| Accession Number | E03908 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Glass original whole plate negative |
| Date made | 17 August 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
17 August 1918. A photograph depicting the untoward incident which marked the assembly of ...
Description
17 August 1918. A photograph depicting the untoward incident which marked the assembly of supplies prior to the offensive of 8 August 1918. One company of Gun Carrier Mark 1 tracked vehicles allotted to the 5th Division had occupied its lying-up position in the Orchard north of Villers-Bretenneux, and about 4 p.m. on 7 August, a chance enemy shot set fire to one of them. The resulting explosion of petrol and munitions aided by additional enemy fire caused a total wreckage of these gun carriers and supplies. Replacements, however, were effected before the battle opened.