sp1t2 0 Posted April 27, 2009 I haven't posted since OFF changed sites. I've been too busy setting up a website about my uncle's wartime career with Bomber Command. I've just been invited to participate in a dig at the WW1 battle site at Ploegsteert in Belgium in August. So I'm now organising another trip to the UK. I haven't been to any of the battle sites in Europe before only to Gallipoli back in 1980. I'm looking forward to the experience of helping to uncover 90 year old history. After studying maps of the area there are a lot of familiar battle sites in the area to visit if I get any time off. I'll give a report on the trip when I get back. Kerry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted April 27, 2009 Very interesting. I envy your opportunity. Please do share your experience with us here. I know I would appreciate that. Best wishes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shredward 12 Posted April 27, 2009 A golden opportunity to throw back the shroud of time! Where will the dig be - what are they hoping to find? Is this the Diggers, or another group? Tell us more! shredward Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted April 27, 2009 Be prepared, that you will still face horror, when you uncover the veil of time... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hasse Wind 46 Posted April 27, 2009 Sounds fascinating. I've always been interested in battlefield archaelogy (don't have any academic training as an archaelogist), but sadly have never visited any WW1 battlefield of the Western front. But I've been to the old East Prussian battlefields where Russian armies were wiped out in the fall of 1914. There used to be some Nazi-built memorials there (and all that pompous Speer architecture of huge stone blocks they loved), but not anymore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted April 27, 2009 That brings a memory from the holiday trips back, my girlfriend and I made in the eighties. We found an open field way in the Normandy, were the fishermen drove down to the beach. So we did that too, and our car stood on the beach, with it's German number plates. I saw several smaller bunkers in the dunes, some of them had already fallen half over. When I studied one closer, a French fisherman came towards me. He sais: "When will you come back here, to clear our dunes, and remove your concrete stuff, hm?" Although I hadn't even been born, when they were built there - I felt ashamed somehow... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sp1t2 0 Posted April 27, 2009 Hasse Wind The only qualifications I needed were a willingness to put in 5 days hard labour and a relative who fought in WW1. Knowing someone on the inside helped too. The dig is run by a couple of MOD historians. The area that is being worked on is where Australians fought and last years dig recovered one Digger and a range of artifacts. I don't know if he's been identified yet but at least he now has a formal grave in a cemetry. Kerry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shredward 12 Posted April 27, 2009 Hi Kerry, Australian battleground - sounds like your dig may be tied to the Battle of Messines? Is the group you are heading out with the one known as 'The Diggers'? Please keep us posted shredward Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catch 81 Posted April 28, 2009 What a fantastic opportunity sp1t2 ! Maybe you'll get to Fromelles where they've found a mass grave of Aussie/Brit soldiers from WW1. see 'ere --> http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/27/2256326.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
