Surprise at dawn on the Western Front
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Surprise at dawn on the Western Front
South-east of Ypres, a German trench-building party is surprised by British gunfire. The trench builders had been working under cover of the night mist and were unaware of their close proximity to the rapidly constructed British position. As the early morning became lighter, the British open fire and put a halt to the German construction work. Date: 1915
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Media ID 14168914
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Dawn Germans Gunfire Infantry Matania Sandbags Surprise Trench Ypres
EDITORS COMMENTS
Surprise at Dawn: A Pivotal Moment on the Western Front, 1915 This evocative image captures the raw intensity and unpredictability of trench warfare on the Western Front during World War I. The scene unfolds in the early hours south-east of Ypres, where a German trench-building party is taken aback by the sudden roar of British gunfire. The German soldiers had been laboring under the cover of the night mist, oblivious to their close proximity to the rapidly constructed British position. The photograph, taken by renowned war artist Fortunino Matania, vividly depicts the moment of surprise and disarray among the German troops. They scramble for cover behind the sandbags, their faces etched with shock and alarm. In the background, British infantrymen emerge from their trenches, their rifles at the ready. The scene is a stark reminder of the constant threat of danger that loomed over both sides during the First World War. The date of this incident is 1915, a pivotal year in the conflict. The Germans had been making significant gains in the region, and the British were determined to halt their progress. The element of surprise was crucial in this engagement, and the British were successful in putting a halt to the German construction work. This powerful image offers a glimpse into the harsh realities of trench warfare and the constant state of alertness required by soldiers on both sides. It serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who fought in the First World War.
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