Here are this week’s interesting historical photos. For part 181, click here.
1. The Iran Iraq War 1980 – 88.
Often compared to the WWI due to the heavy use of trenches, artillery barrages, human wave attacks, and chemical weapons use. 800,000 Iranians and 300,000 Iraqi’s were killed. It remains the longest conventional war of the twentieth century.
2. The Cologne Cathedral stands amidst the ruins of the city after Allied bombings, 1944.
The cathedral suffered fourteen direct hits by aerial bombs during the war but did not collapse.
3. The last French duel: Members of Parliament René Ribière (Gaullist) and Gaston Defferre (Socialist) fought with a sword over an insult in Parliament from the latter to the former.
The arbiter was Gaullist Member of Parliament Jean de Lipkowski, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, 21 April 1967.
4. Hero of the Soviet Union, Major Nicholas Pinchuk returns to his native farm on holiday after the war, July-August 1945.
5. Empress Elisabeth of Austria, 1867.
6. The Great San Francisco Earthquake leaves the city in shambles, 18 April 1906.
The spire of the destroyed city hall is seen at a distance.
To 8: schiert, not schierl