French Artillery Group Photo

[Willywombat]

I thought I'd share this photo with forum members. It came to me as a boy, along with various other items, from my father's Colonel in WW2, who had served as a junior officer in WW1.

Unusually, it has an inscription on the rear, giving both the officer's name and the unit. I think the writing in pencil is contemporary, whilst the bottom lines in biro were added when the photo was given to me, probably for my benefit, so that I'd know a little more about it. Amazing foresight by the old gentleman!

If anyone can add anything regarding the unit or the individual named, I'd much appreciate it!

Bob.

[Robert Dunlop]

Bob, thank you very much for sharing this photo. Unfortunately, I do not have the regimental history for the 316th Heavy Artillery Regiment, so cannot help with any more details from that perspective. The location and date suggests that your father's Colonel may have served in a British unit that was sent to 'rest' in the Chemin des Dames area and got caught up in the German offensive known as Operation Blücher-Yorck. This could explain why he was given the photo, perhaps when visiting the 3rd Battery while in the area.

Robert

[Willywombat]

Robert - thanks for that. The Colonel was Ordnance Corps.

It looks to me as if the French Officer wrote the pencil details on the rear of the card (note the continental style figure 1 as compared to that written in biro).

I should add that I was told that the battery was attacked soon after the photo was taken, and many of the men (including, presumably, the officer) were killed.

[Paul Reed]

I should add that I was told that the battery was attacked soon after the photo was taken, and many of the men (including, presumably, the officer) were killed.

There is no trace of him being killed here:

http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/

Looks like he survived.

[Willywombat]

Well done, Paul! I was hoping someone might have knowledge of the French casualty records.

Bob.