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As we remember 100 years since the First World War, here are 20 iconic photos taken in the trenches and front lines. Photographers risked their lives alongside soldiers to bring the story of the war home.

Dubbed ‘The War To End War’, the WWI was a futile and wholly avoidable conflict.

Political meddling and nefarious ambition led to a war that claimed 17 million lives and left 21 million injured.

These 20 photos are our selection of the best from the trenches and front lines of the war. Watch the video for HD resolution or see the photos below.


Photos


1. British/ANZAC trench, Northern France

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Photo: Netherlands Nationaal Archief

2. Over the top

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Photo: John Warwick Brooke/National Library of Scotland

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3. The town of Gommecourt on the front line

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Photo: National Library of Scotland

4. A German soldier throws a hand grenade

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Photo: AP Photo


5. Brits at the Third Battle of Ypres

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Photo: James Francis Hurley

6. An aerial view of the Western Front

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Photo: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive



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7. Pill box demolishers

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Photo: Australian official photographs/State Library of New South Wales

8. A German prisoner with British soldier

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Photo: National Library of Scotland

9. British artillery bombards German positions on the Western Front

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Photo: Library of Congress

10. Soldiers in the trenches write letters home

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Photo: Unknown

11. Aerial view of the Somme Front

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Photo: NARA/U.S. War Dept.

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12. Gas attack on the Flanders front

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Photo: National Archive/Official German Photograph of WWI

13. Australian soldier rescues a comrade

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Photo: NARA/US War Dept

14. Slavic soldiers as the German cavalry broke through

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Photo: National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri

15. The 9th British Lancers charging German artillery

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Photo: REX USA/Underwood Archives / UIG / Rex

16. A wounded soldier receives treatment

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Photo: U.S. Army/U.S. National Archives

17. Chateau Woods, 3rd Battle of Ypres, 1917

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Photo: Frank Hurley

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18. French soldiers in a bayonet charge

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Photo: Agence de presse Meurisse

19. War Rations

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Photo: National Library of Scotland

20. Soldier at Grave

Gallipoli campaign memorial
Photo: PA Photos/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Let us never forget!

H/T: TheAtlantic.com