The Somme with something a bit different

I have just returned from a Battlefield tour of the somme which has been well and truly covered (recently) so I wont add to any of that but our group were priveleged to have been allowed into the tunnel complex in La Boiselle.

These are located under a church and are where many many troops destined for the Somme offensive were billeted before and during to protect from the shelling.

Absolutely fascinating to see the graffiti from almost 100 years ago and that none of the identifiable artists seemed to have survived.

Inside the church



The Tunnels and graffiti









This one looks like it stands proud but is in fact recessed ( my shit photo) and was for holding a photo or a postcard and the half round bit at the top was so it could be popped back out with a finger



http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/Redrick1/Rick_2015_00060_zpsnerfmz6j.jpg

Was bound to happen







I have loads more poor pictures but ..... Any way it was very very interesting and somehat spooky and moving


We also dropped in at the German Cemetry which is often overlooked on trips like this but IMO A soldier is a soldier who gave his life .....

[video]http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/Redrick1/Rick_2015_00057-2_zpsrxfkq39b.jpg[/video]

Bloody hell I have my tunnels mixed up these were in fact at Bouzincourt !

Thats impressive, Id like to go there one day. Far too much to see in one visit isn't there.

That's really cool. And kind of funny that someone carved a johnson into the wall.

The postcard holder photo looks recessed to me.

Just seen this Rick, researching for this years trip... really great feeling to see stuff like that preserved for so long... not done the Somme tunnels but did the Taliban tunnels in the 'GAN' near Messar E Sahrif, post battle different enemy but same theme...might try and squeeze my girth down them this year....

Dusty

awesome pictures.

I visited the old crusader fort in Tripoli Lebanon with my daughter. I asked her to translate the arabic graffiti. She carefully traced the words 'Mohamed Hom' or Mohamed was here. Some things seem to be universal.

Path.

Anyone attending the official service at Thiepval on July 1st?

Dusty said:

Just seen this Rick, researching for this years trip... really great feeling to see stuff like that preserved for so long... not done the Somme tunnels but did the Taliban tunnels in the 'GAN' near Messar E Sahrif, post battle different enemy but same theme...might try and squeeze my girth down them this year....

Dusty

Click to expand...

It is well worth it as its very interesting and lets you see how they lived between stints at the front