Ypres: The Immortal Salient: Part 2 (2011)
1h 15min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
As the First World War dragged on into 1916, the emphasis of fighting on the Western Front switched to the Somme where Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig launched a major offensive. Following the exhausting Battle of the Somme, Haig was now determined to launch a major offensive to take the high ground of the Messines Passendaele Ridge which was scheduled to begin with an attack on Messines Ridge on the morning of 7th June 1917. This film will cover the attack on Messines and the long slog to take Passendaele which was finally achieved in mid November at a cost of many thousands of lives in conditions which were the worst of the war. The Battle of Messines Ridge: 7th June 1917 The Third Battle of Ypres: Passchendaele 31st July 1917 Presenter Ed Skelding is joined once again by military historian and author Nigel Cave to take us through the complexities of the final stages of the fighting for the Ypres Salient. This film starts with the story of the successful attack on Messines and the taking of the ridge and the village. This includes interviews with Nigel at Factory Farm and Spanbroekmolen where two of the nineteen mines were detonated to herald the start the attack early on the morning of the 7th. Nigel will also explain how four of the mines were left undetonated when the line of attack was changed. One of those mines suddenly exploded as the result of a thunderstorm in 1956 while no one is quite sure where the other three are! We also visit Prowse Point and Lone Tree Cemeteries with Nigel where he explains the nature of the different types of cemetery battlefield, collection etc. This film will also feature an interview with Annelies Vermeulen, Chief Executive at Talbot House in Poperinge. She explains what a source of refuge and comfort the place was for soldiers looking for respite from the fighting. While in Poperinge, we also visit the jail and execution post behind the Town Hall where several British soldiers were executed or shot at dawn. We also explain the thinking behind this, with a possible interview with the late Earl Haig. In this film the team visit the Ploegsteert memorial to Churchill with Nigel and later visit the trenches once used by Adolf Hitler at Croenaert Wood. Ed then starts his presentation of the Battle for Passendaele and related how it was actually a succession of battles fought from 31st July to mid November. As part of this explanation, Ed is joined by Nigel at ANZAC memorials in Polygon Wood where he explains the bitter nature of the relentless fighting. This film is completed by an extended and powerful interview with Nigel held on top of the Cross of Sacrifice memorial at Tyne Cot, when Nigel explains the power behind The Immortal Salient. - Studio:
- Pen and Sword
- Genres:
- British TV, TV Documentaries