British soldier and German stretcher-bearers helping a wounded German soldier out of the cellar in which they were found and taken prisoner, August 8, 1918.
British soldier and German stretcher-bearers helping a wounded German soldier out of the cellar in which they were found and taken prisoner, August 8, 1918.
This photograph, colourised by Frédéric Duriez on Flickr, was taken today 105 years ago in the village of Sailly-Laurette on the first day of the Battle of Amiens, August 8, 1918.
This day was famously called the "Black Day in the history of the German Army" by German First Quatermaster-General Erich Ludendorff.
After the Allied breakthrough on August 8, 1918, morale in the German Army plummeted, as thousands of German soldiers began surrendering almost at the sight of the Allies, being fed up with the war and not willing to risk their lives in a war which was becoming increasingly evident was lost.
Danish-German soldier Claus Hansen Eskildsen, a 37-year-old Unteroffizier from the 266th German Reserve Infantry Regiment, fought at Amiens on August 8, and described the scene in his memoirs. Translated by myself:
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"Ludendorff calls August 8 "the black Day" in the history of the German Army. The English attack unexpectedly on the Avre river, the German Divisions put up almost no resistance. The Avre is crossed, "our" city Hangest-sur-Somme and many others are taken.
Ludendorff sends a General Staff Officer out to the site of the disaster. His depiction of the conditions are oppressive. The retreating troops shout "Strikebreakers! War-extenders!" at the reserves moving forward towards the enemy.
This is Ragnarok! We will soon be dragged into it!"

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