WW1 Battlefield & Trench: Somme

Spanish clearing up some of the mess left on the battlefield at the Somme. A few things we notice similair to many other Somme photos is the total destruction of the landscape, boggy, mud, awful conditions for anyone.

Sadly not the best of photos but it convays over to us the reality of the Somme and other battlefields in WW1. Wire fence behind the water filled trench where lancfusiliers are patrolling.

WW1: Trench digging Training.

When we think of Soldiers training we think of men running their bayonets into dummies and shouting alot. Crucial in WW1 though was trenches! Soldiers would find themselves in them for months on end, both serving as protection and living quarters. Here we see a training camp where the chaps (wot wot) are learning how to build the perfect trench. Not sure its 100% realistic, not as much mud as in the real battlefield trenches and look how clean they all look.

British Trench Raiders WW1

Group photo of some British troops from the trenches in WW1. Very interesting photo as it seems they all wearing various types of headwear, including a german helmet!

Battle of the Somme Trench life

Battle of the Somme ( 1 July–18 November 1916). Trench life! Cheshire regiment. One of the best photos I have found, showing a lot of detail of the harsh conditions, men getting a sleep/nap wherever and whenever they can.

WW1 1916 Battle of Delville Wood

The battle of Delville wood was very near the Somme and brutal for all those involved. Not many survived but the mainly South African allied troops held on in the end against the Germans. Really telling photo, absolute devastation of the woods an carnage as far as the eye can see yet the troops are still manning the trench! Not much cover left from this part of the woods.

WWW1 Trench life!

Most WW1 photo's are soldiers in the trenches. This one for me is a little different. Clearly the troops are posing for the photo, even the soldier having a nap in his cove has a cheeky grin. The trench looks incredibly thin, not much room for movement.