A bristling forest of bayonets. Russian troops on review

A bristling forest of bayonets. Russian troops on review

18689

In this array of bayonetted rifles stretching as far as the eye can look, one sees the evidence of the spirit of militarism which animated all the imperialistic nations of Europe for many years before the World War. In this race for military superiority Russia fully kept pace with Germany and Austria-Hungary, having a peace time army of about two million men, with as many more trained reserves. The upkeep of such huge armies was a very heavy financial and economic burden on the nations maintaining them and it is to be hoped that after the terrible lesson of the World War such armies will never again be brought into existence. Nevertheless, conditions being as they were, it was fortunate for the democratic nations of the world that Russia's armies were so large and that they did so well on the Eastern front immediately after Germany and Austria declared war in 1914. Otherwise Germany might have gathered enough troops in the West to have overwhelmed France and Great Britain before they could have brought their full strength into the field. Russia suffered terrible defeats but she also won great victories under such able generals as the Grand Duke Nicholas, General Brussilov and General Russky. She forced the Germans and Austrians to keep great masses of troops in the East and so enabled France and England to develop their full power on the Western front and to hold it until 1918, when the United States came into the war with enough men to finally turn the scales.

1 stereograph : b&w

1 gelatine silver print stereograph (8 x 15 cm) mounted on card (9 x 18 cm)

Copyright. The Keystone View Company

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World War through the stereoscope