Audio tour World War I

This toy soldier set was purchased in the early 1920's by William Berl as a gift for his son. Berl served on the Mexican Border in 1916 and later in the 59th Pioneers Infantry during World War I. He spoke fluent French and often served as a translator.  Later he would become Adjutant General for Delaware and Selective Service Director during World War I. 

This elaborate toy set includes many details depicting trench warfare during the Great War, later called World War One). Tap on the photo and zoom into to see the details in this toy diorama.

The Delaware Military Museum opened its doors to the public for the first time in the autumn of 2017. Our first exhibit featured the centennial observation of the Great War.. America declared war in April 1917. Delaware shipyards built numerous ships, and the DuPont Company, manufactured gunpowder in support of the war. Many Delaware citizens mobilized to include the Delaware National Guard Regiment, and the 58th Infantry Pioneers who deployed to France and fought in the Meuse-Argonne campaign to victory over Germany. 

What started World War One? The spark that set off the War was the assassination on June 28, 1914 of the heir to the Austrian-Hungry throne by a fanatical Bosnian nationalist in Sarajevo Bosnia,. The Austro-Hungarian Government sent an ultimatum to Serbia, making demands that were rejected. The Austrian-Hungarian Government, supported by Germany, then declared war on Serbia. Russia supported Serbia. Fearing a fully mobilized Russia on its Eastern front, Germany's ability to prevail depended on defending against France which was an ally of Russia. So, on August 2nd Germany invaded Luxembourg, which is bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east and France to the south. Other nations were soon brought into the conflict. Included were Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the United States. These nations were referred to as the "Allied" nations. The Allies fought against the Central Powers which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria. Battles waged in the Middle East, Asia, and almost every ocean, About sixty five million were mobilized of whom ten million were killed. France lost sixteen percent of its male population. No previous war in history approached this magnitude. Its legacy was the triumph of communism in Russia, fascism in Italy, national socialism in Germany, planting the seeds to World War II. For more facts on World War One click on the video link, below.