Legacies of the First World War: Building for total war 1914-1918

Historic England investigated the physical remains left behind by the First World War in England from 2014-18. It reveals how the home front became as important as the battlefront, with training, armaments, and food production taking place. Archaeological remains include trench lines, munitions works, government factories, army and PoW camps, airfields, and airship stations. The threat of invasion led to the construction of defenses down the east and south coasts, and ships and smaller vessels were lost to mines, torpedoes, and gunfire.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 256 pages
\n Publication date: 15 September 2018
\n Publisher: Historic England
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The First World War, often referred to as the first total war, was a monumental conflict that saw nations mobilize their entire populations and resources towards achieving victory. In a remarkable initiative spanning from 2014 to 2018, Historic England embarked on a mission to uncover and meticulously study the physical remnants left behind in England by this historic conflict. The scope of what was discovered is truly awe-inspiring, showcasing the profound impact of the war on both the battlefront and the home front.

The home front assumed an unprecedented significance, becoming a central hub for training and equipping new armies, manufacturing armaments, providing medical care for the wounded, and boosting food production to support the war effort. As millions of men enlisted in the armed forces, women took on crucial roles in munitions factories, as tram and bus conductresses, and even in agricultural fields.

Archaeological evidence reveals the existence of practice trench lines, munitions works, government factories, army and PoW camps, airfields, and airship stations, all testament to the scale and complexity of the war's impact on the landscape. However, England's involvement in the conflict extended beyond its shores as German warships and submarines launched devastating attacks on coastal towns, while Zeppelin airships and later bomber aircraft brought death from the skies. The threat of invasion prompted the construction of defensive fortifications along the east and south coasts, and the sea bed began to yield the remnants of this almost forgotten battlefield, with ongoing efforts to explore and uncover the wrecks that lie beneath the waves.

A century after the First World War, the legacy of this great endeavor remains evident. This new book serves as a compilation of these remarkable discoveries, paying tribute to the unwavering courage and sacrifice of those who served in the armed forces, as well as to the countless individuals on the home front who contributed in myriad ways to support the war effort. The stories of these individuals, their triumphs, and their hardships, remind us of the profound impact of this historic conflict on the world we live in today.

\n Weight: 1310g\n
Dimension: 281 x 225 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781848022881\n \n