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Signpost Lane, from British lines to German lines, WW1
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Signpost Lane, from British lines to German lines, WW1
Signpost Lane, which ran from the British lines, through the German lines into the village of Neuve Chapelle. This sketch was made from a ditch in No-Man s-Land during a reconnaissance for the approaching British attack, 7.3.15 (the German trenches are on the left of the line of trees). By Lieutenant Major John Empson Tindall, MC (b.1885). He joined the Royal Engineers as a Lieutenant and rose to the rank of Captain in the 1st Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers (later the 490th Field Company, Royal Engineers), 8th Division, BEF and then became Major commanding the 505th (Wessex) Field Company, 57th Division, BEF. Date: 1915
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Media ID 23034636
© David Cohen Fine Art/Mary Evans Picture Library
490th 505th 57th Attack Chapelle Commanding Counties Ditch Division Empson Engineers Joined Lane Lieutenant Lines Major Mans Neuve Rank Reconnaissance Signpost Tindall Trenches Wessex
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Signpost Lane: A Visual Testament to the Tenuous Line between War and Peace in Neuve Chapelle, 1915 This evocative sketch, titled "Signpost Lane," was created by Lieutenant Major John Empson Tindall during a reconnaissance mission in the winter of 1915, as the British forces prepared for an attack on the German lines in the village of Neuve Chapelle. The image captures the precarious nature of the Western Front during World War I, with the British lines depicted on the right and the German lines on the left, separated by a narrow lane and a line of trees. Tindall, who joined the Royal Engineers as a Lieutenant and rose to the rank of Major, was a key player in the 8th and 57th Divisions of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). At the time of this sketch, he commanded the 505th (Wessex) Field Company. The rural landscape, with its winding country road and quaint signpost, is a stark contrast to the ominous presence of the trenches and the impending conflict. The scene depicted in this sketch is a poignant reminder of the fragile peace that existed between the opposing forces, with the signpost serving as a symbol of the connection between the two sides. The lane, which ran from the British lines through the German lines and into the village of Neuve Chapelle, represented a potential avenue for communication and negotiation, but also a dangerous passage for spies and soldiers. This historical artwork, created during a pivotal moment in the war, offers a unique perspective on the human experience of the Western Front, capturing the tension, uncertainty, and the delicate balance of power that existed between the British and German forces. The sketch is a testament to the courage and resilience of those who served during this period, and a reminder of the enduring impact of World War I on the history of France and the world.
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