Pictures Dated 12th April 2004

Blown-up bridge in Warsaw

A bridge over the Vistula at Warsaw, blown up by the Russians in their retreat through Poland. In May 1915, the combined forces of Austria-Hungary and Germany attacked the Russian army at Gorlice forcing the poorly-equipped Russians to retreat through Galicia and then Poland. As well as around 3/4 million Russian prisoners, the advance of the German army also made refugees of around 10 million.

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

The Lost Cunarder

Photograph of the 'Lusitania', 'a floating palace', torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat on May 7th 1915 with the loss of 1200 lives. As well as carrying a large cargo of munitions, the passengers included 100 neutral Americans. The incident was to play a part in bringing the United States into World War I.

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

The Church in the firing-line

A French soldier-priest ministering to his comrades under fire. In 1915, it was estimated that over 20, 000 priests served in the French army in some capacity. Services were often carried out in the trenches, and the priest would wear his surplice over his uniform where possible.

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

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