First World War - Lochnagar Crater

[@coinsmith]

What a wonderful thing the landowner did to preserve this crater as a memorial. Sobering. Thank you for sharing this!

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. A British man bought it a few years back to preserve it.

[@jean-pierredeclemy7032]

@@StevenUpton14-18 Presumably the EU were offering grants to farmers to return the land to farming?

[@StevenUpton14-18]

@@jean-pierredeclemy7032 - The EU did not exist in 1918. The land owners wanted to restore the land to agriculture to make a living and Europe needed to grow food.

[@jean-pierredeclemy7032]

@@StevenUpton14-18 I presumed the purchase was a recent one.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

@@jean-pierredeclemy7032 - I made that film four years ago. The drone was a few weeks old at that time. I now have a Magic Pro 4k.

[@danewilliam2907]

It's astounding to see how close the trenches were to each other and how little ground they were actually fighting over

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. In some places they were within throwing distance.

[@zagan1]

yeah. 2 lane road away from each other.

[@mikegreen1430]

They were fighting for the land behind the trenches...

[@VidarrKerr]

@@mikegreen1430 They were fighting for the Small Hats and their central banks. Still fighting over it to this day.

[@archstanton6102]

@@VidarrKerr Small hats? Why are you so afraid to say who you mean?

[@johnathandavis3693]

The Crater itself is so stark and sort of frightening in it's scale. But the little park around it looks like a serene and quiet place. Such a symbolic and beautiful memorial. Thank you for posting this.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Today it is a very peaceful place. The people that visit are generally quiet and respectful.

[@marco002]

and not just the crater itself is scary but the fact that it is a ww1 crater.. we had 100 years of development (in military equipmen)t, it is even scarier to think about what today's weapons can do (and I'm not even talking about atomic bombs)

[@Biden_is_demented]

@@marco002 What is really scary is that such memorials have achieved NOTHING, and humans continue making the same mistakes. Europe has its hands covered in blood, and we eueopeans are once again to blame for another deadly war, that would not happen had we kept our grubby hands off other nation´s affairs. In a few years, many new war memorials will sprout all over Ukraine, and in turn teach us NOTHING, just like these haven´t.

[@marco002]

@@Biden_is_demented what is Europe has to do with the war in Ukraine? The war broke out cause the US can't sit on it's ass (+ they wanted to weaken Russia and Europe)

[@Biden_is_demented]

@@marco002 You think the US was alone in that endeavor? This was a NATO thing from the start. Angela Merkel and Sarcozy have already came out saying the Minsk Accords were just a ploy to gain time and arm Ukraine to retake the Donbas. And the 2014 coup was sponsored not just by the US, but by the UK as well. And throughout the decade since the coup, the EU has remained silent about the crimes going on in the Donbas, and the role that the ultra-nationalists were playing. Simply put, you can´t extricate the EU from this debacle. Especially since the EU and NATO are basically the same people. The EU, that so often tout their desire for "peace" and "harmony", have done all they could to make this war spiral out of control, and as such deserve their share of the blame. They deceived the public, tried to shut out the truth, and instituted state sponsored censorship, to cover what they had done.

[@amatore6]

For the last week I have been immersed in Google Earth studying the locals and cemeteries of the Battle of the Somme. I found 175 cemeteries/memorials so far. But I struggled until now to understand just where the line was and how the troops were moving. This video showing the lines and the "danger tree" is just what I needed. Thank you so much.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@OpenRoader]

It is simply amazing that the entire area was able to be cleaned up, leveled out and returned back to farming. The removal of the shrapnel, exploded and un-exploded ordinance must have littered the area for miles and miles. The amount of lives lost is simply hard to comprehend and the way they were killed is akin to dying in a blender. Thanks for documenting this. Nice video

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. There are still huge quantities of unexploded shells in the ground. And a simple field walk will get you shrapnel every time.

[@mikecimerian6913]

There are still some areas that are off limits, Red Zones, in the Verdun area.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

At the end of the war the French designated the former battlefields a colour code. The red zones were too dangerous to recover and they planted forrest on them. This means that what remains of the trenches and defences are still in these areas.

[@Preyhawk81]

I wouldnt farm there. I think theres an lot of Mercury from the Detonators in the soil.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Also, there was a huge number of gas shells used by all sides. As many as 30% of shells were duds and went into the ground and did not explode. At one time in the war the quality of the fuses made in Britain were very poor. There are German reports of their areas littered with unexploded mortar bombs.

[@jaydeneveleigh7280]

My great grandfather died on the first of July on the first battle. RIP Newfoundland regiment soldiers

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. My GF was a couple miles away, fortunately his battalion was in reserve on 1st July.

[@SamuelTubbritt]

He might be commemorated at Brookwood military cemetery UK ❤️

[@brucesims3228]

Have a similar connection albeit on the Eastern Front. Wife of my paternal great-grandfather returned to Slovakia to settle some Real Estate proceedings.... in August, 1914. Bad timing doesn't quite say it.

[@Bob3D2000]

You're lucky he'd had you first.

[@vacciniumaugustifolium1420]

Even if I'm canadian, 1st of July will be forever a remembrence day before being a celebration. Never forget the 800 of the Newfoundland regiment

[@spinynorman8217]

RIP Harry Price killed in action 1/7/1916 Tyneside Scottish. Left a baby daughter who never knew her father. Hannah still broke down in tears over the father she never knew 80 years later and for the enduring disadvantage this left her mother in after his death, taking in washing to earn a living. All dead now.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching and sharing this sad story.

[@abhaymishra30]

Sam are you related to them?

[@dermotmurphy6733]

God bless them all.

[@allangibson8494]

@@jamesdevine1005 He spent 23 years in the Royal Navy - how long did you serve?

[@RoseSharon7777]

1/7 my birthday. I'll remember your comment forever. Thanks for posting. RIP Hero Harry Price.

[@dbaider9467]

"Look how open the land is..." There was no cover, and the fight was slightly uphill. This is what drones were made for - best use of them I've seen yet. Puts everything in perspective, you are almost "there", back then. Great job, thanks.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching, and your comments. More to come this year.

[@Dragon.7722]

Well, the fighting is only uphill for one side. :^)

[@AsG_4_]

Zeplin POV

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Not only no cover, but advancing in broad daylight!

[@bunnyboilerification]

Those poor souls,the courage it must have took to go over the top,with only the Brodie helmet and God for protection.

[@jackpinesavage1628]

My great uncle, Clifford Wilson, served in the Canadian expeditionary forces during WW1, was killed in action and is buried in Tyne Cot cemetery in Belgium. My family was given a Memorial Cross by the government. That Memorial Cross has been kept by my family for over a hundred years. Recently, I was able to navigate the process of donating our Memorial Cross to the Canadian war museum in Ottawa. Rest in peace, uncle Clifford.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Sorry for your family's loss. We will remember them.

[@willbilly02]

Thx for sharing your story about your great uncle. I had family too that fought in WW1.

[@boomspoon4004]

the next time i go to tyne cot ever i wil look for your great uncle and pay him a moment of respect

[@randyschneider6086]

My great uncle is also buried there,some 8000 graves,75% unknown.

[@boomspoon4004]

@@randyschneider6086 so many people lost forever

[@fjung7294]

Never again my Brothers ! Never again!!!! May all souls rest in peace , they should not forget! Greetings from Germany

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@carlmichael29]

Amen to that. Greetings from America. 🇩🇪🇺🇸

[@dennisdobin8640]

Europeans fighting Europeans,Christians fighting Christian,how did we ever let it come to this? Some bastards set out to destroy us and they have not stop?

[@StevenUpton14-18]

@@dennisdobin8640 Thank you for watching. It was not just Christians. Visit the cemeteries and you will see many Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh grave markers.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

@man up Thank for watching.

[@smoothvirus]

Wow, this is a really impressive use of a drone. You can really appreciate the scale of the battlefield from this altitude.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. I completely agree with you. Filming from the ground does not give the same perspective of the size of this crater.

[@Millbarge01]

My great-grandfather died at Ypres in 1917. He was a member of the London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), and was 38 when he died. He left eight children and a wife behind in England. I went over two years ago and read his name on the Menin Gate. I sincerely hope we never have to build another memorial that big to name the dead. Thanks for this video. It was greatly appreciated.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching and sorry for your families loss. My GF was also there in 1917 and fortunately survived.

[@paulbedichek5177]

Russians and Ukrainians dying in great numbers every single day.

[@jimtomlinsom1279]

May their memory be eternal, may their souls rest in peace.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

@@jimtomlinsom1279 It was a stupid post, so I have removed it. Unfortunately, it now looks like you are replying to my post!

[@jimtomlinsom1279]

@@StevenUpton14-18 yes I saw it. I'll remove my reply.

[@pnsexe725]

Good to hear that you made this footage as a tribute to your grandfather's memory...

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@Dingomush]

It is amazing how long the scars of war remain on the land, even that soil that is tilled yearly still has shadows of the past. You have quite a good method of capturing that.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@shadesmarerik4112]

theres some effort to remember the past. Without this effort, this land wouldve been leveld and farmed again already..

[@anitaleroy9442]

2000 year after and even more, you can see in the landscape remains of celtic oppida, here and there in Europe.

[@skyb2149]

Take a moment to appreciate that this man personally replied to 5,000+ Comments... That's extremely thoughtful of you and your video is wonderful my friend, You earned my subscription 👍

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. I read all comments, reply to most and delete some.

[@teec3385]

My Ancestor 10th lincoln ( Grimsby Chums ) lost his life here 1st July 1916 first day of the somme, he made it to the right side of Lochnagar then like many was cut down. looking at the distance from the British line to the crater he got quite far under that slaughter. Excellent video thank you.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. My GF was lucky in that on 1st July his battalion was in reserve; whilst the one that went over the top had over 200 casualties. Luck of the draw.

[@bonkees]

@Gary Miller there's still time.

[@jamesfraser4173]

I am happy to say that my maternal grandfather survived the hell that was the Battle of the Somme. Thank you for sharing this quite interesting video, and I look forward to seeing future productions.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@anthonyeaton5153]

An interesting fact. Almost 75% of the British and empire troops that fought in Battle of the Somme came out of the battle without a scratch. Source ‘Mud Blood and Poppycock’ by Major Corrigan.

[@armanzbahrani291]

There is a sadness that just permeates this whole field. It's palpable; you can feel it even in video. Must have been a moving experience filming it, knowing your grandfather fought (and thankfully survived) on these very grounds. Greetings from Shiraz, Iran.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. I have to say that I always feel peace particularly when I visit the military cemeteries.

[@kevinoneil56]

Nice bit of filming combined with a sensible narration. Thankyou.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@bidensanidiot8818]

When I lived in Germany in the early 90s, my dad was in the US Army, we took a school field trip to Verdun. Even at 13 it was surreal, to think how many people died there and how it’s still dangerous to walk in parts of France because of the massive amounts of unexplored ordnance. Beautiful and frightening at the same time, thank you for posting.

[@andrewdaley5480]

Farmers still finding huge amounts of ordnance. 🇬🇧 👍

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@Ferne345]

Large bombs are still found often in construction projects in German cities, mostly from WW2. Crazy to think they are still down there under peoples feet after all this time… I remember hearing about a new found bomb every few months in even a big city like Cologne.

[@eeo99]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_Rouge?wprov=sfti1 Some areas have been completely blocked by the French government and declared non-habitable from the sheer volume of debris unexploded ordinance buried deep underground

[@justgjt]

Lest We Forget

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@jackmack1061]

We will remember them.

[@cyberhawk80]

@JAG really ? have you looked at the crime stats in europe lately.. how about the knife crime in the UK.. ?

[@CristiNeagu]

We forgot. Or, at least, a lot of us did.

[@ryanertime]

We should start a big club in Europe to keep peace, a Union of sorts. Britian would obviously stay in as a way to honour those that died "lest we forget"

[@thomasmaloney843]

My grandfather survived the Meuse Argonne offensive in 1918. Things were bad there as well, but the front was getting a lot more fluid at that time. His experiences matched the book Company K.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Mine warfare took place when the lines were static for many months and in some areas for several years.

[@JustMike2791]

Thank you Mr. Upton, for not allowing history to be forgotten. I enjoyed your video immensely.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@sagewitch7762]

Thank you for such a wonderful film, my grandfather was there as well. He also survived the whole of the war with only minor damage to his lungs from gas. He was from Sheffield and joined up at just 14 years of age he staid in the army after the war ended and maid it his life for over a dozen years. As a NCO he became gentlemen and it set the tone for the rest his life. He died age sixty five but would never talk of the war.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. The generation that survived WW1 generally could not talk about. Anyone who was not there would not understand.

[@foamer443]

Extremely well done narration, with beautifully clear and understandable directions, coupled with superb photography.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@kentbyron7608]

Amazed when I see one person doing the work of an entire tv network team. And KZbin lets you be a tv channel. This kind of production on KZbin is a revolution. Some great work here! Bravo. Subscribed. Gratitude!

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. This is just a hobby, but it is amazing how you can share it with the world.

[@petermsamson]

I just love the drone action, fly up, pan and advance.. Just brilliant, thank you very much for sharing.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@sentient02970]

I'm trying to imagine the shockwave an explosion kicked off that created a crater this huge. It must have taken people off of their feet.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. My father who was in the Royal Artillery at Normandy in WW2 said you could actually see the shock wave of large shells or bombs when they detonated.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

@@StevenUpton14-18 There film of it on KZbin.

[@dominicyelin]

You should check out the shockwave on thermobaric explosions. On a misty day its quite the sight. Terrifying yet somehow beautiful.

[@samhunt9380]

My grandfather was wounded there and later married my grandmother who was his nurse when taken back to England to recover. They emigrated to New Zealand in 1919. Thank you for sharing. Lest We Forget.....

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. We will remember them.

[@mikewood866]

Hi Steve thanks very much for the amazing footage. I share a keen interest in the Somme battlefields and have visited the area many times. Seeing it from the air puts things in a different perspective. The trenches and shell craters are much more clearly defined than seeing it at ground level. It's great to see someone putting their drone to good use. thanks again Mike

[@StevenUpton14-18]

This was the only reason to get a drone. I had filmed a number of battlefields with a hand-held camera. But there is nothing like from the air at relatively low altitude.

[@mikewood866]

How about a visit to Messines next.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Its on my list of must film places, also Aubers ridge and Fromelles.. Last week I filmed Nortre Dame de Colette, known to the Germans as 'Colette Spur.' It is very near to Vimy ridge. Just need to take the raw footage and add commentary, hopefully this coming week.

[@willbilly02]

Very informative enjoyed the vid. I loved hearing about your grandfather. After studying the battle of the Somme and hearing he survived it, all I could say was wow.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@lefroy1]

Thank you for making this superb film Steven. Sobering and awe inspiring in equal measure.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@johnrossetti5208]

Thank you for making this video. A very new perspective on an old battlefield. Your Grandfather would be proud.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching and your comments.

[@johnjohnson9918]

I found your video to be very informative and a wonderful tribute to those brave men. I’m a native Californian Indian and love your country. I’ve visited England a few times and will travel there again after the pandemic, I Will for sure go see this historically important place. Great video...thanks

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@karstenlund8956]

I stayed here in 2017 for the first time and I was blown away by the size of the crater and I have now been back to La Boiselle seven times since then. Thank you for all your lovely work

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@Reblwitoutacause]

“Blown away” was an unfortunate choice of words.

[@brutusvonmanhammer]

Awesome video. I love this kind of thing as I live in the U.S. and dont have the capability or means to go see the WW1 battlefields. I am a lover of First World War history and I've always been fascinated by seeing the actual fields and locations where these battles were fought. Great job, mate!

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. I am fortunate in that I can visit anywhere on the western front several times a year. There will be more to come.

[@stevewakefield1493]

Very well done. I’ve been there, it was a warm sunny day and so peaceful. A fine commentary my friend and endless respects and gratitude to our fallen and now at rest soldiers. 🙏

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@josephbm]

I was here in 2018 doing a ww1 tour. Very very emotional reading first hand account from soldiers in the area at the time.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@hatcherknives2579]

Thank you for sharing this footage. Beautifully shot and well narrated.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@mattd6495]

This is fantastic. For someone who wants to learn about the ww1. How you've described it and how you've laid out the camera angle so there's clear for people to see the front lines of the opposing armies is absolutely brilliant. I think how you've also drawn the lines on the video make it more engaging and clear indicator of the English and German front lines. Thank you. Hope to see more videos maybe?

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Have a look at my other WW1 films.

[@AngloSaxon449]

At going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. We will remember them.

[@dubskj01]

Thanks Steven, for your efforts and great detail you've incorporated into this project. It really brings home the scale and magnitude of it all, and what all of these brave men faced. Lest we forget.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. We shall remember them.

[@nephilimcrt]

I opened this location on Google Maps just now and I was amazed to see that you can find these 'trench shadows' everywhere in the surrounding area! Some are really clear. Absolutely amazing. Thanks for making this.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@bakersmileyface]

When I were a kid at school, we went down there on a school trip. Me and my friend ended up finding an ammunition box with grenades in. The police ended coming down with a bomb squad to recover it. Turns out the grenades were still live. So that was a cool moment. A few people managed to get some ammunition casings too, apparently all from an enfield rifle.

[@FRDOMFGTHR]

I probably would’ve pulled the pin and threw it assuming it would be dead 😂

[@suprlite]

Russel: i dont think you quite comprehend the massive amount of ordonance that was left behind. Farmers are STILL plowing up shells every single year.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@dylanthedyslexicvillain4294]

That’s absolutely incredible I never knew that existed fascinating

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@vpmvda]

Thanks for making and uploading this content! I deeply respect the fact that we still remember the man that fought for our freedom.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@Nounismisation]

I happen to have a drink in my hand: he is to your Grandad Steven. Here's to you Grandpa - thanks.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching and your toast.

[@StormLaker]

it's amazing...crater aside that from the air you can still see the damage left by the great war on the landscape. France/Belgium/ Germany are littered with munitions form two world wars, it's insane.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@ljimlewis]

This is the first time I’ve seen the effectiveness of camera drone use explaining events . Thank you.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@asdsdjfasdjxajiosdqw8791]

The French countryside looks so beautiful on a summer evening. Can't wait to travel Europe again!

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@tonymerritt7141]

Hard to imagine these beautiful lush fields being the hell on earth no man’s land they once were. Very sobering to think of the lives lost on this ground. Thank you for this video and the remembrance of your Grandfather and all those men on both sides.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@BigOlSmokey]

@@StevenUpton14-18 still replying after 4 years good man! Thanks for this video.

[@IntrepidMilo]

I went there in January 2018 after watching your video and I could not believe the size of the crater. Thank you for sharing this.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@jiggermast]

Thanks for this Steven, a whole new perspective that's absolutely fascinating. "A Terrible Beauty" indeed & all so very very sad.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@MATTA74]

Let’s hope that all of humanity has learned from this and the failings of all the governments for not taking action to prevent WW2.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@matthew4107]

they did take action, they took all action aside from just going to war offensively to try and stop it.

[@cyberp0et]

The proof that they haven't learned is World Word II.

[@Bob3D2000]

@@cyberp0et True enough. But I would hope that the EU is proof that the double-whammy finally did teach us something. Not that 52% of the voting age population of the UK cares about that.

[@williamweigt7632]

A great reason to me merciful, rather than bitter, in victory.

[@NickPoeschek]

I’ve read dozens of books about WW1 but have been able to visit Europe to see any of these battlefields. Thank you for this video, it really helps bring a sense of scale that you can’t get through just books and photographs.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@allymash1964]

Amazing insight. Thank you. My Gt. Grandfather and Gt. Uncle fell during these battles.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. My family was lucky in that my GF survived.

[@bruceradfordsorrywronghous534]

My grandfather Virgil Evans was butstroked by a German and had terrible headaches his whole life but was still a awesome man!!!

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@aaronbugaiski2487]

And they shall not grow old.....brings tears to my eyes to think of all those life’s lost and really for nothing. But that does not take take away from the great suffering endured. These men and others like them will always be my hero’s. Great video

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Not for nothing, their sacrifice stopped an aggressor nation's invasion of their neighbours. What price do we pay for freedom?

[@ShmokeyBandit]

I cant imagine actually living in one of those houses in the neighborhood .. mind blowing

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@noahemail0339]

Jacob M I was thinking the same thing

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. In some places there are still tons of explosives directly under housing. Just too dangerous to remove them.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

I actually find these places quite peaceful with no sense of what happened here 100 years ago.

[@Bill-xx2yh]

Steven Upton "...the land has no memory.." Fortunately.

[@tykellerman6384]

God awful what my great uncle and his buddies endured

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Its impossible to comprehend what they went through.

[@ADZ01982]

My great uncle also fought in the Great War. He joined the fight in 1915 and fought in some of the biggest battles of the war. He was captured at the start of 1918 and died of the Spanish Flu in a German POW camp. Its crazy to think he survived nearly three years of front line combat. I can only imagine the things he seen and had to endure.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. More died in the 1918 flu epidemic than in the entire war.

[@bigeyetuna6228]

Same here, lost 3 uncles and my grandfather was muster gassed, it effected him for the remainder of his life as well as the mental scars inflicted on him, thanks too all💯🙏💚

[@bibtebo]

Ty Kellerman i'm thinking of him now, who he was. I thank him for what he went through even if he never should have.

[@bskelton8712]

My uncle died on Oct. 8 1916 at the Somme. He was with the Canadian 58th battalion. In April of 2018 I went to Vimy Ridge Memorial to see his name there. Fred Skelton.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Sorry for your family's loss. We will remember them.

[@RUBBER_BULLET]

There's a nasty splinter on that ladder, sir. A bloke could hurt himself on that.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@Porkcylinder]

I believe you’re supposed to provide ear defenders,I demand to speak to HR

[@Yewbzee]

I can not even imagine the horrors of being in that situation. God rest their souls.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@paulweston6049]

I was watching a Documentary on WW1 And stumbled on this video....Amazing job Steve well done...Such an horrific war and such sad devastating stories too...But sadly not grim enough to stop WW2 .

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@garybanglebangle7949]

100 YEARS LATER I'M STILL IN THE HISTORY CLASS OF THE GREAT WAR IN 2018.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@jamiemorgan4146]

.. May it be taught to all and Never forget these Brave Men ....

[@collectorguy4379]

You can not imagine how much effort it took to dig that tunnel and carry all the explosives down there! Mental war

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@roberthaworth9097]

Picked companies of Cornish tin miners did the job. At a couple of points as they came very near the German lines, German counter-mining parties actually broke into branches running off the main British shaft, and threatened to at still others -- their voices could sometimes be heard beyond just 12" or so of mud wall. The work became concentrated into certain hours of the day and night, and special artillery barrages were ordered to hide the sound of the British picks and shovels from those above. A large, purpose-built mining drill had been tried earlier, but it bogged down hopelessly after only a few days. Some explosives were pushed forward, the order being that if it looked like the tunnel were discovered and Germans entered in force, the miners were to retreat down the shaft and leave a fuse burning to the charge, which would explode among the enemy. It was a near-run thing.

[@__WJK__]

@@roberthaworth9097 - Seems they should have considered letting the Germans discover the tunnel/tunnels right before detonation... Germans would have likely ordered a bunch of men to explore the tunnels which would have helped reduced the number of Germans above ground(?)

[@johnnyfire3860]

Robert Haworth There were men from many mining outfitts and nationalities that dug them

[@davehill4295]

I've been to the Somme and 1WW sites many times this video really helps to see where the opposing armies were which is difficult to see at eye level and get a proper perspective, thanks for the upload good job and a fellow biker too.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Yes, British Legion Riders Branch.

[@davehill4295]

@@StevenUpton14-18 I was in the RBLR for about ten years but no longer. Visited the Western Front a few times by bike, but for these visits I prefer going by car as more practical for doing walks etc. What area do you live in, I was in West Midlands but recently moved to Devon. Will have a couple of beers tonight and watch your other videos, they look really good mate.

[@bigeyetuna6228]

Great, excellent, absolutely great stuff!!! Subbed, what are you flying? I really like how well you explain why flying over the actual places, thank you sir💚🍀

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. For this film I used a DJI Phantom 3 Advanced 2.4k camera. I now have a Mavic Pro with a 4K camera.

[@bigeyetuna6228]

Steven Upton thanks, I’m a bit of a dronie and history buff so I really enjoy the content, that’s one hell of a hole in the ground out there, brutal stuff💯🍀

[@phildale8451]

I went to see the crater a few years back, breathtaking.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@andrewclark891]

One of my ancestor's died on the Somme. Both of my parents lost many loved ones during ww1, the loss and emotion has been passed down through both my parents and grandparents etc. The deceased are still talked about and not forgotten.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@robbleeker4777]

Even the "small"crater, you can fit a house in there

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Remember that what you see today is after 100 years of erosion.

[@rob4b]

Brilliant , historical and moving narrative.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. More to come this year.

[@rob4b]

Steven Upton my great grandfather fought at Poziere and Thiepval was in support trenches when the first wave went over he probably saw that explosion All he wrote in his dairy on that day was "Hell of a noise today" he died in 1973 remember him trying to pick me up as a 4 Year Old but couldn't because of his shrapnel injury from the great war, he always coughed , never smoked. My nan said it was because he was gassed. To know he was around there is very moving.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

My own GF was not far away. Do you know what unit he as in? Thank you for watching.

[@rob4b]

My GGF was born in Walthamstow and lived and worked in Stratford London checked with mom she said that his card said Essex but i though he was in the London so not sure. By the end of the war he was in the Jerusalem so don't know now he got there.

[@farklek]

Thank you so much for sharing this with everyone. I hope that I will be able to find this video and rewatch it even years from now so that my children can see this snapshot from history.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@anonf7770]

Did the roads pre-date the war or were they built along the trench line after ?

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Most pre-dated the war and were reinstated afterwards. They did an excellent job of reconstruction when you consider the level of destruction.

[@johnsweeney6072]

Respect to all dead that were just men /boys fighting for their governments politics

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@Lmachomasguapo]

Incredible. Well done sir. I’ve been looking for a video like this my entire adult life - trying to understand the battlefield there. Amazing. Thank you!…this video will live forever.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching and your comments. I am returning to this location tomorrow.

[@Lmachomasguapo]

@@StevenUpton14-18 i look forward to the next video…would love to see that crater a bit closer - I’ve read various historical/documented accounts that it was (during the war) a cesspool of filth and death, and that soldiers would get trapped in it and die..later to be found decomposing and being eaten by rats. Would be great to have your narrated feedback on the matter. -L

[@1notgilty]

Those poor soldiers. It's hard to believe we were still using those old Napoleonic battle tactics with armies of soldiers advancing against fortified positions with machine guns and artillery in broad daylight over open terrain. It was nothing short of mass murder with thousands of soldiers being slaughtered in a single battle. Absolutely insane and criminal to sacrifice good men like that.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@thedwightguy]

Read Orwells' essay "The Road to Weigan Pier" as an homage to the unbelievable loss of an entire generation of the best and brightest. Britain and other countries were affected for generations.

[@RebelShutze]

the tactics came from weapons tech outrunning communciations tech. its kinda hard to conduct a war if you need to lay a wire or carry a bright flag everywhere you go.

[@1notgilty]

​@@thedwightguy I will look for it. Thank you for the recommendation.

[@slome815]

Oh this again... They were not using napoleonic battle tactics for some decades at that time. Skirmish lines are not the same as massed infantry. And by the time of the somme rolling barrages and night attacks were starting to be used as well. While the massed artillery bombardment turned out not to be as effective in the british sector as hoped, with devestating results, the french attack on the first day on the somme was very much a succes, and all their objectives were in fact taken. It's not like the high command had much of a choice, they tried outflanking in 1914, leading to the race to the sea. Apart from the Vosges, all of the western front was open terrain with mostly fields, at verdun there was the occasional forest, but that certainly didn't help the germans when they attacked there. Not that mountain terrain would be better, if anything, that's even worse then open terrain for an attack (defending mountain passes is usually effective), and the war in the alps on the italian front was even more indecisive then on the western front By the time of the Somme the fortified positions you speak of stretched from Switzerland to the sea. So please tell me where and how they should have attacked. Perhaps they should open another front? Maybe this time that would work better then at Gallipoli or in greece. Not to mention the napoleonic battles are basically the exact opposite of the western front, since flanking manoeuvres and outmanoeuvring the enemy was very often the deciding factor back then, as seen at Ulm, marengo or Austerlitz . This was impossible in WW1, since there was no place to outflank.

[@millsbomb007]

20,000 died on the first day for 3 miles of advancement!

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. In most places on the first day there was little or no advance.

[@TrustMeiamaD.R.]

Additional 40000 men died from their wounds up to 3 months later according to historian Ajp Taylor.

[@jonyoung6405]

I’m an American that heard of this massive explosion. Never thought the crater would still exist. Thanks for sharing.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@terrytucker4811]

imagine falling into that massive crater after a rainstorm and drowning in mud, yikes

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@anthonyeaton5153]

Not on the Somme but maybe at Third Ypres..

[@tykellerman6384]

Fine job thanks

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@brusselssprouts560]

Sobering as always Steven, and a great memorial to all that suffered whatever side they were on. Thank you.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@billparker244]

Thank you for making this. History should be remembered and not forgotten or altered by politics.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@chriswhitesell8079]

It's amazing to think how many millions of people died in these wars all because a few sick individuals in power want to own the world.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@ittoitto4410]

Chris Whitesell that’s not how the Great War started

[@chriswhitesell8079]

@@ittoitto4410 Money, Borders, Oil, Religion, or Egos

[@ittoitto4410]

Chris Whitesell the assination of frans Ferdinand

[@normanmcneal3605]

Maybe “ sick” people become powerful because we refuse to stop it? Good sheep that decry their own complacency. If you love where you are, fight for it! Central gvt has never been your protector. Accept the blame for wanting it

[@davidthomas5673]

My stepfather fought there....i have his medal

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@neilbaker7679]

Respectfully done, Sir. Thank you for posting this and remembering the fallen.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@bryanmcleod9346]

I read about the French troops bahhing like sheep, as they marched to the front line. A human blender indeed. Salute to all Veterans!!

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. What you are referring to was the French mutinies in 1917.

[@bryanmcleod9346]

@@StevenUpton14-18 I always prefered history books since, since back in the 60's/70's, when the Book Mobile used to come around. But the book that most moved me about the Great Slaughter(my title) is "Losing Julia". I cant remember the Authors name, but it was his 1st novel(fiction), and he did a Tremendous amount of Research on WW1, and had many Contributors. Still my Favorite novel!

[@franckr6159]

Sorry, what do you mean about "bahhing"?

[@bryanmcleod9346]

@@franckr6159 A Sheep goes "Bahhhh." They were marching straight to their slaighter.

[@franckr6159]

@@bryanmcleod9346 WWI was butchery for everyone, French, Germans, Brits....

[@MrRedeyedJedi]

Was this whole war an attempt at depopulating i wonder? I mean the nature of blowing a whistle and watching thousands of men run into heavy machinegun and shell fire wave after wave to little or no avail seems a little odd tactically

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. You have to remember the era this happened in. Battlefield communications were practically none existent. They used runners to get messages from the front line back to HQ's. This took hours and many were killed on the way. Also, a large percentage of the British soldiers that went over the top on the 1st July 1916 were not professional soldiers with years of experience. They were the 'New Armies.' An army of volunteers raised for the war. They were inexperienced and had only a few months training. It was believed that they could not manage a night attack. Then add to that the belief that the week long barrage of the German defences would completely destroy them and that all the infantry would have to do was walk over and occupy the ground, and you have a disaster in the making.

[@ADZ01982]

Well trench warfare was still getting used in the WW2. Mainly after the Anzio landings in Italy where the terrain was too harsh for tanks. The Iraq/Iran war in the 80s quickly came bogged down in trench warfare.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@NapoleonBonaparde]

At the start of WW1 different tactics were used banners were still a thing and cavalry,but the huge amounts of manpower, lack of communications, machine guns and artillery barrages changed that, they really couldn't do anything else until tanks were introduced, though on the eastern front it wasn't like that it was more maneuverable.

[@MrRedeyedJedi]

NapoleonBonaparte yes i understand and can appreciate it was a different time. I too am fascinated by the conflict but none the less there were instances where it was obvious there would be thousands of casualties and no gain yet the officers carried on sending the men over the top regardless

[@andymiller8137]

My Great Uncle served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and survived the Opening day of the Battle of the Somme and would have been in the front line featured in this clip , he was killed on the 10th November 2016 towards the end of the Somme battle and his body was never found and he is one of the many names on the Thiepval Memorial -Many thanks for posting this video

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching and sorry for your family's loss. We will remember them.

[@elli003]

Are there any tunnels partially intact ?

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. I do not know what state tunnels are in. The Germans dug hundreds of deep shelters in this area and the British several mines. The whole area is honeycombed with underground works that were just abandoned after the front lines moved on.

[@MrROTD]

I saw a documentry on youtube called battlefield detectives, they unearthered parts of tunnels and bunkers

[@StevenUpton14-18]

I have also seen some of their films. A very good series.

[@gavingriffiths4985]

There's loads, but they're mostly too dangerous to touch.

[@garethwigglesworth8187]

We Europeans do like our wars. NOT so much since the atom bomb. American's spoiled the fun

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@jamessirman6622]

I have the utmost respect for your Grandfather and all the soldiers of this terrible war. My Uncle served in the U.S. Army during this war. He told me of the terrible damage done and what he said was the endless wounded. Britain, France and Germany lost a generation of young men then did it all over again 20 years later. Insanity.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@TheGoodUn5]

I don't often comment on videos, but this is an excellent one. Superb filming and presentation, really we'll done

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Have a look at my channel for more WW1 videos.

[@prosperity4444]

Fun fact there are still several lost unexploded tons of explosives waiting underground to go off one day. The British dug many of these tunnels and packed them with explosives but not all of them were detonated. So there are a few that they know the location of but feel its better to leave it buried. One of these stockpiles detonated about 40 years ago and luckily no one was killed.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Not just the British. All sides engaged in mining. It is what you do when you are in static warfare.

[@BTC_DNA]

Wow, Steve! This format was brilliant! Thank you for taking the time and effort to put it together. The video footage put your commentary in proper context. I hope we get to see more of your work. Thank you!

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@TheAir2142]

It is absolutely astounding how a conflict could be so brutally fought for such a long time in such a small portion of land that the scars left behind are still clearly seen generations later.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@WillyBob.Becker]

I visited this place when I was younger, when you stand in from you’re just shocked by the size and realize how much force went into this, you realize how brutal war is

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@mpsymonds1]

Outstanding research and knowledge sharing. I never could imagine in my head the distance between the trenches and how far soldiers had to cross. Seen it on film and documentaries and was told of it in yards / meters but seeing it from the air is tremendously interesting. It would be interesting to see overlays of the trenches and direction arrows of the advance. But this is great piece of work as it is. What great content for educators to use, if only they would teach our youngsters the sacrifices our oldies made for us all. Thank you.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. A few hundred yards to the left of this site is 'Mash Valley' where the distance between the lines was even further.

[@randolphbooth]

Came here from the UK on a school history trip in 1998. Amazing experience. Looked a lot different then though, far less vegetation around the crater and a lot more chalk still in the surrounding fields.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.