Trench map - Western front - Mormal forest

[Guest]

Hello,

(please excuse my froggy english)

Some time ago (4 or 5 years) I talked with a kind menber of 14-18 Invisionzone (but I have lost his name and I am not very handy in english forums)who sent me a photo of a part of trench map who showed the Mormal Forest (between Bavay et Le Quesnoy) in 1918 - I do not know exactly if this map is called :

- western front trench map n° 51 (without letter after)

- mormal forest

Some warfares took place during battle of Sambre at very end of the WW2 - specially 4 and 5 th november and concerned the IIIrd Army :

2nd Rifle brigade NZ, 5th bn Duke of Wellington Rgt,, 62nd Division of West Riding 84 brigade of Royal Garrison Artillery,...

I'm very much interested in this warfares where many young friend strangers died to liberate my little village (Gommegnies) among many other..

Well I am looking for this enterly map - it does'nt appear on website who sell trench maps : the n°51 is "in grey".

I joined a part of this map.

Thanks a lot.

John.

[WhiteStarLine]

Hi John,

Forum member Dave has everything and he is very helpful. He will probably be online shortly.

I have 51a which shows Le Quesnoy, but you are definitely looking for Sheet 51 to its immediate right:

[CROONAERT]

Yes, I've got the map your require (51 SW ed.2A is the 1:20,000 scale map you have shown the extract from). I also have a map showing the other major part of the Foret de Mormal in the same scale and roughly the same date (57A NW) if you're wanting the full forest (or at least the major part of it)....Don't know how I'd manage to get two complete maps in high resolution to you though!

Dave

[WhiteStarLine]

Dave, I use Google Docs and have a folder marked Public (https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bwmm1uUbZRCpdXZwR1hqcTVKNFU&usp=sharing). I put maps or any other files in there and anyone I send the link to has access. There are plenty of similar services, such as Cubby or Dropbox or similar.

Cheers,

Bill

[Guest]

Thank you for your fast response.

I know it would be difficult to scan the map enterely. Perhaps, if it is not to long or too difficult, could you scan some smalls (A4) part of it / or could you tell me where I should obtain this kind of maps ( it is obvious that British - and commonwealth- have developped much and much networks about memory of the WW - in France we do not find such items) If you have difficulties in mailing heavy files I can give you my personal adress.

This trench map is interesting for the red notes and other subscriptions concerning my village and other for villages near by and handy in order to understand the 4-5 november 1918 warfares diaries and on an other hand for the evolution of the forest ( places where trees were fallen by german, ...)

I have some photos of british soldiers billeted in my village (Gommegnies) in 1918-1919 and if I could give you information about them or send photos it would be a pleasure

Thanks again and it is not a problem if you cannot, it is always a pleasure to exchange about a common passion

John.

[Guest]

Hello

I am wondering if someone could help me with the modern google coordinates for some WW1 grid references relating to the attack to liberate Limont-Fontaine by the 9th KOYLI, 15th DLI and 1st E Yorks on 7th Nov 1918.

I cannot find the trench Map online but It is Map sheet 51.

The first grid references given here is for the trench line from where the DLI were positioned prior to the assault on the village....v.10.c to v.16.d

The grid reference given here is particularly important for my research as it is for where several soldiers killed in the attack were originally buried by their comrades... v.17.d.5.7

 

The final grid references refer to a line held by the 15th DLI in or beyond the village where they were told to stand fast.... v.17.d.7.8 to v.23.b.2.8

 

I am very grateful for your help

 

Thank you

 

Rob

[WhiteStarLine]

52 minutes ago, RMT1965 said:

killed in the attack were originally buried by their comrades... v.17.d.5.7

Hi Rob and welcome to the forum. Coordinates, from http://preview.tmapper.com are

 

id, name, sheet, quadrant, letter, number, grid, xOrdinate, yOrdinate, easting, northing, latitude, longitude, bound, description

1, "51.V.10.c.5.5", "51", "SE3", "V", 10, "c", 0.5, 0.5, -33028, -19847, 50.219934, 3.906614, 7, "Sheet 51.V.10.c.5.5"

2, "51.V.16.d.5.5", "51", "SE3", "V", 16, "d", 0.5, 0.5, -32571, -20761, 50.211738, 3.913100, 7, "Sheet 51.V.16.d.5.5"

3, "51.V.17.d.7.8", "51", "SE3", "V", 17, "d", 0.7, 0.8, -31565, -20624, 50.213026, 3.927184, 7, "Sheet 51.V.17.d.7.8"

4, "51.V.23.b.2.8", "51", "SE3", "V", 23, "b", 0.2, 0.8, -31794, -21081, 50.208903, 3.924018, 7, "Sheet 51.V.23.b.2.8"

5, "51.V.17.d.5.7", "51", "SE3", "V", 17, "d", 0.5, 0.7, -31657, -20670, 50.212610, 3.925906, 7, "Sheet 51.V.17.d.5.7"

• Blue pins represent DLI pre-position.
• Green pins represent DLI post-position.
• Single pin is burial location

[Guest]

WhiteStarLine thank you so very much, that is absolutely fantastic work, and very quick reply!

It certainly fits with the DLI disposition as being to the left flank of 9th KOYLI although I'm surprised how far forward DLI were....No wonder they were enfiladed, and KOYLI subsequently being ordered to take over the assault with the East Yorks at this point!

I am thrilled with the pin position for the original burial site which clearly would suggest that the burial party must have brought their comrades and Officers bodies from wherever they fell, up to their rest area post battle.

Great work many, many thanks