Imperial War Museum Opens New Exhibits to Honor WWI

Monday, July 28, 2014 marks the 100th commemoration of the opening of hosititles for the First World War. In the five years that followed, millions would die in a conflict that would involve all of the world’s great western powers. The occasion is an opportunity to honor the dead while examining the consequences and the horrible waste of the war.

With history-centric tourism always an attraction option for the more inquiring travelers, the events and longterm installations dealing with the WWI centenary offer a perfect opportunity to explore both history and how a war shaped the present.

Throughout the UK, special exhibits and new memorials recall those who fought and died in what was then called The Great War. There’s a sense of the historical significance of the war recognition and a desire to pay respects to those who fought. But, there’s also a sense of grieving — of loss and shame — as a 21st century perspective examines the tragic loss of so many lost lives.

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The epicenter for London’s commemoration is the Imperial War Museum and its main city complex in the southeast region of the city. Dominated by a new atrium featuring full-size aircraft, a Nazi V2 rocket and other machines of war, the IWM returned to full operation just in time for the WWI remembrances.

When the war started 100 years ago today, soldiers on either side had no idea of the carnage they were walking into in Belgium and France. Conflicts had been traditionally fought by infantry and cavalry on horseback. Battles were decided by muskets, swords and single cannon shots. 

WWI saw the dawn of a more evolved war powered by machine guns and tanks. Horses and cavalry charges had no chance against weapons like that. When out of date tactics met mechanized destruction, the result was disastrous. In the first six months of WWI, Great Britain’s army lost more than 1 million men. 

When the British Expeditionary Force left England for mainland Europe, the troops and their families back home expected a quick and decisive win. After those nightmarish first few months, it became obvious such a victory was impossible. Five years of evolving weapons and trench warfare would leave more than 16 million dead and 20 million wounded — wiping out a generation of promise and potential wisdom before it had a chance to accomplish anything more than dying in the mud.

More importantly, the treaties that ended WWI would create a climate of bitter resentment allowing Adolf Hitler and the Nazis to drive a Second World War that would kill another 60 million people. 

The Imperial War Museum’s WWI presentations make all of this clear. But, there were also heroic sacrifices during that period at home and in Europe. The exhibits salute that spirit alongside the acknowledgement that the war was tragic.

Amazing, travelers can take in the IWM’s elite collection artifacts for free. For history-driven tourists, the museum should serve as their first stop in the coming year.

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