Walking the Somme: Trenches at the Newfoundland Memorial Park

[@karsten-f5q]

I´ve been to the Somme seven times and it never gets dull. Always something to learn and explore

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

I agree Karsten. An extraordinary place.

[@mariarice4916]

100 years on and this remains so powerful and emotional. Your presentation Sir is equally compelling. Thank you sooooo very much for your dedication and respect shown to all nationalities.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you Maria. That means a lot.

[@Shadooe]

A fantastic presentation. We are truly proud of RNFLD here in Newfoundland. You treat the carnage with wonderful respect. One thing I will correct you on, Beaumont-Hamel didn't mark the end of the Regiment in WW1, not by a long shot. They were back in the line at Gueudecourt in Oct. And though nearly wiped out again at Monchy-le-Preux, nine of Ours heroically held the town against an entire German division for nearly half a day. Beaumont-Hamel was the only time during the war the Regiment failed to meet it's objective. They were granted the Royal prefix, the only Regiment to receive that during WW1 and only the third time in the history of the British Army that it has been given during a time of war. That said, again a fantastic video. All the best and thank you.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I’m not sure why I said that about the Regiment in 1916! I’m well aware of it’s proud history for the rest of the war. Respect to the RNFLD.

[@edwardlaird100]

Fantastic work. Thanks for putting in this effort

[@chriscoleman6411]

This guys knowledge is 2nd to none..he could quite easily do this professionally..excellent

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@chriscoleman6411]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory your welcome👍

[@josepintado3910]

I was wondering the same thing about the commanders ordering the soldiers out of the trenches. Matt explained it clearly. The Germans had positioned themselves there to stay. If you want us out. Come get us out.

[@uppastdawn7627]

I was there in 2018- I wish you were my tour guide! I should have spent more time there.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@josepintado3910]

I'm visiting Somme, this July, 2020. Matt, can you be our guide

[@Killzy_games]

My great great grandad was on the front lines on the very first day of it 1st July 1916

[@Gitarzan66]

Good morning Matt. You're up bright and early mate (ha ha) This is another battlefield that really grabs the imagination. Such brave men. Its also another that makes me wonder what the hell the officers were thinking when they ordered the men out of the trenches.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Couldn’t agree more. Thanks for the comment.

[@Nx0-o1i]

I don't think it is accurate to say this was the end of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. The regiment served with distinction from Gallipoli, The Somme (during and after Beaumont Hamel), Gueudecourt, Arras, Ypres, Cambrai, Monchy Le Preux, Langemarck, Poelcappelle, Bailleul, and the hundred days offensive. The only battle they ever lost was at Beaumont Hamel and yet it's their defining moment on the world stage. Newfoundland never once had to institute a draft and their success in all of those battles from 1914-1918 (as they joined the war the moment England did) resulted in them being awarded the title of Royal, the only Regiment too earn such an honor in the entire Empire during the war and only the 3rd time in history it had been awarded during a time of war. So no the Royal Newfoundland Regiment didn't end at Beaumont Hamel it began at Beaumont Hamel, there's a reason other soldiers bowed their heads as these men marched by because they are better then the best. I should know my great grandfather was at Gallipoli, Egypt, and Beaumont Hamel. They weren't the poor old "newfies", they were the Fighting Newfoundlanders (no sympathy required). Also when they made their advance from the 3rd trench back from the front line at 9:15 am that morning they were the only regiment on the entire front at that time advancing for every machine gun too see.

[@Nx0-o1i]

Also they did reach the German barb wire the danger tree is just where many of them fell.

[@Shadooe]

Better Than the Best.

[@boolean711]

ya i read that they had another 1500 newfies come afterwards, not sure how long afterwards or where I read that too but yea :P we definitely werent out

[@boolean711]

well 12000 total, but I think the 1500 was just a few days after... my great grandfather was a prisoner of war in germany from newfoundland during ww1

[@stephengiles2873]

Lion's and donkeys spring to mind. Amazing amount of information well presented

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@larryrobinson6914]

I was by myself but never felt alone

[@darkstarr2321]

I was there in 1997

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Several years before my first visit!

[@darkstarr2321]

It was a year 10 school history trip :) love your videos mate@@MatMcLachlanHistory

[@derfunkhaus]

It seems so asinine of the officers to order their troops to attempt to cross no-man's land in the open like that. I wonder what they were thinking. Did they imagine that, yes, there would be losses to enemy machine gun fire but they'd still take their objective with a fairly good proportion of survivors? Or was their thinking so mired in 19th Century tactics that they had no real conception of what was going to happen when the men were sent out like that without any cover?

[@ospreycove]

I appreciate you doing this video. (please pronounce Newfoundland correctly....it rhymes with understand....newfinLAND). Also some (not all) considering Newfie to be durogatory. The history of the word, indicates it was created as an insult.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you. Yes, I’ve heard this comment many times since the video came out. As an Australian (‘Aussie’) I naively assumed it was an endearing abbreviation.

[@ospreycove]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory It's ok. Most of us don't care that much. Keep up the great content!

[@anthonyrobinson387]

25 years later Governments did it all over again