[lit-ideas] Re: Available Today on ebay (found poem)
- From: David Ritchie <ritchierd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2007 11:42:59 -0700
On Mar 17, 2007, at 11:45 AM, Robert Paul wrote:
Quoting David Ritchie
Trench Art WW1 18Pdr shell with cutaway area for candle or statuette.
Fuse is removeable. Will ship with fuze separated from shell.
Wise.
One more ebay gem, describing a pitcher made from a shell casing. The phrasing that caught my attention comes at the end of the paragraph, "Just a killer piece to add to any WW1 collection" !
David Ritchie,
Portland, Oregon
What an amazing piece of history this one is. Height of pitcher is 7 7/8 inches tall. 7 1/4 from tip of pitcher to back of bullet handle. British 18pndr. Marked Lot 1475,6/16,Alco small arrow in oval,CF on base,Cap marked No. 1 over a roman numeral II and 7/16 and VSM over an A. 5 cap badges Gloucestershire, Bedfordshire, West Yorkshire, Manchester, One marked Quis Separabit check photos. Supporting artillery was massed until there was one gun per eight yards of front. The preliminary bombardment began three weeks in advance, pounding the German trenches, reserve positions, and communications, and literally smothering all located enemy batteries with high explosive and gas shells. As D-day approached, the intensity of the bombardment was so increased that it did not seem possible for a single human being to survive the inferno of steel. For the first time the new 106 fuze, which burst on impact, was used; and it proved to be a very effective casualty agent and wire cutter. To add to the discomfort of Rupprecht's troops, the British employed the new Livens projector (1st documented use in battle) to send large canisters of gas into the enemy trenches. A battery of 1,600 projectors could in a few seconds deliver forty tons of gas to targets up to 1,200 yards away. One concentration that was delivered without warning against an enemy strong point produced 460 casualties. There developed a fierce contest for aerial supremacy over the battlefield. Owing to their superior planes and better-trained pilots, the Germans at first had the advantage and inflicted severe losses on the Royal Flying Corps. The most publicized air unit on the Western Front at this time was Baron von Richtofen's famous "Circus." His aggressive pilots, flying fast, highly maneuverable, single-seater planes (painted a bright red) took a heavy toll of British aircraft. Adolph Hitler also was in this battle himself after being released a year and a half earlier returning to the western front as a courier. 140,000 lost lives in this one battle and and 100's medals and commendations for valor. If your into it or even if you are not take a little time to look up this battle. IT WAS THE BIG ONE to push the Germans back and gain control of the infamous impenetrable HINDENBURG LINE on their victorious and very costly push into Germany. RARE and very significant historical artifact. Signed on one side 1917 ARRAS and on the other LENS 1917. Just a killer piece to add to any WWI collection. Base shells I think are British and the handles are French.Thanks for looking and good luck. 9.99 and no reserve.
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