Debris of War - phototour

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Verdun - May 1987

Verdun area (near Fleury). Once again a lot of French stuff, mostly 8mm Lebel cartridges which are still in very good condition (purple lacquér around the bullet and primer still in place after 70 years in the ground), a French hand-grenade Model Citron Foug 1916 (cast iron body without fuze) and a dangerous looking French 75mm fuze for a gas filled grenade hence the long external detonator device.

Italian Dolomites - August 1989

Austrian 8x50R Mannlicher M90 rifle-cartridges dated 1914 (markings at the bottom of cartridges) still with their clips in place. Hard to imagine that these rifle clips have been lying exposed to all weather conditions on a mountain site for over 70 years.

Finding World War One battlefield relics in the Italian mountains won't be easy. Apparently a lot of scrap metal has been removed over the years by local shepherds who started collecting the metal bits and pieces once the war was ended earning this way some extra cash, specially during the recession years (1920/1930) when income was at its lowest. This in fact went on till the Second World War.

Somme area - May 1995

The heavy harvest farmers still turn up after a couple of years ploughing the fields. These are all unexploded shells and should NOT be handled although you will notice that judging by the dark brown colouring all copper drive-bands have been recently removed, probably by a local scrap-dealer. Stupid and extremely dangerous!

Somme area - May 1996

Local dump with another batch of unexploded shells still waiting to be collected by the French Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
In the foreground a small collection of British Stokes mortar bombs.

Don't be surprised to find similar dumps near small villages with kids playing in the vicinity. I presume they have been told how dangerous the shells are and should leave them alone at all times. Visitors should do the same. A picture will do.