I'm sorry, that I'm starting my "career" on this forum with the "help request" type of topic, but I'm doing a favour to my old colleague.
In the collection of photos gathered by my friend there is an unique group of photos, taken near Cambrai after the battle of 1917. Amongst them there are several photos of tanks, mainly from La Fontaine. One of them seems to be very interesting - a "corpse" of "Barbarian II" near the village.
While I'm "convincing" him to scan the photo and publish it on-line, meanwhile he asked me to search for other photos of that wreck. We want to determine, if his photo is a popular postcard, or something unique.
That's why I'm asking for your help. Do you know any well-known and widely distributed pictured of "Barbarian II" Mark IV tank, or books with photo references to it? I will be much grateful for any traces and tips!
B.38 'Barbarian II' is listed as one of the tanks captured by the Germans at Cambrai. (M. Borchert 'Der Kampf gegen Tanks') Borchert provides a map where the derelict female tank is sitting just north of Cantaing. I don't, however, recall having yet seen a picture/photograph of the vehicle.
-- Edited by mad zeppelin on Monday 19th of January 2015 05:59:05 PM
This is the only photo I know of 'Barbarian II'. However, my Law of Photography is that if something (anything) was photographed once, it was photographed at least twice. So I'd be interested in seeing this photo, even if it's a better copy of this one.
Gwyn, that's exactly the same photo! Only his (hopefully mine in the near future ;) )) copy was made on soft paper, not standard postcard, and in relatively large format.
In the same collection, he has the shoot of destroyed tank in La Fontaine, burned remains of a plane and later photo of (lone) A249 Whippet. What's interesting, that all of these pictures have the same person on it - the officer with a beard and glassess. Maybe he's a BAKP 20 technician/expert? Hm... Do we have any photo of A249 Whippet? So far I know only one, but with three captured Whippets in the same place.
Whippet A249 was captured by Germans. See page 146 Vol 2 of Beute tanks - the tankograd 2 volume publication. Sent to Abt. 12 near Briey August 1918 then to Berlin. There are photos of this tank
Just one comment about the photos - I'm terribly sorry, that I've used only "phone camera" for taking these shoots... And I know, that the quality is not the best. My friend agreed to copy the photos, but it turns out, that my scanner is malfunctioning. I don't know how much time it'll take to repair it, so instead I've decided to make these reference pictures, and later I'll add something in better quality.
So, can we say more about the presented vehicles now? And are the photos popular, or haven't been published before?
On top is 2080 B.28 "Black Arrow II" seen in Fontaine-Notre-Dame; a rather well documented motif. This specific photograph seems to be unpublished yet.
B.38 "Barbarian II" we have discussed already. A rather rare motif.
Whippet A.249 seems to be seen in the place where it was originally found by the Germans. This specific photograph also seems to be unpublished IRRC.
What's still bothering me is that officer, present on every photograph, and on many others in the collection, but always standing next to the captured Allied equipment.
Also, many thanks for your opinion about these photos!
-- Edited by Nameless Eye on Thursday 22nd of January 2015 08:41:39 PM
As has been said I think the photo of the whippet is one that has not been published. I would very pleased if you could let me have a better quality copy of it at some point as I collect photos to the whippets. They were all built in my home town of Lincoln. PM if and when you can and I will send to you my email address.
What's still bothering me is that officer, present on every photograph, and on many others in the collection, but always standing next to the captured Allied equipment.
Haven't seen a clear image of said officer yet. Therefore, I can't tell whether I 'know' him.
I agree with the comments of MZ and tanks3. The top photo is of 2080 and although there are many photos of this tank I have not previously seen this one. I have seen photos of A249 before but not from this angle. I would also like to have better copies of these.
