wpf1958 Posted 8 December , 2011 Share Posted 8 December , 2011 I am trying to find 'the' photograph of Haig with HM King George V, Foch, Poincarre etc at Val Vion during the Somme. So far I have failed, has anyone got a copy they could be so kind as to post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Armstrong Custer Posted 8 December , 2011 Share Posted 8 December , 2011 I've uploaded a copy of the b/w original and a colourised postcard version of the group in question at Haig's forward HQ at Valvion near Beauquesne here: Beauquesne (click the thumbnails to enlarge). George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpf1958 Posted 8 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 8 December , 2011 Brilliant George, very many thanks. Wilhelm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Armstrong Custer Posted 8 December , 2011 Share Posted 8 December , 2011 You're welcome - in case you don't already have a note of the date, the photo was taken on the afternnon of 12 August 1916. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpf1958 Posted 8 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 8 December , 2011 I visited the chateau last month with some friends and took a photographs on the terrace - now my friends can compare themselves with the original. I remained safely behind the camera not wishing to ruin the moment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Armstrong Custer Posted 8 December , 2011 Share Posted 8 December , 2011 Hi Wilhelm. I was there myself in September, enjoying the delicious selection of apples from the orchards! The chateau of Valvion was requisitioned as Haig's forward HQ from the grandfather of the present Châtelaine. However, the Chateau as it stood in the Haig photo was pretty much destroyed in WWII. Two soldiers on bicycles were seen fleeing there by a German tank, which thinking it was being used as a strongpoint or command post, opened fire on the building, causing severe damage. Rebuilding started almost immediately, using as much of the original materials as possible. In appearance the reconstruction is very like the original. However, although very similar in layout, the design of the terrace balustrade today is clearly different from in Haig's day. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazelclark Posted 8 December , 2011 Share Posted 8 December , 2011 I think that picture is in "The Guns of August" by Barbara Tuchman H.C. I am trying to find 'the' photograph of Haig with HM King George V, Foch, Poincarre etc at Val Vion during the Somme. So far I have failed, has anyone got a copy they could be so kind as to post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpf1958 Posted 10 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 10 December , 2011 Thanks for the posts. It is a great pity it is not the 'real' building from the war but the overall look does give the feeling of what the place was like. I also have to confess that a couple of apples did also disappear whilst there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelcave Posted 10 December , 2011 Share Posted 10 December , 2011 I always thought of Val Vion as a rather 'oversized' farm - plenty of outbuildings (and very impressive at that) but the house not all that big. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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