Chavasse Farm

Chavasse Farm, self catering accommodation on the Somme Battlefields, WW1

[Zero Hour Z Day 1st July 1916 @zero_hour_z_day]

Views from the Shine Mametz and Tirpitz Trench RIR109 machine gun postions. From page 402 Zero Hour Z Day vol II

[Zero Hour Z Day 1st July 1916 @zero_hour_z_day]

Period panoramic view and three ground relief studies. For detailed info see volume II of Zero Hour Z Day https://t.co/U418L8BMLb

[Zero Hour Z Day 1st July 1916 @zero_hour_z_day]

This well-known photo taken at Mametz on 1 July 1916 was always a mystery. Who are the advancing troops? After a long analysis and process of elimination I believe they are A or C Coys 2nd Queen’s.

[Zero Hour Z Day 1st July 1916 @zero_hour_z_day]

The raids supporting bombarded also scored a lucky hit on the 10th Essex Bn HQ signal dugout. A roof beam crushed the CO Lt Col Jasper Fitzgerald Radcliffe DSO killing him. He is buried in Becourt Mil Cem. #Somme #WW1 #History

[Zero Hour Z Day 1st July 1916 @zero_hour_z_day]

Also connected to the RIR109 raid is this photo from their regimental history. Red Cross records listed all 12 British POWs, which included one L/Cpl. The photo shows the raiders and 7 of their prisoners. Only one is a L/Cpl and so probably Edward Sharp from Plaistow.

[Zero Hour Z Day 1st July 1916 @zero_hour_z_day]

Two more images of the RIR109 raid. Annotated period German aerial photo and sketch from the original post raid report.

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

It’s a lovely autumn day on the Somme Battlefields

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

@TerrierMcD Hopefully soon 🤞🏻

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

@ride4kingsmen It was taken from the road on the way to the 38th Div Memorial, coming from Mametz. Originally German held area but then British.

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

Dark clouds hovering over Mametz Wood as the poppies dance in the breeze.

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

A mass of poppies on the Somme Battlefield. Very close to Casino Point, with Pommiers Redoubt in the distance.

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

@WhizbangGary I can’t speak for Bernard but he has always been very friendly and I’m sure he will be more than happy for you to walk up to the Crucifix.

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

Bernard Maes of Fricourt Farm proudly showed me some of the recent finds on his land. A very nice and interesting man who is always happy to talk about his land and the Great War. #Sommebattlefield

[Paul Reed @sommecourt]

Walking the Somme: Ancre Valley. The latest episode of my podcast ⁦@OldFrontLinePod⁩ now on ⁦@ApplePodcasts⁩. #WW1 #Somme https://t.co/OgpIcA7e9V

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

Trones Wood with its dense undergrowth, fallen branches, shattered tree stumps all entangled with barbed wire and strewn with German and British dead made an altogether ghastly scene. On the eighth attack the wood was finally captured by men of the 18th Division.

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

The 18th Division Memorial, Trones Wood. Many trees have been felled to stop the spread of disease.

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

@April_1970s 😂

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

@_doMRG All are live!

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

A sizeable collection of iron harvest on the Somme Battlefield. Although the farmer has an extensive farm he has decided to pile the live munitions next to the farm house 🙈

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

@alan_provan @FareBrian Not very often, every few years or more in the case of this farm.

[Chavasse Farm @ChavasseFarm]

@dr_stifler 😂