WWI German War Memory Booklet – “Wo wir Anno 1914/15 Waren” with Field Illustrations

This remarkable World War I-era German memory booklet, "Wo wir Anno 1914/15 waren" (Where We Were in the Years 1914–15), serves as a printed tribute to the military campaigns of the early war years. Edited by F. Adrian, the booklet is a historically rich piece that combines evocative field illustrations with sentiments of remembrance.

The front cover features bold, period-style text with rope-tied binding, giving it a personal, soldier-made appearance. Inside, the introduction page translates to: “Memories of the Campaign. Edited by F. Adrian. All villages were destroyed in 1914/15 by the French.” This statement sets a reflective tone, capturing the harsh devastation endured by rural regions during the conflict.

Illustrations depict locations such as MametZ and Schloß Conflansmaison, each rendered in a hauntingly peaceful style. The etched or printed imagery highlights the ruins of buildings and homes, which were often subject to artillery fire and occupation during the Western Front campaigns.

• Binding: Cord-tied, softboard covers

• Pages: Contains multiple illustrated pages (unverified total)

• Condition: Moderate age toning and foxing present throughout; structurally intact

• Publisher Marking: Haassche Druckerei, Tieddruck, Mannheim appears on the back cover

Historical Context:
These types of albums were either distributed to soldiers or purchased as commemorative keepsakes. The included ruins such as Mametz and Conflansmaison are symbolic of the areas along the Somme and Aisne where brutal engagements occurred in 1914–15.

Collector’s Note:
This piece offers great visual storytelling for WWI enthusiasts and German militaria collectors, particularly those drawn to trench art, wartime publications, and soldier-made memorabilia.

Display Suggestion:
Frame open to a selected illustration or mount in a shadowbox alongside WWI medals or soldier photographs for a compelling presentation of early 20th-century battlefield memory.