Aftermath: British Tank at Langemarck
During the Third Battle of Ypres tanks from the recently formed Tank Corps operated in Flanders, but usually with limited success. The nature of the ground meant that many bogged down and were either damaged or destroyed by artillery fire. Many infantry soldiers referred to them as ‘shell magnets’ on the open battlefields leading up to Passchendaele.
These tank wrecks were still very visible in the 1920s and many became tourist attractions, most notably close to the Menin Road at the so-called ‘Tank Cemetery’.
This particular Mark IV tank was lost ‘near Langemarck‘ according to the caption and appears to be a partner of another Langemarck Tank previously featured on the website. There are no distinguishing marks on this vehicle so it is impossible to speculate when and how it was lost. However, research indicates it may be a tank from B Battalion Tank Corps, who were action here in August 1917.
Great War Photos 
Many years ago when first hiking the trench line. I was seeking the “Tank Cemetery,” advertized in many publications.
I found an Amusement park, instead! Time moves on!
Paul
western front Explorers AEF.
19/04/2013 at 17:22
I have a watercolour of the Sambre canal between Oisly and Etreux given to my grandfather William Pollock-Hill who was a C of E chaplain to the troops.
It is dated 12.11.18 and shows the stillness of the canal, site of two crucial battles.
The first on the 27th August 1914 where the 2nd Battalion of Munster Fusiliers 240 men heroically delayed the German advance of 1,500 troops across the canal for several hours, allowing the Allies a safe retreat and respite to re-group, and three VCs were awarded.
Then as you know on the 8thNovember at the same crossing, the taking of the lock by the Sussex, Manchester and Lancashires, won 6 VC’s and the MC for Wilfred Owen.
Is there any other place were so many VC’s were awared in the Great War?
It was painted by 2nd Lieutenant Valentine Rudolphe Burhardt who later won the DSO and OBE and as Lt Colonel became military attache’e in Peking and wrote an illustarted book on “Chinese Creeds and Customs” and a cartoon book for his nieces “”Memorirs of a Military Mule”
I can email you the painting if it is of interest.
regards,
Stephen Pollock-Hill
( Just seen Timewatch, again -The last day of the War, so found your site!)
26/09/2013 at 00:18