100 years ago - unbelievable bravery

[Gil Boyd]

This is real footage from Pathe News 1914-1918 from filming of several county Regiments on the front line, firing Vickers whilst being gassed without properly fitted respirators

YPRES reel 4 - British Path

Information

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[gtodan]

It appears the film crews were not affected by the gas.

[Gil Boyd]

It seems that they had time to fit their new masks properly, as the cameras of the day I believe were continual wind a handle type...........could be wrong of course

[NRA]

looks like Hollywood to me?

[Gil Boyd]

Pathe News were the more reliable news gatherers, but since I watched the IWO JIMA flag being raised several times for the cameras that missed it, plus fake attacks being done in the deserts of North Africa, it wouldn't surprise me.
I wonder if a little bit of RE enacting went on later, because as a viewer you always forget the cameraman if he's doing a good job.
But Pathe alleged they always filmed in the thick of it

[browningautorifle]

But Pathe alleged they always filmed in the thick of it

And that's what people at the time wanted to believe.

[Lee Enfield]

"Ypres Reel 4

Dramatic reconstruction of events during the Battle of Ypres in the First World War.
"

No doubt filmed in Salisbury or one of the forward training facilities in France.

[Donzi]

That's some pretty crude propaganda, but I suppose acceptable by WWI-era standards. Also, good to know that WWI RAF pilots carried extra fuel on combat flights, "just in case". It's kind of sad to watch these pictures, knowing what came 25 years later, and realize that all those brave men's lives were wasted. Such is life.

[Gil Boyd]

Sadly, we are stoking up for another conflict as we speak, back in to the same area over a hundred years ago. Dust them there horses down, give the Tommies a lance each and ride at the cannons "hell for leather".
"Into the valley of death rode the 600, cannons to left of them, cannons to the right of them................................"
That dratted war wheel has come round yet again.

[Paul S.]

Not one to add to or detract from the previous comments regarding the theatrical nature of the film, I'll point out that the gas attack took place in 1915 and not 100 years ago (1914). My grandfather was a Sergeant in a Highland regiment engaged in the battle.

Links:
http://www.ypressalient.co.uk/2nd%20...f%20Battle.htm
First World War.com - Battles - The Second Battle of Ypres, 1915