Somme 2023 - Lochnagar Crater

 The Lochnagar crater, south of the village of La Boisselle, was left by the explosion of the largest of 19 mines that were detonated prior to Zero Hour on 1st July 1916 to assist the infantry advance at the start of the battle.

IJ Lochnagar Crater

La Boisselle / Lochnagar Crater [X]

La Boisselle / Lochnagar Crater

The mine was dug beneath a German field fortification, the Schwabenhöhe. When detonated it left a crater crater 21 m (69 ft)  deep and 100 m (330 ft) wide. The crater was captured and held by British troops, and offered refuge for troops as the attack of the 34th Division faltered from heavy machine gun fire and artillery fire. 

Troops passing Lochnagar Crater, October 1916
Source: (IWM Q 1479)

Lochnagar Crater March 2023

Lochnagar Crater March 2023

Lochnagar Crater Memorial March 2023

Op Drum - Somme Oct 2012

Albert

Basilica Albert

 

Royal Artillery Association Tyneside Scottish Branch

Tyneside Memorial Ceremony

 

 

RAA Tyneside Scottish Branch and Heaton Manor (Tyneside Scottish) Detachment Northumbria ACF
Tyneside Scottish memorial ceremony 

 

Observing two minutes silence

Wreath Laying

RAA Tyneside Scottish Branch
Tyneside Scottish Memorial La Bosiselle

  

Heaton Manor (Tyneside Scottish) Detachment Northumbria ACF
Tyneside Scottish Memorial La Bosiselle

 

Lochnagar Crater

 

Somme - Lochnagar Crater

Lochnagar Crater

In preparation for the assault on La Boiselle two large mines had been laid under the salient formed by the trenches around La Boiselle. To the north was Y Sap, 40,000 pounds, and to the south, Lochnagar, 60,000 pounds.

The mines were detonated 2 minutes before zero hour, the crater left by the Lochnagar explosion remaining to this day.
http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=50.015601&lon=2.697328&z=15.1&r=0&src=msl

 Friends of Lochnagar Crater