Such an idyllic scene with the beautiful trees, green grass and singing birds in the background. Yet back then it was probably a blasted, cratered moonscape filled with splintered trees and the stench of decaying corpses. It's difficult to imagine what it must have been like to live in those trench systems.
Partial translation of the sign: The bunkers in Bayerwald only have an interior height of 1.20 meters and are only meant as a safe haven during shelling. They were built on a poured platform that rested on a (leaf) stabilising layer. Every bunker consists of two rooms, which are connected with a doorway. Every room has a shaft for a heater and/or periscope. In September 1918 there are 10 concrete bunkers in the original Bayernwald, that together sheltered 47 German soldiers.After the war, the concrete stones are very desirable materials for the reconstruction, therefor this type of bunker has become very rare.
In Flanders fields the poppies grow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
FYI Google translates the sign at 1:08 as... During the war the soldiers wrote a lot of letters to the home front. It was the only way to stay in touch with family friends. For example, the German military post sent more than 10 billion letters during the war. There was no cell phone or internet at all. They wrote the letters with pencil or with a pen.
Although I've been to Europe various times, I haven't had the chance to visit one of these trenches, so I'm joyfully surprised Ian filmed this. Here's to more boots-on-the-ground tours like this!
I am guessing that the depth verried, ,, I am also guessing that the term " keep your head down " was not an idle suggestion.... Thanks for the good work. ..
Actually went to this place with school and it was amazing. And the little bunker bit i remember me and other lasses took a group photo of us hiding in it which was an amazing picture.
Just look at how narrow and tight these trenches are. Walking through them like that in good conditions is no problem I´d think but imagine how it must be when it is pouring, there is mud everywhere and people are stuffed into them, maybe even hurt or dead. It´s harrowing.
A_Shuchu _ not necessery. German trops given a loot of effort in their trenches unlike allies. Most of the times the germans chosen areas where ground water is unlikely to appear of if it cannot be awoided they make efforst to make drain sewers.
Imagine wading through the mud and the water that gathers up in those. That and the imminent death waiting if you just step outside the trenches at a bad time. Kind of spooky really.
The jist of the sign at 2:06 is The soldiers use morning cocoa powder to make chocolate milk? Chocalade has a sweet taste and high sugar content. You can easily transport it. It was collected by the Red Cross at the home front and others divided the soldiers. Clearly the signs are intended for the younger set.
Finally! I've been waiting for this video for so long! It seems the German trenches didn't keep the soldiers above the water like the British one's. Great now I can't wait for the Belgian and French one's!
That entirely depends on where the trenches were built. What we see here is a second or third line trench, meant to be used in case the the first line was taken. The soldiers didn't actually live in these trenches like in the first line, but instead camped slightly behind, only to take position in the trench if necessary. As the war progressed, most first line trenches were significantly more complex than this one, although a couple areas (especially to the north) were never properly upgraded. That is also why the bunkers are so tiny - they are pure artillery bunkers, into which the soldiers ran upon being shelled, only to get out of them when the shelling stopped to repel attackers - those block houses are barely enough to protect your from artillery fragments. Not to mention that the trench is far too shallow to be of much use as a front-line trench, especially as it has too few MG positions.
I went here during a school trip, and i was very excited to explore it. Too bad me and a couple of others were falsely accused of throwing an apple around the bus. We had to clean the bus instead of going in😣
I can't even imagine what it must have been like to fight in those trenches. It's kind of getting me emotional thinking about it because I have family who fought in the trenches. Fuck.
i click a random video from a channel i never heard of and one of the face and voice i recognize the most on youtube pops up and start talking about trenches... i can't really comprehend it.
"During the war soldiers wrote many letters to the 'homefront'. It was the only way to stay in touch with family or friends. As a result the German military post sent over 10 billion letters during the war. There was no such thing as a mobile phone or internet. The letters were written using pencil or a pen."
It's Dutch. I can somewhat figure it out but won't guarantee a decent translation. Let's wait for someone Dutch or Belgian to show up. If that doesn't happen I could give it a try though.
i do understand dutch and the translation by Ascy is a good one the only question i have is how ould you name this number:10.000.000.000 becaus that is how many letters ware send by the german mail edit:somone pointed out that i missed 3 zeros in the number . i have changed it since
at 2:05 the plack reads: did you know that the solders used cocoa powder to make chocoladmilk in the morning? chocolad has a sweet tast and a high shugar contend. It is easely transported. the Red cross colected it at the "homefront" and distributed it amongst the soldiers
It actually says 10 miljard, which is 10 billion (10 000 000 000). 2:05 translates as: did you know that? in the morning the soldiers used cacao/cocoa powder to make hot chocolate. chocolate has a sweet taste and a high sugar content. it's also easy to transport. the red cross held collections at the homefront and distributed the cacoa powder to the soldiers.
It's humbling to be honest, gives me the urge to stop taking for granted the fact that I grew up in times of such relative peace compared to what the young men a century ago would have endured.
Pretty easily, really. The main source of injury from artillery, was the shrapnel, which these bunkers and blockhouses would protect you from. Secondary would be the overpressure blast, if you were somewhat close to the shell. These bunkers would mitigate the blast, unless it was right close to an opening. Could they survive a direct hit? Not likely, which is why they are sunken into the grount, to prevent them from being spotted, and targeted directly.
If you're standing in the open and artillery lands somewhat close to you, you're fucked If you're in a trench and the shell lands outside of it, you'll live if you keep you're head down But if it lands in the trench, you're fucked
water bottle in the first block house ... considering I only saw 3 pieces of trash in there, I assume nature gets cleaned out every once and a while too.
@@ghost963cz It's 0km in the border area. However Ypres/Ieper is not on the border, or indeed 10km from Germany. Are you from the US by any chance lol?
Man you physically get my respect -Charles-Lawrence Benoit-purdy I am a true patreriotot of hating the human race but you physically but not emotionally give me hope for our race I hope your life is remember by more than me but you get my respect sir I hope you live a long an happy life sir My respect Charles purdy Attention than (Salute) You are my hope for the human race that we are truly great at everything if we half to Thank you sir
Germans always had better everything. The trenches were much cleaner and tidier thus making it better for their soldiers and their health, therefore better chances at win the war. The English and the French trenches were awful, sometimes the soldiers would be sitting in rain water up to their chests and they’d contract deadly diseases from the unsanitary conditions of the trenches.
Iron Mike I think some of the German trenches had electricity and some times running water, they spent a lot of time on their trenches and made sure it was comfortable for themselves and yes they could have a decent sleep and whereas the British and French didn't spend as much time on their trenches because they were convinced that they weren't gonna be there that long.
Thanks Flanders for converting this unique place into a WW1 theme park to rival Disney, that is an appalling treatment. Typical of tourist hungrey flanders and it can only get worse. PS Where is the wood?
The following things might also be interesting to you, (when you are back in Belgium)- The fortresses around Antwerpen ( for a quick visit these are the most interesting: fort Liezele (www.fortliezele.be/ ), fort Kessel (www.fortvankessel.be/ ) and fortress nr 4 www.fortengordels.be/forten/fort-4-mortsel. ) You may Always contact me if you want to visite any of the above.
Such an idyllic scene with the beautiful trees, green grass and singing birds in the background. Yet back then it was probably a blasted, cratered moonscape filled with splintered trees and the stench of decaying corpses. It's difficult to imagine what it must have been like to live in those trench systems.
"thank you for tuning into Forgotten Trenches"
Partial translation of the sign:
The bunkers in Bayerwald only have an interior height of 1.20 meters and are only meant as a safe haven during shelling. They were built on a poured platform that rested on a (leaf) stabilising layer. Every bunker consists of two rooms, which are connected with a doorway. Every room has a shaft for a heater and/or periscope. In September 1918 there are 10 concrete bunkers in the original Bayernwald, that together sheltered 47 German soldiers.After the war, the concrete stones are very desirable materials for the reconstruction, therefor this type of bunker has become very rare.
In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Reeeeee
*“And then the winged hussars arrived”*
Amazing
@@Blackwolf-of5kx the winged hussars were impressive, unfortunately belt fed water cooled machine guns were even more impressive.
FYI Google translates the sign at 1:08 as...
During the war the soldiers wrote a lot of letters to the home front.
It was the only way to stay in touch with family friends. For example, the German military post sent more than 10 billion letters during the war. There was no cell phone or internet at all. They wrote the letters with pencil or with a pen.
That particular style of woven branch barrier is called "wattle."
Although I've been to Europe various times, I haven't had the chance to visit one of these trenches, so I'm joyfully surprised Ian filmed this. Here's to more boots-on-the-ground tours like this!
Every time I see you look above the trench, all I can think of "boom you dead!". Which makes this even more eerie.
The knowledge Ian and Karl have is very cool
I am guessing that the depth verried, ,, I am also guessing that the term " keep your head down " was not an idle suggestion....
Thanks for the good work. ..
Thank you for sharing, never be able to see these in person.
It is very sad seeing all of that liter laying about. Outside of that, AWESOME video. Must have been very humbling walking through those trenches.
Very cool stuff. I love the contrast of how beautiful and peaceful the countryside is today.
Interesting. I didn't know that Germany used Wicker in its trench construction. I learned something new today.
I enjoy these types of videos Ian
The best part of this video? The silence and the birds chirping.
Theses videos are very impressive please do as many as you can, awesome to see history this way.
visited this last weekend, very nice
A Bunch of Aussie WW1 re-enactors and I rented the house right next to these trenches.
Actually went to this place with school and it was amazing. And the little bunker bit i remember me and other lasses took a group photo of us hiding in it which was an amazing picture.
Just look at how narrow and tight these trenches are. Walking through them like that in good conditions is no problem I´d think but imagine how it must be when it is pouring, there is mud everywhere and people are stuffed into them, maybe even hurt or dead. It´s harrowing.
I wonder if they get flooded by rain these days
A_Shuchu _ not necessery. German trops given a loot of effort in their trenches unlike allies. Most of the times the germans chosen areas where ground water is unlikely to appear of if it cannot be awoided they make efforst to make drain sewers.
The French and british trenches were very muddy and smepled of dead bodies the germans had their own water system in the trenches and were deeper
This is so cool. It's on another level.
Imagine wading through the mud and the water that gathers up in those. That and the imminent death waiting if you just step outside the trenches at a bad time. Kind of spooky really.
i really enjoyed just hearing the nature for the video.
The jist of the sign at 2:06 is
The soldiers use morning cocoa powder to make chocolate milk?
Chocalade has a sweet taste and high sugar content. You can easily transport it. It was collected by the Red Cross at the home front and others divided the soldiers.
Clearly the signs are intended for the younger set.
Thanks for having stopped for us to be able to read the signs about the letters, cocoa powder, and the bunkers :)
Goddammitt Iain! You're EVERYWHERE Brother!
Great work as always.
Don't blasphemy
Finally! I've been waiting for this video for so long! It seems the German trenches didn't keep the soldiers above the water like the British one's. Great now I can't wait for the Belgian and French one's!
keller nine thats becouse the germans always retreated to higher ground before digging in so they didnt have the drainage issue.
That entirely depends on where the trenches were built. What we see here is a second or third line trench, meant to be used in case the the first line was taken. The soldiers didn't actually live in these trenches like in the first line, but instead camped slightly behind, only to take position in the trench if necessary. As the war progressed, most first line trenches were significantly more complex than this one, although a couple areas (especially to the north) were never properly upgraded.
That is also why the bunkers are so tiny - they are pure artillery bunkers, into which the soldiers ran upon being shelled, only to get out of them when the shelling stopped to repel attackers - those block houses are barely enough to protect your from artillery fragments. Not to mention that the trench is far too shallow to be of much use as a front-line trench, especially as it has too few MG positions.
Man, just a few inches for drainage. I imagine foot rot was a huge problem.
I went here during a school trip, and i was very excited to explore it. Too bad me and a couple of others were falsely accused of throwing an apple around the bus. We had to clean the bus instead of going in😣
It's wild that even sticking his head up like he did would have got it shot off and today you can just stroll around listening to the birds.
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing.
Wow, dass war richtig viel Arbeit.
Very neat
Its clean and nice
I can't even imagine what it must have been like to fight in those trenches. It's kind of getting me emotional thinking about it because I have family who fought in the trenches. Fuck.
i click a random video from a channel i never heard of and one of the face and voice i recognize the most on youtube pops up and start talking about trenches... i can't really comprehend it.
When the video started I was like, this guy has a you tube twin....
Stench in the trench will quench your wrench
How deep were they? Could an average height soldier fire over the top while standing or did they have to stand on something?
sewing1243 That's quite a small trench the frontline trenches way different
1.2 metres deep (4 feet) an average soldier would have to crouch not to get shot himself.
0:57 for one second I thought it was artillery fire and gunshots
Yeah I can confirm it sounds like gunfire since WW1 is happening in my backyard
@@duaine24 Ha
No I actually do
Can anyone provide a translation for the blue haired girl cartoon around 1:06 and 2:05
Thank you in advance.
"During the war soldiers wrote many letters to the 'homefront'.
It was the only way to stay in touch with family or friends. As a result the German military post sent over 10 billion letters during the war.
There was no such thing as a mobile phone or internet. The letters were written using pencil or a pen."
It's Dutch. I can somewhat figure it out but won't guarantee a decent translation. Let's wait for someone Dutch or Belgian to show up. If that doesn't happen I could give it a try though.
i do understand dutch and the translation by Ascy is a good one the only question i have is how ould you name this number:10.000.000.000 becaus that is how many letters ware send by the german mail
edit:somone pointed out that i missed 3 zeros in the number . i have changed it since
at 2:05 the plack reads: did you know that the solders used cocoa powder to make chocoladmilk in the morning? chocolad has a sweet tast and a high shugar contend. It is easely transported. the Red cross colected it at the "homefront" and distributed it amongst the soldiers
It actually says 10 miljard, which is 10 billion (10 000 000 000).
2:05 translates as:
did you know that?
in the morning the soldiers used cacao/cocoa powder to make hot chocolate.
chocolate has a sweet taste and a high sugar content. it's also easy to transport. the red cross held collections at the homefront and distributed the cacoa powder to the soldiers.
Wow what a view, but at that time it was like hell
That’s what I call “Walking the Line” Ian 😎
3:18 Ian storms German trench. O_o
idk but this is so cool
How was anyone supposed to survive an artillery bombardment in this. Very eye opening
It's humbling to be honest, gives me the urge to stop taking for granted the fact that I grew up in times of such relative peace compared to what the young men a century ago would have endured.
Pretty easily, really. The main source of injury from artillery, was the shrapnel, which these bunkers and blockhouses would protect you from. Secondary would be the overpressure blast, if you were somewhat close to the shell. These bunkers would mitigate the blast, unless it was right close to an opening. Could they survive a direct hit? Not likely, which is why they are sunken into the grount, to prevent them from being spotted, and targeted directly.
If you're standing in the open and artillery lands somewhat close to you, you're fucked
If you're in a trench and the shell lands outside of it, you'll live if you keep you're head down
But if it lands in the trench, you're fucked
Unless you are around a corner, which is why they are not straight.
You didn't survive that's the sad truth.
Just like great great grand pappy Wilhelm used to make!
who was that shadowy mass standing in the distance at 3:00?
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, I think? ~K
When will Ian and Karl offer an AR 15 build and operator class
Probably never. ~K
InRangeTV dam the history you both give on the AR is very supberb
Should it be in the netherlands?
And it's all being slowly reclaimed by nature.
water bottle in the first block house ... considering I only saw 3 pieces of trash in there, I assume nature gets cleaned out every once and a while too.
That’s interesting
the blood of heroes never die but lend a luster to the red in Flanders field
those wooden planks on the ground look a bit dangerous because when they get wet and get covered in mud they are slippery like ice
Luckily the soldiers were used to sliding around with leather soled boots (or even hobnails).
Sudden memories of playing CoD and CoD 2.
Ian i wish you would visit more of these places, tho i know funds a required....
Alright that kinda give me some information so thanks
fined out what it was like for ALL people in the trench's.read Poilu.by Corporal Louis Barthas,barrelmaker.
Thanks to Indy Nandel for telling me about this book.
Neat
Ian is in Germany? Is G11 coming???
"This unique German site is located between the villages of Wijtschate and Voormezele near Ypres" :-/
Yeah, didn't notice that :/ Germany is like 10km from Belgium tho!
@@ghost963cz It's 0km in the border area. However Ypres/Ieper is not on the border, or indeed 10km from Germany. Are you from the US by any chance lol?
Man you physically get my respect
-Charles-Lawrence Benoit-purdy
I am a true patreriotot of hating the human race but you physically but not emotionally give me hope for our race
I hope your life is remember by more than me but you get my respect sir I hope you live a long an happy life sir
My respect Charles purdy
Attention than (Salute)
You are my hope for the human race that we are truly great at everything if we half to
Thank you sir
Germans always had better everything. The trenches were much cleaner and tidier thus making it better for their soldiers and their health, therefore better chances at win the war. The English and the French trenches were awful, sometimes the soldiers would be sitting in rain water up to their chests and they’d contract deadly diseases from the unsanitary conditions of the trenches.
Iron Mike I think some of the German trenches had electricity and some times running water, they spent a lot of time on their trenches and made sure it was comfortable for themselves and yes they could have a decent sleep and whereas the British and French didn't spend as much time on their trenches because they were convinced that they weren't gonna be there that long.
How did the allies win ww1?
@@MatiasAimone the United States of America
WTF IS THAT AT 3:26 - 3:28 ??
A shadow?
Thats what they want you to tell us... XD
How do you did a trench like that while being shot at...??? Impressive the shit those men went through....
Probably foxholes first and connection later or sappers/miners went to town
If you send me pictures of the songs, I could translate them. They are in Dutch.
Of course some eejit had to throw their bottle into the blockhouse...
ww1 german solders look to have it tougher than the allies forces as far as comfort . great vid , thanks
Actually the german did have the high ground so less water problem and better shelters
How deep are the trenches ? German's are a tall people. Would have been dangerous to be 6' 7' walking in a trench.
The songbirds have a lot to say.
Fucking scary really. They were all just sat waiting to die.
Thanks Flanders for converting this unique place into a WW1 theme park to rival Disney, that is an appalling treatment. Typical of tourist hungrey flanders and it can only get worse.
PS Where is the wood?
why did they not leave the floors at the original level
The following things might also be interesting to you, (when you are back in Belgium)- The fortresses around Antwerpen ( for a quick visit these are the most interesting: fort Liezele (www.fortliezele.be/ ), fort Kessel (www.fortvankessel.be/ ) and fortress nr 4 www.fortengordels.be/forten/fort-4-mortsel. ) You may Always contact me if you want to visite any of the above.
Hurtle Revement
1:39 So Americans aren't the ONLY people with a habit of tossing plastic bottles into every dark crevice they can find. Good to know.
CountArtha In ever single country you will see that, what are you talking about?
only video I've ever seen on YT with several thousand views *WITHOU A DISLIKE* .. _GOOD_
It'll come. ~K
TIL that "bunker" is a German loan word!
FYI Bayernwald means Bavarian forest.
If this was in America the trenches would have wheelchair ramps with handrails and the block houses would be called "Safe Spaces".