gesneuvelden

Loopgraaf met gesneuvelde militairen

from Nationaal Archief

• batvoca said:

  Translation:
  
  Trench with killed soldiers

• James Christensen said:

  The dead men are British. This photograph was probably taken very soon after the action that killed them; the Lewis light machine gun at top centre would certainly have been salvaged by German troops as soon as possible. It's a pity that there is not more detailed information accompanying this picture.

• 70_musclecar_RT+6 said:

  James Christensen Location could possibly be Belgium at a guess. I'm a Kiwi [New Zealander] and my grandfather served in WW1. NZEF Auckland 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade D Company. Spent 3 years 157 days overseas. Fought in theatres in Egypt 2x [1915 & 1916] before embarking to France [western europe] where he was finally wounded in 1916. Contracted every illness going around including piles, phlebitis, haemorrhoids, septic throat, influenza. Attended a Lewis gun course on 14/9/17 at Hayling Island. Gain 1st Class Bombing Instructor's Certificate from the Southern Command Bombing School on 22 June 1918 [Lyndhurst Station]. He spent a lot of time convalescing in NZ Military Hospitals Sling, Brockenhurst, Tidworth, and Codford. He was discovered a.w.o.l. and consequently docked several days pay on several occasions. He didn't like the farcical parades soldiers were required to part of. And I don't believe he held high commanding superiors in great respect either after the tragic loss of a record number of Kiwi ANZAC soldiers [843] at Passchendaele on 12 October 1917. Thankfully he survived WW1. Returned home and represented our province in rugby. Returned to building and joinery before moving to bus/coach building. Was a hero to me.