The Somme March 2015 - more Hawthorn & Newfoundland

[horrocks]

The crater in the background.

Clear evidence of the German trench on the rear lip of the ravine. With this, the fire trenches to the right, further positions along the higher slope to the left and the second and reserve positions behind Hawthorn, and those even further back on the Beaucourt Ridge one can so clearly see how, with the failure of the flanking attack from the Hawthorn side, the assault across what is now the park (and indeed the slopes running down to Le Hamel beyond) was completely exposed in layers on the front and on all sides, and doomed to dreadful failure.

Although not my first visit, it is the first time I have comprehensively walked the Hawthorn - Beaumont Hamel sector. It has been quite an eye-opener to see how the land actually lies.

[brummell]

I particularly like the second photo, great shot. Thanks.

I agree ref. the ground around Y Ravine, it is essential to walk it to appreciate the story of that place and that attack. I have always been particularly struck by how much dead ground there is in front of the German line around the ravine, particularly from parapet-height, and the difficulty the Germans must have had in observing the British lines from the ravine position. As you say, walking up onto the ridges 'behind' the park illustrates the importance of the German positions there to defending the area of the ravine.

- brummell

[horrocks]

Thank you Brummell.

I think that the pine trees surrounding the park force us to see it in isolation, whereas it was of course simply a part of the line that was entirely open to - and subject to enfilade from - its surroundings, the areas to the side and beyond it. Trees are certainly one of the features that make the battlefield so much more difficult to understand to the 21st century visitor. I guess the other is that we see it from a five foot something greater elevation than those who were there in 1916.

[BIFFO]

wheres the second photo taken ?
Biff

[horrocks]

Biff, it is the track that runs through the area of the British front and reserve lines from the crater to the Auchonvillers-Le Hamel road. It issues onto the road halfway between the park and Auchonvillers.

[BelgianExile]

Nice pictures Toby - one of my favourite areas.