The crater was blown as the result of a massive underground explosion, early on the morning of 1st July 1916, to mark the start of the Somme offensive. Two charges of explosive totalling a whopping 54,000 lbs created this crater, which originally measured 300 ft across and 90 ft deep. As you look at it, it is not hard to imagine that debris from the explosion flew some 4,000 ft in the air.
The sad thing about this colossal explosion, magnificent though it was, was that it happened in not quite the right place and, as a result, did no harm the German defences.
Fortunately for visitors such as ourselves, the land containing the crater was privately bought in 1978 to prevent it being filled in and built upon by local farmers. It is now one of the most visited war time sites and a ceremony takes place on 1st July each year at the big wooden cross, to commemorate the start of the Somme offensive.
As I posed for this picture at the edge of the crater in order to give a sense of scale, two visitors mistakenly took me for a commemorative tribute to the war time dead, that some-one had left behind, instead of flowers. Those same people looked a bit surprised when I was reclaimed by my minder and secreted well away in a rucksack. While this was a very interesting place to visit, I had no intention of being left behind!
Lots of love Gilbert and friends xxx
1 comment:
Gilbert, we got so worried that you might either fall in or get left behind. We were so relieved to hear that you were retrieved and safely restored to your place in the rucksack.
Post a Comment