New Eyes for the Army

Abstract

Trench warfare pushed armies to adapt to modern warfare. This process of innovation was often driven by the troops on the front line, who tried to survive and succeed on the battlefield. Understanding the terrain, finding enemy’s positions, and hiding from his eyes have always been the basic needs of an army, and all three received much attention during the conflict. Scientists provided new tools such a sound ranging, providing means to record the position of well-hidden enemy’s batteries; photographers recorded the landscape, contributing to the tactical and strategic intelligence; and artists use their skills to develop camouflage to hide the armies from the controlling eyes of enemy observers. The contribution from the ground of these three groups changed how armies perceived the battlefield, helping the development of modern warfare.