Description: Vintage gelatin silver, WW1 Official press photo "On The British Western Front" of British soldier & German GEW 98 Rifles in captured German concrete strongpoint "Sachsenfeste " (Saxon Fort), in 11th June 1917. partial stamp - "passed for transmission abroad" Reference# 0-4955 "THE BATTLE OF MESSINES, JUNE 1917Brooks, Ernest (Lieutenant) (Photographer)Production date1917-06-11 - iwm.org.uk/collections" More on the battle of Messines below: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.WORLD WAR I EVENTS "Battle of Messines, (7–14 June 1917), British victory during World War I. The capture of Messines Ridge was a preliminary operation that took place just prior to the Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres). High-explosive mines placed under the German lines were used to devastating effect, and the blast from the explosions could be heard in London some 130 miles (209 km) distant. The first stage in the British Flanders offensive was the securing of Ypres through the capture of the Messines Ridge just to the south of the city. Preparation had begun a year earlier with the digging of mines under the ridge. The tunneling companies of General Sir Herbert Plumer’s Second Army completed nineteen mines containing around one million pounds of high explosive. Plumer was well aware of the siege-warfare nature of fighting on the Western Front; he planned his offensives with meticulous detail, and his cautious approach saved lives and earned him the affectionate respect of his soldiers. The British attack at Messines on 7 June opened with the explosion of the mines, causing a virtual earthquake that immediately killed as many as 10,000 German soldiers. A hurricane bombardment by 2,000 guns preceded the advance of nine British and Australian infantry divisions, which proved a complete success. The artillery provided a highly effective "creeping barrage" that protected the infantry as they climbed up the ridge. The infantry met little opposition, with many Germans staggering over the battlefield in a confused state; some 7,000 prisoners were taken that morning. Once the ridge was in British hands, field artillery pieces were brought forward to help deal with the inevitable German counterattacks, which, in the event, were repulsed fairly easily. With the Messines Ridge in British hands, the focus of attention now moved to the breakout from the Ypres salient." Image meas. apx. 8 1/2" X 6 5/8". Judge condition of images from scan but please ask any and all questions before bidding as I want you to bid with confidence. These are historical images documenting a bygone era ... On multiple purchases please wait for invoice before paying as I combine items to save you money on shipping. Feedback will always be left once it is received. Note - International buyers: I use the Global Shipping program because ebay requires that I have a tracking # on all sales to protect both buyer and seller. Please consider the cost of shipping before bidding on an item. Thank you. Thanks for looking and please check out my other auctions and eBay Store. New images are listed often so come back soon.
Price: 34.99 USD
Location: Royal Oak, Michigan
End Time: 2025-01-10T22:18:36.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Region of Origin: Europe
Framing: Unframed
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Size Type/Largest Dimension: Medium (Up to 10")
Listed By: Dealer or Reseller
Date of Creation: 1910-1919
Featured Refinements: Press Photo
Color: Black & White
Photo Type: Gelatin Silver
Subject: Military & Political
Time Period Manufactured: Vintage & Antique (Pre-1940)
Original/Reprint: Original Print
Type: Photograph