Crimson Coast Day 1

[smallhobbit]

This year TD (The Daughter) and I went on a WWI tour which concentrated on what was happening behind the scenes, as opposed to on the battlefield. It was based on the Opal Coast, and took its title from the BBC series The Crimson Field.

We began in Montreuil-sur-Mer, which was the Headquarters of the British Western Front command:





And here is General Haig himself:



And the church:



It's clear the memorial to those who died from the town commemorated above is taken from the Pieta in the church.

In the afternoon we visited the big Commonwealth War Graves cemetary in Etaples:



Etaples had a big military cemetary, so it wasn't just soldiers who were buried here:





And there were all races too:


From there we went to Wimereux Military Cemetary, where Lt-Col John McCrae, who wrote In Flanders Fields is buried.


Our final stop of the day was at the memorial to the Dover Patrol. As you can see, there was a sea mist.

Comments

[badly_knitted]

It must have been very moving to visit the cemeteries. So many brave people, so many dead =(

[smallhobbit]

It was, although it didn't quite have the impact when we first saw Tyne Cot cemetary last year, which is even bigger. But it still does feel moving. There is a dot to the right of the tree in the left hand photo of all the gravestones which is TD, who is six foot.

[badly_knitted]

The sheer scale is mind-boggling.

[smallhobbit]

It is indeed.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Lovely photos! like the mist especially. Sounds like the perfect tour for you!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. It would have been a great view, if only we could have seen it. It was an ideal tour.

[debriswoman]

Fascinating...a lot seen in a short time.

[smallhobbit]

It was - and yes, the days were tiring, but very worthwhile.

[mafief]

Time sure flies. It seems like you were just posting about planning this trip.

Did you learn anything new on this trip?
What’s the significance of the maple leaf?

[smallhobbit]

It may be because I was posting about planning next year's trip.

I learned a lot. The maple leaf is because she was part of the Canadian army nursing service.

[margaret_r]

What lovely photos, and so sad to see all the tombstones. The tour looks fascinating, it's so important that the events of the past and the people who lived them are not forgotten. We had our ANZAC day last Thursday, a day for us to remember and appreciate those who fought in all the wars.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - it is very sad. The tour was really interesting, although tiring. I shall be writing a little about ANZAC Day on my Day 3 post.

[luthienberen]

Sad yet humbling and very interesting. The pictures are beautiful. I hope you managed to catch your breath after such a tour, as it must have been tiring!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - I'm glad you like the photos. It was a very interesting tour, very tiring but worthwhile. I'm still processing it.