Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Post Battlefields


biff56

Recommended Posts

I would be really interested to find out any information or pictures of how the battlefields of France were cleared, filled in equipment etc munitions dealt with and also where to find on the net pictures of the land after the armistices 1 to 5 years after All I can find are memorials and cemeteries being created in the 20's and "Battlefield Tours" I'm sure there must be something But I am Useless at finding it... Thank you

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Battlefields are still being cleared of debris...even today many tons of munitions are turned up by farmers....including poison gas shells. i have a link about this..will have a look to see if can find!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Biff,

If you have access to a good research orientated library they may hold the following:

Author:Swinton, Ernest Dunlop, Sir, 1868-

Title:Twenty years after.

Publisher/Date:[1936-7].

Description:2 v Notes:Suppl. vol. 1v. [1937-8].

This was a 'now and then' illustrated 'history'. It does contain quite a few images of reconstruction work, including from memory the filling of a mine crater, creating a road across a crater field, gathering war debris etc.

I have access to a copy and will have a look when i get a chance - and if i do will post them here for you.

David.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi David did you have any luck about the document you mentioned please thank you very much

Regards

Robin

quote name='aley' date='Nov 12 2007, 11:52 PM' post='799440']

Biff,

If you have access to a good research orientated library they may hold the following:

Author:Swinton, Ernest Dunlop, Sir, 1868-

Title:Twenty years after.

Publisher/Date:[1936-7].

Description:2 v Notes:Suppl. vol. 1v. [1937-8].

This was a 'now and then' illustrated 'history'. It does contain quite a few images of reconstruction work, including from memory the filling of a mine crater, creating a road across a crater field, gathering war debris etc.

I have access to a copy and will have a look when i get a chance - and if i do will post them here for you.

David.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi biff,

there is a previous thread here. Hugh Clout's 'After the Ruins is a good source, it's pricey but easily obtained from the library,

cheers, Jon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi David did you have any luck about the document you mentioned please thank you very much

Regards

Robin

quote name='aley' date='Nov 12 2007, 11:52 PM' post='799440']

Biff,

If you have access to a good research orientated library they may hold the following:

Author:Swinton, Ernest Dunlop, Sir, 1868-

Title:Twenty years after.

Publisher/Date:[1936-7].

Description:2 v Notes:Suppl. vol. 1v. [1937-8].

This was a 'now and then' illustrated 'history'. It does contain quite a few images of reconstruction work, including from memory the filling of a mine crater, creating a road across a crater field, gathering war debris etc.

I have access to a copy and will have a look when i get a chance - and if i do will post them here for you.

David.

Thank you again David

Hi biff,

there is a previous thread here. Hugh Clout's 'After the Ruins is a good source, it's pricey but easily obtained from the library,

cheers, Jon

Thank ypu Jon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Biff, Here are a couple that maybe of interest? They are, i believe circa 1937? so a long way forward in time form the period you are seeking....

The image i took to be mine-crater filling was in fact a then and now of a quarry site. So not here included.

This publication runs into thousands of pages so i have had to go back and try and locate some of the relevant images, this is the best i can do for now. If i find some more will seek to post here if i find time.

David

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/d.../roadmaking.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/d...aterialswar.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Biff, Here are a couple that maybe of interest? They are, i believe circa 1937? so a long way forward in time form the period you are seeking....

The image i took to be mine-crater filling was in fact a then and now of a quarry site. So not here included.

This publication runs into thousands of pages so i have had to go back and try and locate some of the relevant images, this is the best i can do for now. If i find some more will seek to post here if i find time.

David

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/d.../roadmaking.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/d...aterialswar.jpg

Excellant David thank you very muchI'm getting alot of information from being on here and on the net sites pointed out for me may i ask what your particular subject is on World War 1 regards biff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

60 Tons of munitions were cleared from the Somme last year by the Bomb disposal teams.

Gunner Bailey

Link to comment
Share on other sites

60 Tons of munitions were cleared form the Somme last year by the Bomb disposal teams.

Gunner Bailey

thank you very much for your informatin i am most greatful

regard

biff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did you see BBC FOUR "The Twenties In Colour" ? Albert Kahn's archive showed Italian and Polish men arriving in France to help with rebuilding , also aerial film of Northern France . But it didn't mention munitions clearance .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would be really interested to find out any information or pictures of how the battlefields of France were cleared, filled in equipment etc munitions dealt with and also where to find on the net pictures of the land after the armistices 1 to 5 years after All I can find are memorials and cemeteries being created in the 20's and "Battlefield Tours" I'm sure there must be something But I am Useless at finding it... Thank you

Hello Biff,

Some years ago I met a Belgium farmer whose hobby was excavating old trench lines. He claimed (and I've since read some confirmation of this) that after the war laborers from Tonkin China were employed to chuck all the debris from the battlefields into the trenches and cover them up so as to get the land back into agricultural production as quickly as possible. The proof of this seems to be in the success he had digging. (His nickname was 'Digger George') He would set up a ladder when the crops were fallow and from his high perch scout out the 'ghost' of a filled in trench. Then he would set in to digging. When asked what his most astounding find was he claimed to have found the skeleton of a horse and rider both draped in bandoliers of ammunition. I'm not sure I believed him but the yard around his small farm WAS filled with the most amazing stuff! Cheers, Bill

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Biff,

Some years ago I met a Belgium farmer whose hobby was excavating old trench lines. He claimed (and I've since read some confirmation of this) that after the war laborers from Tonkin China were employed to chuck all the debris from the battlefields into the trenches and cover them up so as to get the land back into agricultural production as quickly as possible. The proof of this seems to be in the success he had digging. (His nickname was 'Digger George') He would set up a ladder when the crops were fallow and from his high perch scout out the 'ghost' of a filled in trench. Then he would set in to digging. When asked what his most astounding find was he claimed to have found the skeleton of a horse and rider both draped in bandoliers of ammunition. I'm not sure I believed him but the yard around his small farm WAS filled with the most amazing stuff! Cheers, Bill

................................................................................

................................................................................

.

.....................

Dear Bill many thanks for your information it is gathering more and more each day from on here and other places around the world and net Iam being left amazed sometimes at the tales information etc being told to me by all It would seem there was some very brave people going about the battle grounds clearing up some very foolish gold diggers as well and many have paid a heavy price..life and limb for doing so

regards

Biff

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...