johnwarwickbrooke

This is a cropped version of a photo by John Warwick Brooke, displayed on the Imperial War Museum site with the caption

"A British soldier tending the graves of the fallen near Blangy, 3 May 1917."

www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205237435

Another photo from the same place:
www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205237436

THE BATTLE OF ARRAS, APRIL-MAY 1917© IWM (Q 5290)

Thanks for your research Art Siegel. We'll add some of the information to the record the next time we update.

Bailleul, Nord en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailleul,_Nord

From fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailleul_(Nord) "Bailleul, située non loin de Cassel où Foch avait établi son quartier général, fut complètement détruite en 1918 par les Alliés, avec l'appui de l'aviation britannique qui cherchait à chasser l'ennemi qui avait pris la ville." Translation by google: Bailleul, located near Cassel where Foch had established his headquarters, was completely destroyed in 1918 by the Allies, with the support of the British air force that sought to drive out the enemy who had taken the city.

The Imperial War Museum site has this photo with the following information:
"THE HUNDRED DAYS OFFENSIVE, AUGUST-NOVEMBER 1918

part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooke, John Warwick (Lieutenant) (Photographer) 1918-09-01

Q 7024

The ruins of Bailleul from which the Germans retired on 30th August 1918. (1 September 1918)."


THE HUNDRED DAYS OFFENSIVE, AUGUST-NOVEMBER 1918© IWM (Q 7024)

Date up right edge of photo, 10/25/18.

Thanks B-59, Art Siegel, and Retired at last! We'll update our catalog!

www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/62600/TILLOY%20BRIT... "Tilloy-les-Mofflaines is a village 3 kilometres south-east of Arras, on the south side of the main road to Cambrai. Tilloy British Cemetery is south-east of the village on the north-east side of the road to Wancourt, the D37. ... Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines was taken by Commonwealth troops on 9 April 1917, but it was partly in German hands again from March to August 1918."

British Infantry France. "he German policy of devastating towns and villages as they retreated was designed to demoralise both the former inhabitants and the Allied troops. A notice on the wall in German reads, 'zum Tilloy - "

Interesting to note two persons in this photograph appearing to wear German/Prussian style helmets (center of photograph and back row to the left).

TabooTiki Maybe captured equipment, like the MGs in the foreground :) There's another one to the right.

KenjiB_48 Most likely war souvenirs, can also spot a German softcover standing to the left of the Soldier in the center wearing the "spiked" German helmet. Those machine guns in the foreground are MG 08's.