Ak ja, "krigen, der skulle ende alle krige", blev den første globale - og industrialiserede - krig og med et ufatteligt tabstal.

På en vestfront, der i lange perioder ikke rykkede sig meget, fandt begge sider det hensigtsmæssigt at flytte personel og materiel pr. 600 mm jernbane - "Trench Railways" hhv. "Feldbahnen":

A group of Australian pioneers returning by light railway to their dugouts near Ypres, after having been engaged on work near the front line. Note the large crater filled with water in the foreground. Maker: Hurley, James Francis (Frank). Place: Belgium, Flanders, West-Vlaanderen, Ypres. Date: 1 November 1917. Australian War Memorial - E01216.

Lokomotivet er et amerikansk 1-C-1T ALCO. De små damplokomotivers røgfaner tiltrak artilleriets granater, hvorfor begge sider indførte motorlokomotiver - som f.eks dette engelske:

A diesel or petrol powered Simplex, 40 horse power armoured locomotive tractor with the serial number LR2275, which was manufactured by The Motor Rail & Tramcar Company, Limited in Bedford England. This batch of 115 locomotives were provided with an armour plated body allowing usage in areas exposed to enemy fire. 20 of these locomotives were allocated to the Australian light railway operating companies. Note that the engine access doors have been opened to show the engine and the back of the operators seat is visible inside. Maker: Unknown. Place: Western Front. Date: c 1917-1918. Australian War Memorial - P03608.015.

Simplex'en var mekanisk, men British Westinghouse Ltd. og Dick Kerr Ltd. udviklede en "Petrol-Electric" type.

Historisk kan vi konstatere, at græsselige konflikter medfører teknologispring .....

Med stille hilsener
Niels