Life on the Front Line: Diaries, News, and Letters from the First World War, 1914-1919
First World War diaries, letters, and news bulletins from the Imperial War Museum
When we got to the section we were supposed to work in we couldn't find our R.Es. Suddenly Fritz began to send coal-box over, as each one exploded the ground shook and tumbledOfficers' Diaries, August 1914 - October 1919
Access the full collection
Get full access to Life on the Front Line: Diaries, News, and Letters from the First World War, 1914-1919.
Institutional Free Trial
Sign up for a FREE trialSingle User License
Purchase a license below to view the full collection.
Already have a license? Sign in to view the collection
Experience the tragedy and horrors of the First World War from those on the ground
This collection contains an assortment of letters, news bulletins and journals from British soldiers and military men during the First World War. As such, the material offers an absorbing, and often tragic, account of what life was like for British soldiers in the trenches. The subject matter includes descriptions of the long and intimidating journey to the front, of combat including shelling and trench battles, as well as of discussions of morale, discipline, and mental health. The files cover the crucial and infamous battles of the Somme and Ypres, as well as the battles of Loos, Arras, Vimy Ridge, and Bethune. The volumes are divided into military rank from Privates to General-Brigadiers, demonstrating how the experience of warfare differed depending on your position within the British military.
Furthermore, the collection contains diaries of those combatants captured by Central Power forces and offers a detailed look into the experience of prisoners of war from Germany to Turkey. The collection also contains non-combatant experiences of the First World War in the form of the diaries of a chaplain and French civilian living close to the frontline. Overall, the material gives a engrossing and heartbreaking account of the first-hand experience of the First World War.
Contents
Life on the Front Line: Diaries, News, and Letters from the First World War, 1914-1919...
First World War diaries, letters, and news bulletins from the Imperial War Museum
Discover
Volumes
Insights
- The French civilian's diary has been translated into English and typed in that language. His diary describes the effects of the conflict taking place around him between May and August 1916.
- These diaries are arranged by the military ranks of their authors. From officers, non-commissioned officers, privates, others including chaplains, and allied prisoners of war.
- The diaries from officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates focus on two conflict areas. The Battle of the Somme was a core focal point; as were the Second and Third Battles of Ypres.
- The non-combatant diaries in the 'Others' diaries' group includes those of a priest and of a French civilian in occupied France. The priest's diary describes how his role evolved from mourner and carer to moral support.
