The newfoundland trenches at Beaumont hamel on the somme give a truer impression of just how close the enemy were yet how impossible it was to cover the ground
I think they give the impression of how difficult it was to cross No Man’s Land in broad daylight but these trenches at Massiges are only a mine crater apart.
I think they give the impression of how difficult it was to cross No Man’s Land in broad daylight but these trenches at Massiges are only a mine crater apart.
What a great video. I didn't know about this memorial. The bit where you pointed out the closeness of the enemy trenches was a real shock. I was imaging lines in the distance.
Its a remarkable place we took our Motorhome up there stayed the night and to walk around at night is something else in the Dark it takes on another level we did not use battery torches but we took tilly lamps to really feel what its like and its not for the faint hearted Give it a try I guarantee you will not be disappointed maybe do a video
Great video. I went to the 90th Anniversary of Vimy ridge, another great intact trench system, and the Sapeurs Pompiers had to evacuate someone who had fainted under the intense heat; so watched the surreal image of 8 fireman carrying a stretcher across the trenches; along-down-across-up...passing it between them, just like in the black and white photos of that time gone by.
My great uncle(b.1897 Normandy,France🇫🇷)died in 1915 WWI aged 18 as a soldier..gassed to death by the ennemy in a muddy trench with other soldiers according to french military officials. His body was NEVER found neither were the other soldiers. His brief life was a hard one. His mother(my great grandmother)died aged 31 in 1906 from a flu leaving him aged 9 and his 5yrs.old sister(my grandmother) motherless as poor peasants. Their father(my great grandfather)never remarried🪖🕯 😢💔🙏🏻⚘️ Thank you for sharing this historic video with us...helps me understand whatmy great uncle went through.
I visited it last year and like you I thought it really impressive. It gave me a real insight into a WW1 trench system that you rarely see on the old front line. Definitely worth a visit.
I stumbled into your channel just this very afternoon. Amazing to see the restored trench system in this episode. With a keen interest in W.W.I and W.W.II history, instantly subbed! Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
My grandfather William was born in 1887. Italian front, Alpini Fiamme Verdi. He runned through many battlefields in first wave bayonet assaults. The hell on earth. He was a survivor. Rip.
Such an amazing place. I recall you telling me about it, Paul, when I moved to Germany. Glad I paid a visit and you are right, it’s definitely a top 5 Western Front site.
Thanks for this taster of what a mate and I will see next month when we visit here and the Verdun battlefields. Hoping for less wetness! If have to choose between Main de Messiges and Butte de Vauquois, which would you recommend?
Absolutely amazing to see. I had never known that somewhere as evocative as this existed as Im used to all the various reconstructed trenches in Flanders. This is spooky and as though the French have simply walked out and abandoned it when the war ended....
Brilliant video Paul always a great presentation, i had the great pleasure of meeting you in person several years ago when i went on a battlefield tour to the Somme. Since that week i have always held you in the highest regard. Well done sir.
Im hoping to visit following on from your video - how do you access it? on google maps there is a tiny village just south do you drive there and then up the tracks? any signs? many thanks.
Hi - yes, you drive up through the village, it’s signposted there too, and straight up to the site. There are no fences, it’s just open pretty much all the time! Amazing place and you won’t regret visiting it.
Thanks for this interesting video. Interesting also to compare it with what is currently happening in Ukraine where trench warfare is coming back - and how organised these old trenches look compared to what you see from them. And the one on the video is even from the first part of the war. Wonder if the Ukraines have something to learn from this archaeological site that can help them to understand more about how to stop their enemies and save more lives?
Thanks, and yes the parallels with Ukraine are not lost on me. And I agree there could be huge lessons from WW1 trench warfare for the current conflict.
Good video 👍🏼 So sad that this is still happening in Ukraine all though not entirely the same but similar . Still humans caught up in geopolitics when most just want a peaceful life.
Thanks for showing this amazing place, went there 2 times and find it the best place where you can see how it was in ww1.
Agreed, it really leaves an impression on you.
The newfoundland trenches at Beaumont hamel on the somme give a truer impression of just how close the enemy were yet how impossible it was to cover the ground
I think they give the impression of how difficult it was to cross No Man’s Land in broad daylight but these trenches at Massiges are only a mine crater apart.
I think they give the impression of how difficult it was to cross No Man’s Land in broad daylight but these trenches at Massiges are only a mine crater apart.
What a great video. I didn't know about this memorial. The bit where you pointed out the closeness of the enemy trenches was a real shock. I was imaging lines in the distance.
I’m glad you found it of interest - the closeness of the trenches is mind-blowing at times.
Its a remarkable place we took our Motorhome up there stayed the night and to walk around at night is something else in the Dark it takes on another level we did not use battery torches but we took tilly lamps to really feel what its like and its not for the faint hearted Give it a try I guarantee you will not be disappointed maybe do a video
I’ve never been up there at night… that’s a great idea! Thank you.
Thank you for taking me on this journey, I sure hope to go someday myself.
I really hope you get the chance!
Great video. I went to the 90th Anniversary of Vimy ridge, another great intact trench system, and the Sapeurs Pompiers had to evacuate someone who had fainted under the intense heat; so watched the surreal image of 8 fireman carrying a stretcher across the trenches; along-down-across-up...passing it between them, just like in the black and white photos of that time gone by.
Gosh, what a memory! Was there that day too. Back in 87 I attended the 70th when veterans were still present.
The Sapeurs-Pompiers are part of the army in France (the Parisian ones at least) and actually served in the First World War.
A troubling looking place to say the least. Thank you for taking us where those before us fought for freedom from tyranny.
I’m glad you found it of interest.
My great uncle(b.1897 Normandy,France🇫🇷)died in 1915 WWI aged 18 as a soldier..gassed to death by the ennemy in a muddy trench with other soldiers according to french military officials. His body was NEVER found neither were the other soldiers. His brief life was a hard one. His mother(my great grandmother)died aged 31 in 1906 from a flu leaving him aged 9 and his 5yrs.old sister(my grandmother) motherless as poor peasants. Their father(my great grandfather)never remarried🪖🕯 😢💔🙏🏻⚘️
Thank you for sharing this historic video with us...helps me understand whatmy great uncle went through.
@@suzymoon2067 thanks for sharing his story, so important to remember these things.
@@OldFrontLine glad to share it👍
I visited it last year and like you I thought it really impressive. It gave me a real insight into a WW1 trench system that you rarely see on the old front line. Definitely worth a visit.
Thanks, Chris - it’s an amazing place!
Great job again thx Paul
Thank you!
Amazing place! Would love to go there this summer! Thank you for the upload!
I would very much recommend it.
I went here a few years ago with Leger. Amazing place. An excellent bit of film, such nice clear, sharp filming
Thank you!
I stumbled into your channel just this very afternoon. Amazing to see the restored trench system in this episode. With a keen interest in W.W.I and W.W.II history, instantly subbed!
Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
Thanks, and you are very welcome! More videos coming soon!
superbe video , encore une région que je n'ai pas encore visité , merci pour se doc
Merci!
Great video. Moving.
Thank you.
Absolutely incredible!
It is - and well worth a visit!
Brings me bk to ypres school trip...can sense the atmosphere...nice vid...all the best paul
Thank you, Kevin!
Thanks for an excellent Vlog Paul. I'm amazed that I've only just seen it! Will it be on a future Leger itinerary?
It’s already on the Reims and Verdun tour!
@OldFrontLine Just seen it in the catalogue. I've already done this trip in 2012. Definitely worth revisiting!
@@stephenhunt3200 new itinerary since 2023!
A place that's high on my list to get to soon!
I first went there in 2013 and never tire of going back!
@@OldFrontLine Thanks for sharing it with us
Another great video Paul, really enjoying the video content alongside your podcasts. I hope to be able to visit here in the future.
Thanks again - and yes, I hope you get the chance!
My grandfather William was born in 1887. Italian front, Alpini Fiamme Verdi. He runned through many battlefields in first wave bayonet assaults. The hell on earth. He was a survivor. Rip.
An amazing story, thanks for sharing it with us.
Such an amazing place. I recall you telling me about it, Paul, when I moved to Germany. Glad I paid a visit and you are right, it’s definitely a top 5 Western Front site.
Thanks, Alan - glad you made it there!
Where you just being "Diverse" selecting a picture of French Colonial troops at 3:27 or were they actually there at the time?
French Colonial soldiers fought at Massiges as early as December 1914. I try not to use anything that isn’t relevant to the story.
Thanks for this taster of what a mate and I will see next month when we visit here and the Verdun battlefields. Hoping for less wetness! If have to choose between Main de Messiges and Butte de Vauquois, which would you recommend?
Massiges every time!!
@@OldFrontLine thanks!!
@@OldFrontLine Well you were right. Fabulous experience at Massignes. And all around Verdun.
Absolutely amazing to see. I had never known that somewhere as evocative as this existed as Im used to all the various reconstructed trenches in Flanders. This is spooky and as though the French have simply walked out and abandoned it when the war ended....
Thanks, John!
Brilliant video Paul always a great presentation, i had the great pleasure of meeting you in person several years ago when i went on a battlefield tour to the Somme. Since that week i have always held you in the highest regard. Well done sir.
Thank you, Graham - really appreciate those kind comments!
Im hoping to visit following on from your video - how do you access it? on google maps there is a tiny village just south do you drive there and then up the tracks? any signs? many thanks.
Hi - yes, you drive up through the village, it’s signposted there too, and straight up to the site. There are no fences, it’s just open pretty much all the time! Amazing place and you won’t regret visiting it.
What a must see place. Thanks Paul!
Thanks, Jack!
Great video thanks hopefully i can see it in person one day
they did a good job reconstructing the trenches
They did indeed!
If this is one of the top 5 Western Front sites, what are the other 4?
Very good question! Maybe I will cover that in a future video!
Thanks for this interesting video. Interesting also to compare it with what is currently happening in Ukraine where trench warfare is coming back - and how organised these old trenches look compared to what you see from them. And the one on the video is even from the first part of the war.
Wonder if the Ukraines have something to learn from this archaeological site that can help them to understand more about how to stop their enemies and save more lives?
Thanks, and yes the parallels with Ukraine are not lost on me. And I agree there could be huge lessons from WW1 trench warfare for the current conflict.
The ghosts that walk there. Hallowed gruond.
Indeed they do.
Are these real trenches of ww1? Or they are just models?
@@moviesondemand7342 as explained in the video, they are reconstructed trenches using original methods and equipment.
Good video 👍🏼
So sad that this is still happening in Ukraine all though not entirely the same but similar .
Still humans caught up in geopolitics when most just want a peaceful life.
Thanks, yes the resonance with Ukraine isn’t lost on me when I’m in these places.
The saddest part is that this could very well be images of Ukraine today
Sadly, all too true.
I'm not sure they use as much barbed wire.
In some places , the crows made their nests out of barbed wire because that was all that was left !
so many straight lines in the trenches... thats really bad for artillery shelling...
True, but many early trenches were like that. That’s what this site reflects - the changing nature of trench warfare.
@OldFrontLine I see