Some WWI pics

[CINDERS]

Some have been seen before there are a few newies but all convey one thing devastation.
Better stop PL from jumping in that armoured train carriage as it has lots in there.
World War I in Photos: Technology - The Atlantic

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[Roger Payne]

Thanks Cinders. I'm pretty keen on this subject but there are lots of photo's there that I've never seen before. Some of the comments are also very interesting.

ATB.

[CINDERS]

I am starting to build my WWI section up in my modest collection in 1st Ed's where I can but some are impossibly priced or hours trolling the net for that bargain that happens once and a while it has taken me nearly 37 years to get a smidgin of what's out there I try to concentrate mainly on Australian with other important battles like Jutland, Loos, Mons etc.
Common knowledge or a saying is WWI was where 19th Century tactics met 20th century weapons, it was the backward planning of a stalemate warfare, probably for Australia Gallipoli stands out as a rather dim show along with Pozieres, but every nation involved in that conflict had battles they would rather forget.

One thing is for certain it stripped the Commonwealth of its youth and rather drastically in that instance, Australia suffered in the sense of a small population and the men just could not be replaced, Billy Hughes tried twice for conscription but failed still the pics were put up to portray some of the innovations tried out some a hilarious like the 2 Germans pedalling to nowhere and the sombre with the tank crew and the AA truck.
Glad you liked them.

[Roger Payne]

We'd need a separate forum to discuss the First World War in any great depth, but I hear what you say. I gather even the Aussie troops on The Western Front voted against conscription; perhaps they felt that if their lives were going to be on the line they'd rather be backed up by a mate who had volunteered to enter the fray, not one who was there because he had no other choice.

Many of the problems during the offensives on the WF were caused by the rapid development in the means of killing not being equalled by rapid means of communication; hence failures were reinforced because of the delay in informing the Red Tabs running the show what was really going on. Conversely, when opportunities appeared (the initial advance to find High Wood totally unoccupied is one example), it took so long to get orders through to push on & take advantage of the situation that by then the advantage had gone! Contrast that with British infantry of 1945 being able to call down artillery support within 30 seconds. Of course, there's much more to it than just this, but it is an important factor.

ATB.

[browningautorifle]

I would support a forum...

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I friend e-mailed me this link today. Very good post!
Thanks!

[Brian Dick]

Hey Rog, this thread makes me think of the dig we visited near Fromelle in 2009 and the two Canadian graves with my namesakes in the little moated cemetery not far from there. I think the Aussies had a ceremony in 2010 when the bodies had been removed and buried properly. I saw an article in SAR when they still had a monthly magazine. I'll have to try and find it again. Brian

[Roger Payne]

Hey Brian, that was an enjoyable few days. The cemetery you're thinking of is probably Le Trou Aid Post. It is one of my favourites; so pretty & peaceful, with the little moat that entirely surrounds it, with the willows hanging down.....

When you're next over we'll take a more detailed look at what is still left of the Western Front. There's plenty more to see, as I'm sure you know.

ATB.

[CINDERS]

Fromelle was Australia's darkest day on the WF and stupidly wasted troops by inept planning the Germans could watch the whole lot right through to the rear @5,500 casualties as our troops advanced in the open against perfectly sited machine guns set up for grazing fire our lads fell like corn to a scythe, the Germans actually set up a small railway to move the bodies to those graves where Patrick Lindsay discovered them.
The troops bodies were recovered in the book Fromelle which I have posted pics in case you want to get a copy

[Roger Payne]

I was at the initial opening ceremony when the first of the bodies were buried. I think Brian's right in that it was probably 2010; my memory has never been great & it's not improving with age! It was certainly in January; cold & with a little light snow on the ground. Both British & Australian troops provided the full military honours. The January event was overshadowed by the later more elaborate opening in the July, when the final bodies were laid to rest.

It is sad to think that they only found one of the burial pits, as there were several. The others are still there, just waiting for someone to have the will & the resources to find them.....

ATB