Australian soldiers blinded in a German gas attack at an aid station near Villers-Bretonneux, France; May 27, 1918.

The differences in their body language is really interesting. You have everything from just totally dejected to a couple guys who might as well just be laying out sunbathing for all the concern they’re displaying.

The Germans were using mustard gas at Villers-Bretonneux. A mild dose would result in the eyelids swelling up to the point where the casualty would be temporarily blinded, more severe exposure could damage their eyes to the point where they’d be blind permanently.

December 5, 2014 | Categories: European History, European Warfare 1789-1918, History, History of Science and Technology, Human History, Images of History, Life under siege, Lost the Battle, Won The War, Military History, Modern Warfare, Photography, Pursuit of Happiness, The Drama Of It All, World War One | Tags: Australian soldiers, black and white photography, body language, Europe, France, German, Germany, historic, Historical, History, human history, Military, Military history, mustard gas, Photo, Photography, Villers-Bretonneux, War, Warfare, World History, World War One, WW1, WWI | Leave a comment