Posted 9 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
The first one, titled After The Great Companions, is possibly of Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross, or Lady Liberty taking on the role of a nurse for the U.S. soldier killed in action, flags of countries involved in the war hanging over him in remorse and honor, herself saying a prayer up to Heaven for him as she holds in her hand...???
The second is called The Convoy and features what looks like a regular warship (there are a couple, but look closely to not miss the one nearest the viewer!) and a Super-Dreadnought, all dazzle-painted for the British Navy.
Dazzle-painting in colors was popular by the British Navy in WW1, the US Navy preferring zebra-like colours. Nonetheless, it isn't well-known.
Essentially, the confusing lines were meant to confuse enemy gunners trying to judge speed, range, size, and other things to allow them to blow the ships out of the water.
This style of painting ships is still around today, although it is rare.
These are from a pictorial review of the war, 1919.