Jump to content
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Craters and shell holes at "bois français"


Sly 1916

Recommended Posts

Hello the Pals,

I stopped today at "bois français" near Fricourt and Mametz, the wood on the road to old and new point 110 cemeteries. Just walking a few minutes: there is a nice seeing of the place, at the top was the emplacement of several WW2 german guns (Anti-aircraft I think) still visible. In the wood, each side of the road was many rest of trench, shell holes and craters.

They are really bigger, larger and deeper than usual... I wonder if this was the effect of the WW1 bombing, maybe with the help of the French heavy artillery (210mm mortars) or a heavy WW2 aircraft bombing against the german guns. I've never seen in all the Somme such big holes and craters !

Have you an idea about that ?

Someone told me that Paul Reed talked about it in his book, but I have not it.

Last question, I thought that some french and german burials were still at the old point 110 cemetery but there is not?

thanks all,

Sly

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Sly,

Yes the craters near the Bois Francais are quite impressive! The site to the right of the wood as you approach from the cemeteries were where Kiel Trench was - this was where the author Siegfried Sassoon won his MC for rescuing Cpl Mick O'Brien who died and is buried at The Citadel not far away.

You can also see the trnechlines in the wood itself.

I don't remember about German graves at Point 110 cemetery, but as you say Paul Reed covers this area in detail in Walking the Somme, which I haven't got to hand at the moment.

Alan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sly

According to the CWGC site the 2 Germans and 26 French at Point 110 New cemetary have been moved.

Thier is no mention of any Germans at Point 110 Old cemetary.

Malcolm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These are mine craters, not shell craters.

S

Hi Simon

just been on the carl website and there is a publication you may be interested in

titled "report on the perception of subterranean sounds and the plotting of subterranean

work by sounds" dont know if you have it or are interested

http://cgsc.leavenworth.army.mil/carl/contentdm/home.htm

look under obselete military manuals

regards Ian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...