点评:I arranged a trip to the Somme battlefields with my family to show them where my grandfather had fought during World War I. I engaged the services of Bert Metselaar for two days as our guide to show us around the battlefield sites and to give us a historic perspective of events during the battle of the Somme. On the first day he concentrated on the battles of 1st July 1916 and we visited Serre, the Hawthorne Crater, the Newfoundland Memorial Park at Beaumont Hamel, Thiepval and the Ulster Tower together with several related cemeteries. On the second day he led us through the events leading up to the battle for High Wood where my grandfather had fought and was wounded. We visited the Lochnagar Crater, the German cemetery at Fricourt, Mametz Wood with its Welsh memorial, Caterpillar Valley and then High Wood. Bert’s detailed knowledge of each battlefield site and the tactics employed enabled us to appreciate the great difficulties faced by the soldiers. What made this tour so interesting was not only the historical content but also the personal stories of a number of men who had fought and died in these battles. Bert was able to bring their stories to life and thereby to honour their memory. A truly memorable two days that everyone enjoyed.
翻译:我安排了一次索姆河战场之旅,带家人去看看我祖父在一战中战斗过的地方。我聘请了伯特·梅特塞拉尔担任我们两天的导游,带领我们参观战场遗址,并从历史的角度讲解索姆河战役的始末。第一天,他重点讲解了1916年7月1日的战役,我们参观了塞尔、霍桑陨石坑、博蒙阿梅尔的纽芬兰纪念公园、蒂耶普瓦尔和阿尔斯特塔,以及几处相关的墓地。第二天,他带领我们了解了高地森林战役之前的战况,我祖父曾在此战斗并负伤。我们参观了洛赫纳加尔陨石坑、弗里库尔的德军公墓、设有威尔士纪念碑的马梅茨森林、毛虫谷,最后回到高地森林。伯特对每个战场遗址和当时的战术都非常了解,这让我们深刻体会到士兵们当时面临的巨大困难。这次旅行之所以如此引人入胜,不仅在于其丰富的历史内容,更在于许多曾在这些战役中浴血奋战、英勇牺牲的战士们的个人故事。伯特生动地讲述了他们的故事,以此缅怀他们。这两天的行程令人难忘,每个人都乐在其中。