Haunting photos of World War I reveal how little Europe has changed in 100 years

[mystery-ak]

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/images-world-war-devastation-overlaid-modern-photos-france/

Haunting photos of World War I reveal how little Europe has changed in 100 years

BY TRAVIS DAUB  April 8, 2014 at 12:12 PM EDT

The numbers reveal the horror of the Great War: Sixty-five million soldiers fought. Nine million killed in combat. Nearly 20 million wounded. 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, the conflict that reshaped Europe, redefined international power structures, introduced the U.S. as a global superpower and fundamentally changed the role government played in people’s everyday lives.

Photographer Peter Macdiarmid collected modern photos from around Europe and overlaid World War I-era images, giving a sense of how much–and how little–has changed since the War to end all Wars.


The town hall and belfry of Arras, France is seen from the main square in this archive photo of destruction wrought during WWI. The date of the photo is unknown, but the belfry was destroyed on October 21, 1914. Medieval tunnels under the city, which were expanded during the war, were pivotal in helping British forces to hold the city. 2014 photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images. Archive photo by Roger Viollet/Getty Images


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[PzLdr]

Rommel fought a battle outside Arras in 1940, while commanding 7th Panzer. First use in WW II of 88s in the anti-tank role.

[mountaineer]

One thing I appreciate when visiting European cities is how so much is the same as it's been for hundreds of years, and even where wars have done extensive damage or destruction, the rebuilding in many places resembles the original.

[Howie66]

How cool!