Battle of Passchendaele

Discussion in 'World War 1' started by liverpool annie, Dec 28, 2008.

  1. liverpool annie

    liverpool annie New Member

    In World War I, successful but costly British operation to capture the Passchendaele ridge in western Flanders, part of the third Battle of Ypres October-November 1917 - British casualties numbered nearly 310,000. The name is often erroneously applied to the whole of the battle of Ypres, but Passchendaele was in fact just part of that battle.

    The ridge, some 60 m/200 ft high, had been captured and fortified by the Germans in October 1914. It was a vital strategic gain as it gave them command of the Allied lines. Hence, its capture was an important target of the British strategy during the third battle of Ypres, despite the strong resistance offered by the German defenders. It was re-taken by the Germans in March 1918 and recovered again by the Belgians in October 1918.

    Even the word "Passchendaele" evokes an emotion that is hard to explain ...... here are two books that chronicle both sides ...... they both had a bitter struggle

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Passchendaele-Peter-Barton/dp/184529422X/ref=pd_rhf_f_t_cs_1

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/German-Army-at-Passchendaele/dp/1844155641/ref=pd_rhf_f_t_cs_2

    Annie :)
     
  2. liverpool annie

    liverpool annie New Member

    In 1917, Frank Hurley joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) as an honorary captain and captured many stunning battlefield scenes during the Battle of Passchendaele. In keeping with his adventurous spirit, he took considerable risks to photograph his subjects, also producing many rare colour photographs of the conflict. His period with the AIF ended in March 1918. Hurley also served as a war photographer during World War II.
    He took some truely unforgetable photographs ... heres one that evokes the emotions !

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/national_library_of_australia/1357909157/in/photostream/

    Annie :)
     
  3. David Layne

    David Layne Active Member

  4. I am a great fan, of Hurley's work. But we also do have to take in consideration that Hurley was an artist, who already "photoshopped" "avant la lettre" with coloured lenses and in his dark room, which techniques helped to dramatise the photographs even more.
    Considering the state of photography in those days without even computers, it might add to your amazement for Hurley's achievement with such primitive tools.
    Really, A great photographer!
     
  5. [​IMG]

    Of this picture of Hurley for instance, "An episode after the Battle of Zonnebeke", there have been two copies published: one with airplanes and one without! So, Photoshopping a la 1917!
    But even without airplanes it is still an impactful photograph; the soldiers on the battlefield grounds are real.
    Source.
     
  6. liverpool annie

    liverpool annie New Member

    I am a big fan of Frank Hurley also ... he was definitely a man before his time .....

    My favourite ........ is the picture "tired soldiers" .... you can just imagine them walking along each with his own thoughts !

    Annie
     
  7. liverpool annie

    liverpool annie New Member

    Heres the picture ...
     

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