The track came from Dun sur meuse, past |Aincreville and Bantheville, to Romagne. The Americans captured a lot of light railway from the Germans and restored the destroyed rails and started using the railway themselves. Route of the Argonnenbahn (red) and Förderbahn (blue) superimposed onto a modern map.For this purpose, there were 20 waggons, each equipped with an iron frame as a support for 2 stretchers each on coil springs. Wounded soldiers were transported on the trench railways, which had been laid by the pioneers, using four-wheeled wagons, which were pulled by horses or pushed by paramedics from the reception and triage zone at the medical shelters of the battalion to the terminus of the Argonnenbahn at the Toter-Mann-Mühle (Dead Man Mill).

In the opposite direction, it was used to transport the wounded from the Toter-Mann-Mühle (Dead Man Mill) to the Field Hospital No 5 in Senuc, on wagons prepared for the transport of the wounded in accordance with the wartime medical order book. One among many lost in the morass of the Somme and Verdun.The pioneers of the German army built the Argonnenbahn as a light railway powered by steam and benzene locomotives to transport troops and to supply the front with building materials, weapons, ammunition and supplies. 29, 1916 to Raymond’s father: “there is no hope of his being alive.” Harris, Lieutenant, 1st Canadian Division, HQ, BEF France wrote on Oct. They are fed up with fighting and throw their hands up without a fight.” I would like to know what the Hun big bugs think. They must be short when they put their sailors into land battles. The weather may save his luck but from what I see will not hinder much. 4, 1916: “The war still goes on with much gusto and Fritz still goes luck. Penniman was lost at the Somme, officially reported missing Oct. Royal Canadian Regiment, Seventh Brigade, Third Division, BEF. One of those witnesses was Lieutenant Ray Penniman, Military Cross, Co. They Shall Not Pass | 1916 sheds light on the personal side of the conflict.

Nearly all of the objects and documents are being exhibited for the first time in the Museum’s history. Noteworthy objects on exhibit include a British Vickers machine gun, a Verdun commemorative flag, German uniforms from regiments at both battles and a French infantry folding bicycle. This special centennial exhibition draws on the extensive collection of the Museum and Memorial to show the immense scope of the 1916 Western Front battles and other areas of action. On June 23, French General Robert Nivelle exhorted his men to hold: vous ne les laisserrez pas passer (you shall not let them pass).The shortened adopted French battle cry then and forever after the 1916 battle was on ne passe pas or ils ne passeront pas (they shall not pass). 21, 1916 and lasting until the French counter offensive on Dec. In September 1914, the British Expeditionary Force was not involved in the battles of Picardy and Albert so it is not as well recorded or reported.Īlthough fighting around the ancient fortress city of Verdun started in 1914 and continued until 1918, the massive German offensive beginning on Feb. The Battle of the Somme in 1916 was actually the second Battle of the Somme. All aptly describe the two pivotal battles of 1916, the Somme and Verdun.Īn attack along a front of 18 miles from Maricourt, north of the River Somme, to Gommecourt by British and French forces was meant to break the Western Front stalemate. Mud and mayhem, death and destruction, staggering unnecessary losses.

Verdun 1916