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Front cover of Le Pays de France, 9 September 1915
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Front cover of Le Pays de France, 9 September 1915
Front cover of Le Pays de France, 9 September 1915. French sappers placing a mine under a German trench. The placing of huge explosive mines in tunnels beneath enemy trenches became a common tactic on the Western Front during World War I. The work was difficult, dangerous and claustrophobic, with the risk of cave-ins and of encountering enemy tunnellers, leading to hand to hand fighting underground. British sappers spent two years placing 21 mines beneath the German lines at Messines Ridge near Ypres. At the opening of the Third Battle of Ypres (Paschendaele) in 1917 the mines were simultaneously detonated (only 19 exploded - one remains unaccounted for and theoretically still live today) causing 10, 000 German casualties
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Claustrophobic Danger Dangerous Digging Military Engineering Mine Mines Mining Sapper Sappers Trench Trench Warfare Trenches Tunnel Tunneling Unaware Underground Western Front 1st World War Metaphor Military Personnel Print Collector3
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Front cover of Le Pays de France, 9 September 1915 - A Glimpse into the Dangerous World of Trench Warfare
EDITORS COMMENTS
. This print captures a pivotal moment in history during World War I. The front cover of Le Pays de France, dated 9 September 1915, showcases French sappers courageously placing a mine beneath a German trench on the Western Front. This strategic tactic involved digging tunnels underneath enemy lines and planting explosive mines to disrupt and weaken their defenses. The image portrays the immense challenges faced by these brave soldiers as they worked tirelessly underground. Claustrophobic conditions, constant danger from cave-ins, and unexpected encounters with enemy tunnellers made this task incredibly perilous. Hand-to-hand combat was not limited to the surface; it extended deep beneath the earth's surface. Notably, British sappers spent two years meticulously laying down 21 mines under German positions at Messines Ridge near Ypres. These efforts culminated in an awe-inspiring display of destruction during the opening of the Third Battle of Ypres (Paschendaele) in 1917 when most of these mines were simultaneously detonated. The resulting explosions caused devastating casualties among German forces. This photograph serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals who fought valiantly during World War I. It symbolizes both the ingenuity and bravery exhibited by military engineers known as sappers while highlighting one aspect of trench warfare that forever changed modern warfare tactics.
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