17. Mine Craters Combres Hill. (scene of some of bitterest fighting of the war an active sector for four years), 1918/19

Plate 17. Mine Craters Combres Hill, from an album of World War I aerial photography assembled by Edward Steichen, in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Plate 17, from an untitled album of World War I photographs, 1918/19

Gelatin silver print
Gift of William Kistler, 1977.693

The craters seen in this image exist to this day and are nearly 200 feet in diameter.

Inscribed recto, on album page, lower left, in black/brown ink: “Mine Craters Combres Hill. / (Scene of some of bitterest fighting of the war / an d [crossed out] active sector for four years.)”; printed recto, on album page, lower right, in black ink: “Photographic Section. / Air Service. American Expeditionary Forces.”; inscribed recto, on album page, lower right, in blue ink: “17”; unmarked verso