An original 8.5x6" antique photo from a large estate collection of World War I US Signal Corps photographs. Professionally packaged in a rigid mailer for safe delivery.

Photo Overview

The image captures an outdoor church service taking place amidst the ruins of a destroyed church near Verdun, Meuse on October 18, 1918. A large group of soldiers from the 101st Field Signal Battalion, formerly the 1st Field Signal Battalion of Massachusetts, stands solemnly in a grassy area with the remains of the decimated church visible in the background. A chaplain or leader stands elevated on a stone, addressing the gathering.

This gathering occurs just weeks before the armistice that would end World War I, during a period of intense military engagement and reflection. The 101st Field Signal Battalion played a critical role in maintaining communication lines under combat conditions. The ruins symbolize the devastating impact of warfare on European landscapes and communities, making such services acts of both spiritual solace and cultural preservation.

Text Present

27518 (on the front)

126. "A HYMN BEFORE ACTION". (27518)
An outdoor church service held by men of the 101st Field Signal
Battalion (formerly the 1st Field Signal Battalion of Massachu-
setts), near the ruins of a church destroyed by shell fire near
Verdun, Meuse. October 18, 1918. (on the back)

Condition: Fair to good vintage condition. Please see photos for scans of the surface. Some of the images in this set have light smudges, remnants from pieces of tape from being displayed, and other age imperfections.