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The Motor Cyclist and the Magnetic Shell
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The Motor Cyclist and the Magnetic Shell
" The Motor Cyclist and the Magnetic Shell: A Military Fantasy" H. M. Batemans animated, slightly maniac style is perfectly suited to this sequential cartoon showing a motorcyclist being relentlessly pursued by a shell. The arbitrary and indiscriminate nature of shell fire, whether shrapnel or high explosive, was one of the hardest aspects of warfare to bear, and there was little infantry soldiers could do except try to find shelter. The resultant wounds could be horrifying, and yet, while a shell burst might dismember one man, another man close by might escape unharmed. Batemans nightmarish narrative suggests that some soldiers must have felt that certain shells had their name written on them. Date: 1917
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Media ID 7244861
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10582756
Artillery Bike Bikes Bullet Chase Chases Chasing Cyclist Cyclists Pursue Satire Satirical Shell Shelling Shells Sketches Warfare Ww 1
The Motor Cyclist and the Magnetic Shell - A Military Fantasy
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating and thought-provoking sequential cartoon created by H.M. Bateman in 1917. Bateman's animated, slightly maniacal style perfectly encapsulates the relentless pursuit of a motorcyclist by a menacing shell. This image offers a satirical take on the arbitrary and indiscriminate nature of shell fire during the First World War. Shelling was one of the hardest aspects of warfare to bear, with infantry soldiers having little control over the unpredictable and devastating effects of shrapnel or high explosive. The resultant wounds could be horrifying, and the randomness of shell bursts often left soldiers feeling helpless and vulnerable. Bateman's nightmarish narrative suggests that some soldiers may have felt that certain shells were destined to find them, adding an unsettling layer of personalization to the chaos of war. The motorcyclist in this image is shown attempting to outrun the pursuing shell, a futile effort in the face of the seemingly magnetic force drawing it closer. The absurdity of the situation is further emphasized by the bike's comically exaggerated features and the cartoonish depiction of the shell. Bateman's satirical sketches provided a much-needed reprieve from the grim realities of the war, offering a glimpse into the dark humor and resilience of the soldiers who endured it. This powerful and evocative image is a poignant reminder of the fear and uncertainty that accompanied the daily lives of soldiers during the First World War. The motorcyclist's desperate attempt to escape the relentless shell underscores the arbitrary nature of warfare and the indomitable spirit of those who faced it head-on.
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