Between Bridge and Lab

Wilhelm Langer and Helene (Nené) Nothmann-Zuckerkandl's lives were abruptly changed when Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. Wilhelm immediately reported for duty with Austria-Hungary's First Railroad Company, where he spent the entire war overseeing the construction of railroad bridges and other railway elements throughout the empire. Initially Nené worked as a Red Cross nurse in Prague. Later she served as a bacteriologist in the Austrian Alps, where she administered and...
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Wilhelm Langer and Helene (Nené) Nothmann-Zuckerkandl's lives were abruptly changed when Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. Wilhelm immediately reported for duty with Austria-Hungary's First Railroad Company, where he spent the entire war overseeing the construction of railroad bridges and other railway elements throughout the empire. Initially Nené worked as a Red Cross nurse in Prague. Later she served as a bacteriologist in the Austrian Alps, where she administered and worked to improve immunizations, and tended to other health and medical needs of troops, prisoners and civilians. Wilhelm and Nené's postcards and letters (the source material for this book) show their tenacity and determination as Austria-Hungary's confident start of the war turned to desperation when its infrastructure began to fail. The demands of the war were more than Austria-Hungary's economy could sustain, so Wilhelm, Nené, and their friends and family endured devastating shortages of food, fuel, clothing and uniforms. Despite the complications brought on by the war, daily life continued. Wilhelm and Nené's friendship blossomed into marriage, even though they continued to be stationed on opposite sides of the empire. Nené applied herself to procuring food, shoes and other daily necessities for herself, Wilhelm and their families. Wilhelm worked endless hours reconstructing bridges, blowing up bridges, building train stations, laying track and building roads, depending on the needs of Central Powers troops. As an amateur photographer, Wilhelm recorded the construction projects of his company both for official use and for his personal resumé. Between Bridge and Lab includes over 50 of his photographs plus numerous other postcards and photos from the era.