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Periscope

Contributed by Royal Ulster Rifles Museum Belfast

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These days periscopes are generally used for fun - if you are watching a big parade or taking part in an event when you want to see above the crowds. But this periscope played a life-saving role in the First World War in France. Troops fighting would have used periscopes like this to see out of their trenches. It meant they did not have to put their lives at risk by lifting their heads in front of the enemy.

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