World War 1. Eerste Wereld Oorlog. Eerste Wereld Oorlog. World War 1914-1918. War Posters. World War I in Photos: Introduction. A century ago, an assassin, a Serbian nationalist, killed the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary as he visited Sarajevo. This act was the catalyst for a massive conflict that lasted four years. More than 65 million soldiers were mobilized by more than 30 nations, with battles taking place around the world. Industrialization brought modern weapons, machinery, and tactics to warfare, vastly increasing the killing power of armies.
Battlefield conditions were horrific, typified by the chaotic, cratered hellscape of the Western Front, where soldiers in muddy trenches faced bullets, bombs, gas, bayonet charges, and more. A century ago, an assassin, a Serbian nationalist, killed the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary as he visited Sarajevo. WORLD WAR ONE TRENCH WARFARE.
The Battle of Verdun. World War I in Photos: Aerial Warfare. Sobering Images Show Famous World War I Battle Sites A Century Later.