Westfront 1918 is a 1930 German anti-war film that tells the story of four German soldiers on the western front in France in World War One. The Bavarian sees the war primarily as an adventure. The Student experiences his first great love with the Frenchwoman Yvette. Their superior, the Lieutenant, knows only one thing, namely duty fulfillment. When Karl, the fourth in the league, returns to the front after a home leave in which he surprises his wife with another man in bed, the four fall victim to their fate.
The movie was based on the novel Vier von der Infanterie by Ernst Johannsen, which was also the German subtitle and was released before All Quiet on the Western Front in Germany.
The following weapons were used in the film Westfront 1918:
A French soldier can be seen with a Ruby pistol during a trench raid.
Rifles
Mauser Gewehr 1898
The Mauser Gewehr 1898 is the standard weapon for the German infantry in the movie including the Bavarian (Fritz Kampers), Karl (Gustav Diessl), and the Student (Hans-Joachim Moebis). During the last charge, German soldiers were seen advancing with G98s with fixed Seitengewehr 98/05 bayonets.
Mauser Gewehr 1871
Many Mauser Gewehr 1871 are seen in the German artillery bunker and in the hands of French and German soldiers.
Chassepot Mle. 1866
The majority of French soldiers are seen armed with old single-shot Chassepot 1866 rifles, recognizable by the smooth receiver that differentiates it from the improved Gras Model 1874.
Lebel Mle. 1886
A Lebel 1886 rifle can also be briefly seen near a trench.
Machine Guns
Maxim MG 08/15
A Maxim MG08/15 is used by German soldiers. Karl briefly fires the gun before he gets wounded.
German soldiers use correct Model 17 Stielhandgranates which are identifiable by the belt clip and star-shaped screw cap. The Leutnant (Lieutenant) (Claus Clausen) is seen with a bundle before the counterattack.