bovincourt

Updated: May 7, 2025

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 related the happenings of the last ten minutes. "Have you been to Bovincourt?" "Yes, but the poor devils are too ill for me. I haven't sufficient stuff with me to go round." Another officer ran up, "I say, Doctor, for Heaven's sake look in the church here. The place is packed and half of them are ill, God knows what with, and one or two are dead."

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 examined the ground, it was very soft, and the newly scattered earth and clay from the mine made it much worse. "If we get stuck," I thought, "there is nobody about to help us out." The captain tried and got over. I yelled out that I would follow; they disappeared in the direction of Bovincourt. Backing my car to get a good start I let it go over the edge of the road into the field.

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

And so on the road again. "We will get into Bovincourt," I said. "Let her go; I may meet the others." Night was falling, and ere I reached the village it was quite impossible to take any scenes. At the entrance to the village I ran into several people who crowded round the car, crying and laughing in their relief at seeing the British arrive.

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.

I missed him through getting stuck in the mud, and entered Bovincourt about six o'clock and left by myself later as a skirmish was taking place somewhere near by, and not being armed with anything more dangerous than a camera, I decided to quit. I am much obliged to the Bosche for taking this bus of mine for an armoured car."

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.

"It's one of those lucky chances where one has to take the risk of obtaining a thrilling scene." By the balls of white smoke I could see that shrapnel was bursting in the near distance. "That's near Pouilly," I said. "We are turning up on the left, let's hope the Huns don't plaster us there." Reaching the village of Bovincourt, the villagers were there eagerly awaiting our arrival.

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

The rearguard of the enemy had evidently taken shelter there during the previous night and had made a hasty exit owing to the close proximity of our boys. Evening was drawing on apace, so I decided to make my way back to the car. The "still" man was awaiting my return. At Bovincourt I met an Intelligence Officer and told him of my experiences.

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

We captured three Bosches and they have an extraordinary tale of seeing two armoured cars yesterday evening near Bovincourt, and they insist upon it although I am quite aware there were none at all near there. They say that about six o'clock they were on the outskirts of Bovincourt when two armoured cars came in sight.

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