"Abandoned British position captured by the Germans" Topic

"This cold and desolate image shows an abandoned British trench following a German attack, with mounted German infantry looming menacingly in the background. An inscription on the back of the photograph reads, Die Große Schlacht im Westen. Der Stab einer Infanterie-Division … ueberscreiten einer genommenen engl. Stellung. This translates as, ‘The Great Battle in the West. The staff of an infantry division…crosses a taken English position.'

The trench floors are littered with cigarette papers, match boxes, and tinned food all left behind in the hurried retreat. Corrugated iron sheets have been thrown together haphazardly to create rude bunkers along the line, inside which we see more empty food packets and further signs of a hastily-beaten evacuation…"

From here.
link

Hope you enjoy!.

Amicalement
Armand

The photograph likely dates from Operation Michael, launched in late March 1918. The trenches look like the shallower trenches taken over by the British when their line was extended below St Quentin. The ground is dry, which is consistent with the dry conditions that pertained in the late winter and early spring of 1918.

Some of the horsemen are wearing Stahlhelm, which is consistent with late war. A few are carrying lances. This would be consistent with an infantry divisional headquarters. Cavarlymen still served as messengers and for guard and other duties.

Robert

Many thanks for your good guidance Robert!.

Amicalement
Armand