Chris Foster Posted 15 October , 2019 Share Posted 15 October , 2019 (edited) Does anyone have any information as to the weather conditions on the Somme, particularly in the Miraumont area, for the 26//05/17 ? Regards Chris Edited 15 October , 2019 by Chris Foster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Thomson Posted 15 October , 2019 Share Posted 15 October , 2019 An intriguing question. I'm afraid I cannot add anything as far as an answer goes but just checking, do you mean 26/05/1917 or 2017? I'm assuming 1917 but one never knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpjpl Posted 15 October , 2019 Share Posted 15 October , 2019 1. See here for a photo taken at Miraumont on 26 May 1917 (no page number): https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MPQsAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT225&lpg=PT225&dq=Miraumont,+26+May+1917&source=bl&ots=_Ahk5o1bJI&sig=ACfU3U0LbLl028m_j7N39KEYsPyN_yekEA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivwaKjsJ7lAhUytHEKHQYPCm8Q6AEwDXoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=Miraumont%2C 26 May 1917&f=false 2. Have you tried the relevant War Diaries? JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 15 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 15 October , 2019 Thank's Michael, Yes its 1917 I'm after. Thank you JP, the photo in your link is the source of my query! Its by Ernest Brooks and the description reads.. "British troops crossing newly captured territory along a road made of wooden planks, Miraumont, 26 May 1917" IWM copyright, Photo No Q2217. Its a painting commission I'm doing, and I want to nail the weather conditions. Obviously its wet under foot, but what was the weather like for the whole day. It may seem like an odd request, but setting the tone/mood of the painting from the start is important and I like to get things accurate (retentive disposition) Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 15 October , 2019 Share Posted 15 October , 2019 I have a note of the No 3 GHQ Ammunition Park War diary for Friday the 25th May, 1917 "Aveluy Weather Fine. Briliant sunshine." Saturday 26th May "Aveluy Weather Fine very warm." Again on Sunday the 27th "Aveluy Weather Fine and warm." Monday the 28th "Aveluy Weather Fine and very warm." Tuesday the 29th Aveluy Weather Dull. Wednesday the 30th "Aveluy Weather Dull. Fine later." Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 15 October , 2019 Share Posted 15 October , 2019 Worth checking a few more diaries to get confirmation. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 15 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 15 October , 2019 (edited) Thanks very much Mike, that's very interesting. It just shows how deceptive B/W photography can be (or the actual date is wrong). Aveluy as the crow flies is just over 5 miles from Miraumont ! Did they note the weather the week before the 25th ? Chris Edited 15 October , 2019 by Chris Foster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 15 October , 2019 Share Posted 15 October , 2019 17/5/1917 Aveluy Weather Fine. 18th Aveluy Weather Warm 19th Aveluy Weather Fine. 20th Aveluy Weather Fine. 21st Aveluy Weather Fine. Rain later in day. 22nd Aveluy Weather Rain. Fine later. 23rd Aveluy Weather Fair. 24th Aveluy Weather Fresh and fine. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 15 October , 2019 Share Posted 15 October , 2019 There are European weather charts available on this link Click Attached that of 26/5/1917 which shows high pressure over France at this time. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 15 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 15 October , 2019 Thanks Mike, that is brilliant!! I shall have a look in the morning. Cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 16 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 16 October , 2019 Well, I've had a good look at the weather charts and the they l fit in with the No 3 GHQ Ammunition Park War diary reports for the dates mentioned. Which leads me to think that the date on the original description must be wrong. A lot of the men are wearing capes most are wearing leather jerkins, not the sort of gear to wear on a fine warm day? and the image just as a general damp look to it. I'd welcome anyone's thoughts on the subject ! Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 16 October , 2019 Share Posted 16 October , 2019 (edited) Remember it did rain on the 21st and 22nd on May 1917. Have attached a screenshot of 26/5/1917 from a very interesting video showing temperatures from Nov 1917-Aug 1917. Click Mike Edited 16 October , 2019 by Skipman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 16 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 16 October , 2019 Mike, Thank you once again for your input, a very interesting video, as you say. I agree It looks as though the date/ dates for when the photo actually lines up better with the 21st or 22nd of May rather than the High pressure front, dragged up from the South 25th/26th of May ! Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 16 October , 2019 Share Posted 16 October , 2019 I would try find out which units were in the Somme area at that time and check the battalion, brigade and divisional diaries. I commend you for trying your best to be accurate. I will have a look at some diaries later when I get a chance. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 16 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 16 October , 2019 Thank you Mike, I'll try and dig a bit more, and I appreciate you helping me. I'd be vey interested as to what you come up with ! Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 16 October , 2019 Share Posted 16 October , 2019 These two entries are from the 1/7th Black Watch diary May 1917. They were at Blangy, about 15 miles north-east but close enough as makes no odds. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 17 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 17 October , 2019 Thanks Mike, I think all the evidence is telling the same story !! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Thomson Posted 18 October , 2019 Share Posted 18 October , 2019 On 15/10/2019 at 17:24, Chris Foster said: Thank's Michael, Yes its 1917 I'm after. Thank you JP, the photo in your link is the source of my query! Its by Ernest Brooks and the description reads.. "British troops crossing newly captured territory along a road made of wooden planks, Miraumont, 26 May 1917" IWM copyright, Photo No Q2217. Its a painting commission I'm doing, and I want to nail the weather conditions. Obviously its wet under foot, but what was the weather like for the whole day. It may seem like an odd request, but setting the tone/mood of the painting from the start is important and I like to get things accurate (retentive disposition) Regards Chris I really admire this level of accuracy and research. Absolutely brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 19 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 19 October , 2019 Thanks Michael! Here's a link to the paintings sketched layout, ready for some paint! https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/275984-my-new-painting/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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