The group that faded away - that Don was probably referring to - was found here:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/SPWW1mod/
So if you do build your own mod, they have some OOBs and icons etc that you can download here:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/SPWW1mod/files/
I believe there was another group that attempted a WWI mod, but I don't think they got as far as the guys linked above.
Cross