German Trenches at Villers-Bretonneux, France (c. 1918)
Description:
This lantern slide, “German Trenches at Villers-Bretonneux, France (c. 1918)” shows what appears to be a gun at the edge of a deep German trench in Villers-Bretonneux. The slide is severely damaged.
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
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Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
Villers-Bretonneux is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France. On April 24, 1918, during World War I, this small town was the site of the world’s first battle between two tank forces: three British Mark IVs against three German A7Vs. The Germans took the town, but that night and the following day, the 4th and 5th Division of the AIF recaptured the town at a cost of over twelve hundred Australian lives. In honor of this sacrifice, the Australian War Memorial in France is located just outside Villers-Bretonneux . Furthermore, the town’s school was rebuilt through donations from school children of Victoria, and above every blackboard is the inscription "N'oublions jamais l'Australie" (Let us never forget Australia). This slide is part of Springfield College's collection of lantern slides depicting war work performed by the Australian Y.M.C.A. during World War I.
Text on border reads, "Villers-Bretonneux Germ. front line trenches"; Damage and discoloration covers much of the slide
Part of the Australian Y.M.C.A. WWI Lantern Slide Series
