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Dummy heads rising above the side of a trench, WW1
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Dummy heads rising above the side of a trench, WW1
Four dummy heads of British soldiers rising above the side of a trench during the First World War, to deceive potential snipers. Date: 1914-1918
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Media ID 7183829
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10528721
Deceive Deception Decoy Dummy Heads Rising Sniper Snipers Trench War Time Ww 1
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the British soldiers during the First World War as they employ the use of dummy heads to deceive potential snipers. Dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the use of decoys was a common tactic employed by soldiers to mislead enemy snipers and protect their own lives. In this photograph, taken between 1914 and 1918, we see four dummy heads of British soldiers rising above the side of a trench. Each dummy head wears a helmet, giving the appearance of real soldiers manning the trench. The use of these dummies was a clever ruse designed to draw enemy fire away from the real soldiers hidden below. The officer in charge of this tactic would carefully position the dummies in a visible location, making them appear as if they were actively engaging in combat. The use of tin heads was a cost-effective and practical solution for creating decoys, as they were lightweight, easily transportable, and could be quickly and easily replaced if damaged. The First World War was a time of great innovation and adaptation, with soldiers and commanders constantly seeking new ways to gain the upper hand. The use of dummy heads was just one of many tactics employed during this global conflict, which lasted from 1914 to 1918 and claimed the lives of millions. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the ingenuity and determination of the soldiers who fought in this war, and the lengths they went to protect themselves and their comrades from the threat of enemy snipers.
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