The German MG Capture & Trophy

[WarPig1976]

I can't fathom the amount of BALLS that it took a man to " Go over the top" and face a trench line bristling with those guns. I often wonder do we still have that level of manliness to willingly walk to our death. Thank you to ALL the veterans.

[browningautorifle]

I often wonder do we still have that level of manliness to willingly walk to our death.

I guess you haven't been following the news papers...

[WarPig1976]

What?? Did I miss the 2nd battle of the Somme?

[boltaction]

I agree. I often wonder what the poor bastards in the second wave thought on the first day of the Somme. "Our artillery barrage will cut the Kraut wire and wipe out their pillboxes, and you boys can just stroll across No Man's Land....". You watch the first wave go over the top and get completely annihilated, then you get the order to follow them and become the second half of the single biggest defeat ever suffered by the BRitish Army. I can't even imagine what that must have felt like. I don't consider myself a chicken, but I'm pretty sure I'd have been going over the top wearing breeches wet on the front and brown on the back.....

Ed

[browningautorifle]

What?? Did I miss the 2nd battle of the Somme?

No, the whole last ten years of war...

[MG1918]

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[Bruce_in_Oz]

I suspect the lads in this photo are not German but from one of the Baltic states, just after WW1.

I recall that a copuple of these short-lived countries were equipped with a motley assortment of stuff to "kick-start" their forces. There are photos showing troops wearing German uniforms and helmets (of several late-war styles, and armed with P-14s and Vickers gun). Can't say I remember MG-08 sled mounts, though.

About three years ago, I saw what I believe are two of those P-14s in the hands of a collector in Queensland, Oz. They have a small, about 13 x 40mm brass plate on the right side of the butt. And the bores were atrocious.

[RCEMERalf]

Saw a CBC interview of a surviving vet of the Newfoundland regiment. He was asked why he did not just stay behind when the signal was given to initiate this disaster. He responded that he had just not thought of doing so!

[browningautorifle]

When the order to move forward was given, there were MPs and officers in the trenches with revolvers drawn. Their job was to execute for cowardice, any that failed to go over the top when ordered. It wasn't just a matter of it not occurring...

[MG1918]

---------- Post added at 11:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:25 PM ----------

one of my favourites.