7 Interesting Facts About WW1

World War I remains one of the most devastating conflicts in human history, claiming the lives of millions and leaving an enduring imprint on society. Its profound impact reverberates through generations, shaping the course of history and influencing the structure of our world. Here are 7 interesting facts about it!

1. Trench Foot

Mirrorpix / Getty Images

During World War I, many soldiers lost their legs from a condition known as "trench foot," which often led to serious complications including amputations and even death. The primary cause of trench foot was not directly related to being shot or injured by explosions as many would expect, but rather to the harsh conditions experienced in the trenches. Soldiers were frequently subjected to standing in cold, wet conditions for prolonged periods of time, which led to significant breakdown of the skin and tissues on their feet. This breakdown increased the risk of infection, further exacerbating the condition. Due to the challenging circumstances, proper treatment was often difficult to obtain. It's estimated that trench foot claimed the lives of approximately 75,000 British soldiers and around 2,000 American soldiers during World War I.

2. Explosions in France were heard in London

Rare Historical Photos

One notable phenomenon of this global conflict was the ability to hear explosions from the battlefields of France all the way to the streets of London. This was just a testament to the immense scale and intensity of World War I and the remarkable ability of sound waves to travel across vast distances under certain conditions.

3. The last veteran

Blake Ezra Photography

It is believed that the last veteran of the First World War was surprisingly an English woman named Florence Beatrice Green. Florence served as a member of the Women's Royal Air Force, joining when she was 17 years old. Born on February 19, 1901, she lived to the remarkable age of 110, passing away on February 4, 2012. Her service in the Women's Royal Air Force marked her as a significant figure in the history of the war, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of women during that time.

4. Tanks had genders

Imperial War Museums

During WW1, British tanks were assigned a gender - 'male' or 'female', but this classification was not determined by the type of armament they carried. Instead, these designations were based on whether the tanks had sponsons, which were small, protruding structures located on the sides of the tank. Male tanks were equipped with sponsons containing heavier weapons such as cannons. Female tanks lacked sponsons and instead were armed with machine guns These genders based classifications were primarily used by the British Army for organizational purposes.

5. 19 year old caused the WW1

The Collector

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914, is often cited as the spark that ignited World War I.. At the center of this pivotal event was a 19-year-old Bosnian Serb named Gavrilo Princip.

Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated by Princip while traveling in their motorcade. Princip, armed with a pistol, seized the opportunity when the motorcade took a wrong turn, bringing the Archduke's car within close range. In a moment of chaos, Princip fired shots, fatally wounding both the Archduke and his wife. Austria-Hungary, seeking retribution, issued an ultimatum to Serbia, blaming the Serbian government for the attack and demanding severe concessions. Serbia's response did not satisfy Austria-Hungary, leading to the outbreak of World War I.

6. An elephant also fought in WW1

Rare Historical Photos

One of the most intriguing military personnel during World War I was an elephant named Lizzie. Originally a circus performer, Lizzie found herself thrust into a new role with the outbreak of the war. Instead of entertaining crowds with tricks, she was tasked with a vital job on the battlefield. Lizzie's duties included carrying weapons, munitions, and other heavy equipment, especially when horses were unable to bear the weight. Her strength and endurance made her invaluable to the military efforts during the war.

7. The yellow women

Wikipedia

The term "Yellow Women" referred to the women who labored in munition factories throughout Europe and the US during the war. Their nickname derived from the distinctive color of the explosive material, picric acid, used in shell production, which often stained their skin and clothing. Many of them faced excruciating conditions, exposure for prolonged hours to toxic chemicals, which lead to health complications. Despite their significant contributions, their story may have been overshadowed by the larger narratives of the WW1, but their sacrifice deserves to be remembered and honored.

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, check out our website for more content!