The disparity in the number of nations arrayed against the Central Powers was a common motif, and was updated as the numbers on each side increased. Italy's entry into the war on May 23, 1915 changed the numbers again.
Central Powers (top) Sultan Mohammed V of Turkey, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, Kaiser Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary. Allies (center and bottom rows) Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, King George V of the United Kingdom, President Raymond Poincaré of France, King Nikola of Montenegro, King Peter of Serbia, King Victor Emmanuel of Italy, King Albert I of Belgium, Emperor Taishō of Japan.
In the center, a poem: Drei gegen Acht, Three against Eight.
Drei gegen Acht.
Gebt Acht, Ihr “Acht”, es blitzt und kracht
und schlägt manch’ schwere Lücke.
Jung-Siegfrieds Schwert schlug unversehrt
Den Ambosz einst in Stücke.
Und Treue, Mut und Einigkeit
Geb’ uns zum Siege das Geleit.
- Richard Ott
Three against eight
Take heed, your "night" flashes and crashes
And suggests some serious gap.
Young Siegfried's sword split the anvil
Yet stayed intact.
And loyalty, courage and unity
Will lead us to victory.
Reverse:
Postmarked Frankfurt, July 21, 1915
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