The Great Folly of 1916 by Jason Askew. [Postcard]

Assault in the vicinity of Thiepval by the Ulster division-1st July 1916. The 11th Royal Irish Rifles, moving forward from the A line of trenches, and moving forward to attack the B line of trenches, the attacking infantry are preceded by Bombers - seen carryng grenades in green canvas buckets - who are engaged in throwing grenades in anticipation of the rifle company assault on the enemy trenches; an activity barely changed since the days of Marlborough. The rifle companies are armed with the Lee Enfield SMLE - a superb rifle, though expensive to make. The advance is made with bayonets fixed, as trench clearing involved numerous hand to hand confrontations and bayonet fights. The rifle companies are supported by two Lewis gun teams per company. Note that visible in the painting is a man carrying an orange painted steel marker, painted on one side only. The markers are to to indicate to British artillery observers as to the most forward positions taken by the British advance. Naturally, one does not present the orange side to the enemy!

Collector's Postcard - Restricted Initial Print Run of 100 cards.

Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm)