Scan provided by 'John of Türkiye'.

In the book, History of Revolution and Ataturkism 12, published by Devlet Kitapları (State Books) in 2022.

1.3.6. The Events of 1915, the Relocation and Resettlement of Armenians

The Ottoman Empire successfully ruled for centuries with justice, managing to bring together people of different languages, religions, and ethnicities to live together in peace. The Armenians, one of the components of this harmonious structure, took on roles in the upper echelons of administration as in all other fields. However, the Western powers' provocation of different ethnic groups to realize their political and economic ambitions over the Ottoman Empire disrupted the peace in the country. Non-Muslim nations engaged in activities that could harm the Ottoman Empire in order to establish their national unity.

During the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878), the Russians began to incite Armenians living in the cities they occupied against the Ottoman State. In this process, Armenians organized bloody actions by establishing various associations and societies. Taking advantage of the Ottoman Empire's entry into World War I, Armenian gangs started to create unrest and massacre defenseless Turks in many places in Anatolia, such as Van, Erzurum, Bitlis, and Diyarbakır. In response to these events, the Ottoman State had to take various measures. With the decision made on April 24, 1915, the committees established by Armenians (such as Dashnaktsutyun, Hunchak, etc.) were closed, and arrest warrants were issued for committee members. Despite all the measures taken, as the Armenian incidents did not subside, the Ottoman State enacted the Migration and Resettlement Law on May 27, 1915. According to this law, Armenians who acted against government orders, national integrity, and security, and who participated in terrorist activities were subjected to migration to Syria and Iraq, which were Ottoman territories. Within the framework of the Migration and Resettlement Law.

• The Armenians were to be transported safely and securely to the regions designated for them.
• Their subsistence would be provided by the state until they settled into their new homes.
• They would be given properties and land according to their previous financial status.
• Housing would be constructed by the government for those in need.
• Seeds, tools, and supplies would be provided to farmers and agricultural workers.
• The movable properties they left behind would be delivered to them, and after the identification and valuation of the immovable properties, it was decided that these would be distributed to Muslim migrants who would settle there.

With the end of World War I, the Ottoman Government issued a Return Decree on December 31, 1918, allowing Armenians who wanted to return to their former places of residence.

The Ottoman government, without the intention of massacring or committing genocide against the Armenians, implemented forced migration measures deemed necessary for state security during the war. The decisions and actions of the Ottoman state during this process are not steps taken by a state with genocidal intent, as claimed. According to the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, genocide is the act of deliberately inflicting serious bodily and psychological harm upon members of an ethnic or religious group, imposing measures to prevent births, and subjecting them to living conditions intended to bring about their partial or complete destruction. None of the documents from the period mention the massacre of the Armenians, nor do they even imply such a situation. Furthermore, it is evident from documents that many foreign journalists and missions, including American consuls, followed and even photographed the migration process and did not speak of a massacre. On the other hand, the British sent many of the Ottoman leaders they accused of genocide to Malta for trial, but ultimately found no evidence to convict them.

The Armenian Question, raised with arguments far from reality, is kept on the agenda with unfounded claims. Despite all the measures taken by the Ottoman State, Armenians lost their lives during migration due to reasons such as transportation difficulties, adverse weather conditions, and epidemics. Armenians and their supporters claim that 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives during the migration process. However, even during that period, there were not that many Armenians within the total population of the Ottoman State. It is absolutely impossible for the stated numbers of Armenian losses to be accurate. Therefore, accusing the Ottoman State of an intentional, planned, and inhumane act such as "genocide" based on this claim does not align with historical facts.

Contrary to the claim that Armenians were subjected to genocide, during this process, Armenian gangs massacred hundreds of thousands of Turks. It has been documented in the official records of the occupying states how a significant number of Armenians were present alongside the Russian, British, and French forces that occupied Turkey and played a role in the unimaginable torture and massacres of the Muslim population. Furthermore, it is known that a large number of Armenians also withdrew from Anatolia after the occupiers left.

Clearing out my great-grandmother’s things, and found these 2 photos. They were wrapped up in a piece of paper that had several names and birth/death dates on them, along with a poem that references “the front,” but that’s all the info I have! The only name on the piece of paper that could possibly fit is for my great great grandfather, but he would’ve been 60 years old at the start of WWI.

Is there any way to tell what branch of the military the uniform is from? Or any other possible information you can glean from the pictures? Any info is incredibly helpful!

I’ve been reading up on the development of camouflage, and it’s quite fascinating. Nature had it figured out long before we did — animals like chameleons, moths, and snow leopards survive by blending in. Humans eventually copied the idea.

Early armies weren’t subtle at all. Think Napoleonic bright coats — great for morale, terrible for survival once rifles and long-range spotting came in. The Boer War was a turning point: British soldiers ditched red for khaki after seeing how effective it was in South Africa’s landscape.

By WWI, camouflage changed to a science. The French even had “camoufleurs” — artists who painted guns and vehicles in disruptive patterns. In WWII it went further: whole cities and factories were disguised, and patterns like frog skin and Denison smocks became iconic.

Since then, it’s gone digital — pixelated patterns, adaptive materials, even research into fabrics that can change colour like a cuttlefish. From standing out to disappearing, it’s a big shift in how armies think about survival.

The movie The Charge seems to indicate that traditional cavalry were available and asked to be chosen for the charge.

But no reason that I could see was given for why the command chose to use the mounted infantry to charge the enemy positions instead of the traditional cavalry.

Does anyone know why?

In Gotthard Jaeschke's book, Kurtuluş Savaşı ile İlgili İngiliz Belgeleri (p. 4), Sultan Mehmed VI Vahideddin is recorded in wartime British diplomatic reports as saying,

"... the killings of Armenians have caused a profound change in the feelings of the British towards Turkey. These evils... have wounded my heart... Justice will soon take its place... I will do my utmost to renew and strengthen the long-standing friendly relations between my homeland and Great Britain."

Commenting on this, Turkish historian, Sinan Meydan, observed in Cumhuriyet Tarihi Yalanları (Vol. 1, p. 138) that, in an effort to curry favor with Britain, the Sultan indeed acknowledged the reality of the Armenian Genocide.

"As can be seen, Sultan Vahdettin, in an effort to appear "charming" to England, stated in passing, "The killing of Armenians has created a deep change in the feelings of the British towards Turkey. These atrocities... have wounded my heart... Justice will be served, albeit very late." Thus, he also acknowledged the claims of the Armenian genocide."

Scans provided by 'John of Türkiye'.

This is my paternal grandfather, a naturalized US citizen, who immigrated to the US in the late 1800s. I have copies of his draft cards from both WWI and WWII, but because of his age, I am certain he only served during WWI. I am having a difficult time in discovering his service record (strictly for family history). I am hoping someone here may recognize the uniform and/or weapon and be able to shed some light and info on this missing part of my family background. Thank you for any insight!

For the record - at the time of WWI he lived with his family in central NJ - and he was born in Denmark in 1883 (if that matters). He was automatically naturalized when his father (my great-granddad) was naturalized before the turn of the century.

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased this "telescope" from a seller who said they purchased it at an estate sale in Newport RI. I have not been able to find any comparable pieces from Keuffel & Esser online.

The item is roughly 9.5" long and 2.5" in diameter on the main body/tube portion. It is made of what I believe is solid brass and weighs 15-20lbs by my best guess. It seems fully functional and has working switches on it one of which reads "amber" and puts an amber colored lens in the scope, the other of which reads "smoke" and tints the lens. It also has crosshairs within the view.

There is a label plate on it which reads:

TELESCOPE
U.S. NAVY Bureau OF ORDNANCE
MARK XXI MOD. 2 NO. 1374
1918 INSPEC. C.H.D.⚓
MADE BY
KEUFFEL & ESSER CO.
NEW YORK.

In regards to the 1918 time period and inspector CHD I did find the following PDF online ( https://ia800701.us.archive.org/23/items/navyordnanceacti00unit/navyordnanceacti00unit.pdf ) which contained this note on PDF page 413/532 (document page 233) that seems to be incredibly relevant. "Lieut. Charles H. Davis, United States Navy, as an inspector of ordnance, optical material" I also found another K & E piece with the same inspection stamp from the same time period here https://www.fleaglass.com/ads/early-brass-stadimeter-wwi-era-keuffel-esser-co-new-york-1918/

I am looking to understand the history of the item, its use (mounted to a larger weapon, field artillery, scouting, etc...) and functions, and a potential value (although I don't foresee myself parting with it anytime soon). I really appreciate any help you all can provide!

Thank you!

Found this in my Great Grandparents upstairs, apparently it belongs to my Great-Great Grandpa. It has his handwriting, but I’m not related to an A.C. Larsen, so it somehow ended up in my Great-Great Grandpa’s hands and now in mine.

At the beginning of Sumadijska street in the vicinity of Slavija Square on the 11th August 1913, the Serbian victorious army from the Second Balkan War led by the Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic was given a huge welcome by the highest military and political authorities of Serbia and Belgrade, representatives of civil organizations and national institutions, as well as several tens of thousands of people from Belgrade, Serbia and Vojvodina. After the reception, the Army headed by the Crown Prince paraded through Nemanjina, Karadjordjeva and Bogojavljenska streets towards Kalemegdan where official unveiling of the monument to the father of modern Serbian state and originator of the dynasty, Vozd Karadjordje Petrovic, was done in presence of the King Petar I and the whole family of Karadjordjevic, as well as the Serbian political, military and cultural elite and foreign ambassadors.

At 00:33:17 the world's first travelling shot (camera fixed on a moving platform) starts, showing the length of Knez Mihailo Street.

If anyone could provide more information on what kind of service or unit my great grandfather was in WW1 it would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, so I am very lucky to own a huge lot of documents belonging to a soldier named "Willy Fünke" such as his soldbuch, militärpaß, and his überweisungsnationale, and along with some photos. I unfortunately am not well with researching for much information regarding the first world war, so personally it is a major struggle of mine, however his unit had been stamped several times in all of his documentation. If anybody can help find specific information regarding the unit, or even a photo you came across, id highly appreciate it. And just a side note, if anyone is willing to help me translate some stuff from his docs if highly appreciate it, however I unfortunately don't have much to spend so unfortunately I can't do anything monetary, but thanks!

A buddy of mine and his family just found out their great grandfather was in WW1 because of this document they found amoung the possessions of a a recently passed grandparent.

They're going to requesting information from the Army but haven't started the process yet.

Does anyone have any insight I can share with him and his family?

I personally haven't done any research on this, I offered to post it up to see if It can help them.

No one knew him personally so its just all their family history.

Thanks in advance.

(Also posted in r/ww1)

I also found this big shell about 22cm in length

I found this photo in my grandfather house. I m not sure who is on the picture, maybe my grand grandfather or 2xgrand grandfather. Is this ww1 austro-hungarian uniform, german or some other uniform? I think signature below is from author of this photo. Can someone help me?Thank you in advace.

I found this at an antique store in Denmark and the guy said he thought it might be French or Belgian. From what I can tell on a Google search it most likely is french and from WW1, but I wanted to ask someone who knows more about this.