vraignes

To pick up further information I stopped a cyclist officer coming from the direction of Mons. "Any news?" I enquired. "Where is Bosche?" "We were in touch with his rearguards all last night," he said. "They have made several strong points round the villages of Vraignes, Haucourt, and Bierne. They were scouting around Vraignes, but we quickly put the wind up them," he said, with a smile.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

He was riding hard; his horse stumbled, but by a great effort the rider recovered himself. He dashed past me and, clattering over the fallen masonry, disappeared from sight. I looked around. Not a sign of life anywhere, so I decided to make for Vraignes about a kilometre distant south-east of Bovincourt.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

Taking advantage of every bit of cover possible, as German snipers were none too careful as to where they put their bullets, we eventually reached the outskirts of Vraignes. Not a sign of Germans, but crowds of civilians. Things here were the same as at Bovincourt, but a few more houses were left standing owing to the fire not completely doing its work. The people were in the same state.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

Daylight was breaking, the car arrived and, with all kit aboard, I started out again for the Somme, wondering what the day would bring forth. I stopped on the way to pick up the "still" photographer. "Where for to-day?" he asked. "Bovincourt and Vraignes," I replied, "and, if possible, one or two of the villages near by. I must get into them before our troops, so as to be able to film their entry.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

These few villagers had wandered back during the day to gaze upon the wreckage of their homes and arrived just in time to meet us at the crater. "We will get along," said my companion. "I want to visit Bovincourt and Vraignes before nightfall, though I am afraid we shall not do it. By making a detour round these ruins I believe we shall strike the main road further down."

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

I left Vraignes and advanced at a cautious pace in the direction of Haucourt. Rifle-fire was proceeding in the distance, which I judged was the other side of the village. A destroyed sugar refinery on the left was still smoking. It had been blown up by the Huns and the mass of machinery was flung and twisted about in all directions.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

"Several villages were seen burning during the night and the enemy put a little shrapnel around some patrols near Pouilly, but no damage was done." "Vraignes, of course, is quite clear?" "Yes, as far as we know. Our patrols reported it clear late last evening, but possibly Bosche returned during the night.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.

Possibilities Food for Famished Villagers Meeting the Mayoress of Bovincourt Who Presides at a Wonderful Impromptu Ceremony A Scrap Outside Vraignes A Church Full of Refugees A True Pal A Meal with the Mayor of Bierne. To keep hard upon the heels of the retreating Germans and so obtain scenes, the character of which had never been presented before to the British public, was my chief aim.

Geoffrey H. Malins - How I Filmed the War: A Record of the Extraordinary Experiences of the Man Who: Filmed the Great Somme Battles, etc.