Thursday, 18 October 2012

Op Drum - In Flanders Fields Museum

 
In Flanders Fields Museum

First visit to "In Flanders Field Museum"

The map display is very informative as the battles unfold in the display screens and the locations are superimposed on the ground of today.

In Flanders fields Museum
Battles of Ypres diplay
Battles of Ypres 1914 - 1918
Trench Model

Trench Model


During the Third Battle of Ypres the weather conditions turned the entire Salient into a “porridge of mud”. As a consequence the Royal Engineers were unable to construct the plank roads for the forward move of the guns. The guns therefore remained in place unable to take advantage of any ground gained. They were also operating at extreme range, just being able to hit the German front line. Consequently any targets in depth, and counter battery fire were not achievable.  In addition it was not possible for many guns to find secure platforms, causing inaccurate fire. The 18 pounder guns required a foundation of fascines and road metal with two layers of thick planks to provide a platform. Even then it might only last for 24 hours. Some batteries resorted to building platforms out of shell cases.

 Many  bombardments were largely ineffective. The wire was not cut; HE shells buried in the mud had little effect. The creeping barrage was ragged or nonexistent in some areas and the infantry were unable to keep pace with the it as the floundered in deep liquid mud.

 
 
Ammunition supply was a problem in the quagmire. Ammunition limbers and wagons could not bring ammunition direct to the guns necessitating movement by hand or by mule.

In Flanders fields Museum
Horse Ammunition Carrier
In Flanders fields Museum
Four legged friend