The story of the Danger Tree takes some understanding.
The last thing you saw was the Danger Tree.
The Germans had the high ground, and as the Canadians advanced, they were blown to smithereens.
If you got as far as this tree, you died. snipers, artillery and machine gun fire, were used to devastating effect.
All around this tree, piles and piles of dead, littered this small area.
Located halfway across No Man's Land, the “Danger Tree” marked an area of particularly heavy fire.
The site of a high concentration of Newfoundland casualties.
The tree's broken and twisted remains, emerged as an important symbol of the scope of devastation the fighting caused.
Today, a replica of the original tree stands in its place, though unrecognizable after the battle.
The “Danger Tree” was originally a plum tree.
The carnage is breath taking, I listened to a guide talking to students explaining the unimaginable, heart breaking events.
It took them days to clear the area around this small tree.
Can you imagine watching your friends being ordered to attack, seeing them being blown to bits and pieces?
Then, being ordered yourself, to stand in their footsteps, and meeting the same fate.
It's so peaceful now.
Just the sound of the wind and the birds chirping away, give us no clue of the horrific events of yesteryear.
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