British soldiers firing captured German guns, near Bapaume, France, during World War I. This picture of a British officer firing a captured heavy gun was almost certainly posed for propaganda purposes, rather than being taken during any real fighting. The soldiers looking on appear relaxed and cheerful, and stand out in the open. They do not seem concerned about the possibility of returned fire. Many German weapons and men were captured in the successful British advance on Bapaume in August 1918. By this stage the opposing German forces were in full retreat. [Original reads: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON THE BRITISH WESTERN FRONT IN FRANCE. Our advance on Bapaume. A captured battery of German 4.2 guns. Our boys are firing the foremost ones into his lines.']