Ruines de Lille (Ruins of Lille) Ypres, vue generale (View of Ypres/Ieper), Panoramic Photo Co. (attributed to), c. 1918

gelatin silver print, h c.224mm × w c.927mm More details

The industrial mechanised manner of warfare in the First World War wrought unprecedented destruction. Cities such as Lille suffered severe damage. The Belgium town of Ieper (Ypres) had been in the frontline for four years and was almost completely destroyed. This devastation was captured in panoramic images. The initial clearing up of the debris can be seen in both photographs.