Studies of German Defences near Lille

[MartH]

I've been studying back catalogues of Maggs and found this interesting book. It's described as Folio, 24 photographic illustrations on 6 pages, 35 large folding maps, plans and diagrams, produced by the Ordnance Survey, 28 pp text, Chatham 1920.

It covers 3 areas, Aubers Ridge, Pont-a-Vendin, and the Menin-Roulers Road:- Trench Mortar and machine gun position, anti-tank forts, Artillary Command Posts, Divisional Command Posts, and Light Signalling stations.

It sounds very interesting, I found 6 copies on OCLC, with different dates.

Does anyone have a copy?

Has someone seen it?

Is it any good?

What are the maps like?

How big is the folio?

Sounds like a good subject for a reprint or digitisation (in full colour please!).

Any thoughts?

Regards

Mart

[Charles Fair]

Hi Martin - sounds v interesting and worth a look. Do you know where those 6 copies are held? BL, IWM, Bodleian etc?

[mebu]

The Wilson Report is very interesting for anyone who wants to study the German defences....the defences in front of Lille were relatively undamaged: after the Armistice the RE School of Instruction, under Wilson, were given the task "to reconnoitre the German defence lines and put on record any items of interest".

There are some very good photos (although the photo printing is not very clear and much details can be difficult to make out). There are also some very good drawings of the defences, some of which, such as Somerset Farm and Fin De La Guerre Farm, both with a tall concrete OP, still exist. There is a very good map of the defence system of Aubers village.

Some of the report is quite detailed may be of interest only to some....eg calculations of how many cubic yards of cement and tons of steel, with estimates of labour numbers and lengths of construction time.

If anybody wants a specific photo or drawing I will copy.....but I cannot offer to copy any bulk pages.

Peter

[barkalotloudly]

turner donovan offered a copy a few years ago.

regards John