadequate bomb load these aircraft were to provide target practice for Me 109s and anti-aircraft artillery whilst having little effect on the bridges they were sent to destroy. This airman was one of the lucky ones, he spent the next five years as a prisoner of war.
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After Dunkirk, 1940
This is one of a series of studies of the faces of combatants.
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The Rescue, 1941
A scene which was all too common in the wreckage of British towns and cities. Change the helmets and it may equally well reflect the experience of any of the countries enmeshed in the war.
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A Prisoner of War, 1941
A further study from the faces of conflict.
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Madagascar, 1942
The 2nd Royal Welch Fusiliers took part in the largest amphibious assault since Gallipoli when it landed on Madagascar. Although there was little serious fighting the campaign dragged on and was debilitating. The Fusiliers, destined for action against the Japanese, suffered so severely from malaria that they were diverted to South Africa for convalescence.
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North Africa, 1942
Flight Sergeant Beard flew Hurricanes in the Western desert. An Air Ministry press release stated: "...He has destroyed two Junkers 88s. In attacks on ground targets he has destroyed a searchlight and two gun positions. After chasing one Junkers 88 over the Eastern Mediterranean and raking it with gunfire, he hit the sea, breaking the tips of his propeller. The impact smashed his navigation instruments and the compass and wireless would not function, and though it was pitch dark he managed to steer a course to base by the stars."
Private collection -
Donbaik, 1943
The final, ill-advised attempt to seize the well prepared Japanese bunkers at Donbaik was made by men who were increasingly suffering from malaria. Artillery was ineffective against the bunkers and the attackers had to charge across open fields of fire. Once on top of a bunker they were exposed to fire from the others. They were impotent against the solid defences and exposed situation. One hundred and sixty two Royal Welch Fusiliers died attempting an impossible task with no reward.
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No 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando, 1942-4
This was the largest of Britain's raiding units. Composed of volunteers from Europe's occupied countries. This is one of eight plates produced for Osprey's Elite 142 "No 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando 1942-45"
© Osprey Publishing -
Reconnaissance Corps, 1944-5
Among other theatres of war the Recce Corps fought in North-West Europe in light armoured vehicles and on foot. Their role was to be in the forefront of British forces. This and the following image appear in Osprey's Elite 152 "The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War Two".
© Osprey Publishing -
Reconnaissance Corps, 1944
The Recce Corps also had an Airborne Squadron. It took part in the Arnhem landings where Major Gough, the figure with headphones, provided inspiring leadership.
© Osprey Publishing -
Walcheren, 1944
Royal Marine Commandos made the initial attack on Walcheren, the fortified island in the Scheldt which prevented navigation of the river to the port of Antwerp. Royal Marine gun and rocket craft of the Support Squadron battled at point-blank range with German shore-based batteries at the cost of very heavy casualties. Their contribution distracted the defenders and eased the way for the Commandos.
© Aonix Ltd -
Geilenkirchen, 1944
In support of the US Army, the 5th Dorsetshire Regiment attacked successfully and with few casualties a suburb of the town. Following through the next day, with their armour bogged down, they were trapped by Panzer Grenadiers and artillery. Pinned down through that day and over night they held the wood against heavy attacks to enable relief troops to come forward and push the Germans back. The Divisional Commander named the area "Dorset Wood".
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Dinant, 1944-5
As part of the British response to 'Autumn Mist', the German Code name for the Battle of the Bulge, the 12th Devons, in England, ceased their Christmas preparations, recalled those on leave, and sailed for Belgium (taking their trussed turkeys with them). Their sector, Dinant, was relatively quiet but the rushed circumstances meant that without adequate camouflage clothing the men patrolled in hastily fashioned bedsheets.
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This Wretched Fellow
Based on an incident in an Armoured Regiment in 1944, this figure is a representative of the folly of war rather than an identifiable individual. "...suddenly a shot rang out and a fellow comes running, 'I think Cpl - is dead! I go over to the tank; the crew stand at the front looking sheepish; down the side of the tank, near the back, the body of this wretched fellow is squatting and next to him is the cooker, still burning. His hands are in his pockets and he is very dead. On examination it is very obvious that the accidental discharge of one round of machine gun from the neighbouring tank killed him straight out." From "None Had Lances" Leonard Willis, 1986
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N. Ireland, 1972
The 1st Battalion Devonshire and Dorset Regiment undertook a number of tours in Northern Ireland including one as a Resident Battalion (a two year placement). In the early 70s riot control equipment was still in its infancy - a combination of hurriedly purchased flack jackets and adapted helmets - and troops went in close quarter situations carrying the minimum of kit. Tactics were being developed literally on the streets.
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N. Ireland, 1977
The headwear of this figure indicates a period of lessening tensions in Northern Ireland. This does not mean that it was an easy period or a soft option - the M1952 flack jacket and the method of attaching the rifle sling to the wrist to prevent loss in crowd control situations indicate a continuing awareness of the knife edge they trod.
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The Briefing (detail), 1980s
Northern Ireland, mid 1990s, an under cover group are briefed for the forthcoming operation.
In the collection of the Intelligence Corps -
Bosnia, 1995
One incident in the Total Exclusion Zone, above Gorazde: a patrol of the Royal Welch Fusiliers has found a group of Serb soldiers with a large stash of weapons, which was against the terms of the TEZ "...I informed the Serb commander that I was taking his weapons... and the situation immediately became very tense... he was not going to give up his weapons without a struggle... so I ordered Fusilier R to cock his weapon, a General Purpose Machine Gun - a formidable weapon... This had the desired effect, and the Serbs backed down..." LCpl John Dykins in "White Dragon"
