War Diaries Talk

What's a Boyau?

  • Stork by Stork

    You cleared me up on Puits 14 Bis last week, so now what's a Boyau? Should they be tagged?

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  • marie.eklidvirginmedia.com by marie.eklidvirginmedia.com

    Boyau were communication trenches, used by soldiers to go from the rear lines to the front. Its zigzag shape was a way to protect soldiers in case of shelling or machine-gunning.

    Article link and photo: https://ww1photographs.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/1557/

    Disposition of Companies are in the trenches in the line. I would have tagged just 'in the line' against each Company.

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  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    That's a nice web page Marie found, with a very good photo.

    And, no, they shouldn't be tagged, following the Field Guide instructions not to tag places identified only by a number or letter, such as Boyau 60 or Camp A. I made an exception for Puits 14 Bis after it became apparent that it is a frequently mentioned location as well as the name given to a sector of the front line.

    This section of the Western Front was originally held by the French, which is why some of the place names within the trench system are in French.

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  • ral104 by ral104 moderator, scientist

    I agree with Cynthia - no need to tag these.

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  • erik.schaubroeckscarlet.be by erik.schaubroeckscarlet.be

    In Dixmude you have Le Boyau de la mort along the Yser. Its a well-known relic of the first world war in Flanders. http://www.firstworldwar.com/today/dixmudetrenchesofdeath.htm The Filmfootage is a bit dated, especially the building which is now a little, but fine museum. http://www.wo1.be/nl/jewaserbij/5496/de-dodengang

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  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    That's really interesting, Erik. Thank you for posting that.

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  • ral104 by ral104 moderator, scientist

    Yes, thanks Erik. Very interesting.

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