REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN

[Gil Boyd]

As an example, this plate camera image taken on the 21st of August 1918 at Bapaume in France of the New Zealanders could have been taken in WW2, and you can zoom right into an individual face and get the same quality on reproduction...........Amazing quality.

The Second Battle of Bapaume was a battle of the First World War that took place at Bapaume in France, from 21 August 1918 to 3 September 1918. It was a continuation of the Battle of Albert and is also referred to as the second phase of that battle. The British and Dominion attack was part of what was later known as the Allies' Hundred Days Offensive.

The Second Battle of Bapaume was carried out over a period of two weeks and involved the divisions of IV Corps; the British 5th, 37th, 42nd, and the 63rd Divisions along with the New Zealand Division. On 29 August, elements of the New Zealand Division, after heavy fighting in the days prior, occupied Bapaume as the defending Germans withdrew. It then pushed onto the Bancourt Ridge, to the east of Bapaume.

[82Trooper]

Thank you for your efforts to memorialize these men in these events. Also thank you for taking the time to share it with us.
Mike

[Gil Boyd]

Mike,
No worries, lets try and make the next generation keep the flag flying too, it is so important, when even those of us that are into battles learn something everyday.
How many had heard of this 100 day offensive/battle during WW1 in France?

[muffett.2008]

You're right Gil, the quality of that pic. makes some modern digital cameras look sick.

[Gil Boyd]

I have others, which when the lads move, that part of the image is just a total blur.
This is clearly a posed shot which is nice an clear, but has to be expected on the photographic plates of the day I suppose, and the image being upside down for the photographer as well. Hell of an achievement with the old black cloth over your head and on a tripod and all.
How they got the plates back for developing in one piece always amazes me with these wartime photographers...............brilliant men who captured so much for us today.
The aircraft shots were a marvel to of front line trenches and being under constant fire.

[bigduke6]

Nice Gil, you can even make out the guys Pistol, which I would say is Smith & Wesson due to the profile of the barrel were it meets the frame.

[Gil Boyd]

Geoff,
Agreed, he needs a few "show Cleans" that lad, shorts as well. It must have been a hot August looking at the state of them!!

[Gil Boyd]

Here is a great example of what I was saying:

Left side photo: Back L-R: PTE Branden Forbes, 24, PTE Tom Foster, 25, Middle L-R: PTE Nathan Prentice, 23, PTE Gavin Trydgett, 26, LCPL Lachlan Davis, 26.

Right side photo: This was taken in France during WW1 of Aussie diggers. Back left: PTE Ernest Cruickshank. Left middle seated: SGT Angus Wilson of the 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion who was awarded the Military Medal for heroism