2-710-758 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'The Capture of Givenchy', (1919). Scene from the First World War, 1914-1919: 'How the Manchester Regiment Captured the Village of Givenchy by Storm and Drove Out the Germans', first published in "The Sphere". 'The Germans occupied the ruins of the little village of Givenchy on the La Bassée Canal [in northern France], which was very strongly fortified. The Manchester Regiment, however, cleared them out by a most brilliant and dashing attack, pressing on through the village, fierce hand-to-hand fighting taking place in the villa gardens and at every corner affording cover for the Germans.' British forces captured the occupied village of Givenchy on 20 December 1914. From "The History of the Great European War: its causes and effects", Vol. V, by W. Stanley Macbean Knight. [Caxton Pulishing Company, Limited, London, 1919]