The Somme

Posted by: stuart.ashen on 06 April 2017

Since my teens I have had a life long interest in the Battlefelds of the Somme as well as other WW1 regions of conflict. Not sure why this is, the obvious paying of respects is clearly a part of it. I make regular visits, read books, study trench maps and walk the areas of carnage and sacrifice.

Just curios if any other forum members have a similar affliction? While the Somme is 'my thing' I have also visited Verdun, Ypres, Vimy, Reims amongst others.

Stu

Posted on: 11 April 2017 by stuart.ashen

Not done that Derek. Sounds interesting.

Although most people associate the Somme with July 1916 it was fought over twice in 1918 following the nearly successful German offensive, then again in 1940 and finally 1944. Let's hope that was the last time!

Stu

Posted on: 11 April 2017 by Wiltshireman

I too am extremely interested in the first war and have visited the battle fields all along the front as far as Verdun. I also know the D-Day landing beaches very well having driven along them about twelve times now. I am always lost for words when trying to describe the sense of sadness I feel of those terrible battles and the loss of life on all sides so I will not try to do so here. What I will say is that if you have never stood on the Pont du Hoc and looked down to the beach below , wandered through the many cemeteries that litter northern France, stood on the rim of the Hooge crater or gazed into the windows of the Douaumont Ossuary at Verdun at the bones of the 130,000 and more men then you really should go, Its an experience we should all have.

Posted on: 11 April 2017 by Wiltshireman
AlanJ posted:

There are some incredible places to visit. Some of the most moving (for me at least) are Langemarke (German) cemetary near Ypres, Notre-Dame De Lorrette (largest French military  cemetary in the world) at Ablain St-Nazaire (Artois), Indian memorial at Neuve Chapelle, Delville Wood memorial (Somme), Newfoundland Memorial park (Somme).

For WW2 - A visit to Oradour Sur Glane Is a must for anyone with an interest - a visit is obligatory for all French school children I believe.

I have to agree with AlanJ about Oradour mind boggling behaviour by so called human beings. I describe it as the saddest place in France. 

Posted on: 12 April 2017 by stuart.ashen

A lovely post Wiltshireman. I must get to Normandy soon. As or the bones at Verdun I would find it difficult to give a blanket recommendation. They truly are shocking.

Stu

Posted on: 12 April 2017 by AlanJ

Notre-Dame Du Lorrette is the Artois equivelent of Douamont... It too has an ossuary and a lighthouse, the beam of which is visible for over 40km.

People often overlook the fact that as many French died in Artois as died at Verdun. Its also where the French Mutiny took hold in 1917.