Holiday Snap: Canadian War Memorial, Vimy, France



canadianmemorial.jpg

I remember reading a quote that suggested the First World War was a reinvention of landscape - though the quote was better, and I can't currently place it. This photo shows the no-mans land at Vimy Ridge. It looks, even after so many years, very alien and un-natural. Pounded by shells, pitted with huge bunkers (named things like 'Montreal' and 'Vancouver'), the earth has been resculpted by concentrated modern warfare. Though, oddly, it also looks a little like a golf course.



Posted by sam at September 3, 2005 3:21 AM



Comments:

I have been searching the sites related to Vimy Ridge for na image of the Crosbie Craters which I understand are on the perimeter of the memorial site.
I came across your photo of the grassy mounds and I wonder if perhaps these might be the remains of those craters? Can you recall the area known as Crosbie Craters, which refers to an engagement at Vimy in May 1915 in the early stages of the war, rather than to the Canadian battle.
I would be grateful fro any information you may have.

Bryan

Posted by: Bryan Mac Mahon on March 19, 2006 8:48 PM

I have an illustration from Illustrated War News that shows Lancashire Loyals and Fusiliers attacking crosbie craters in March 1916.

Posted by: andy prada on February 6, 2007 10:15 AM

Thank you Andy for that reference. What are the chances of seeing the illustration?
Could we get in touch?

Bryan

Posted by: Bryan Mac Mahon on May 9, 2007 7:02 PM

Send me an email address and I'll return a digital copy to you

Posted by: andy prada on July 27, 2007 10:17 PM

should have put andyprada@fougassefilms.co.uk

Posted by: andy prada on July 27, 2007 10:18 PM

Post a comment









Remember personal info?






Previously trans_blank.gif

Projects trans_blank.gif