German light engine smashed up by our gun fire

German light engine smashed up by our gun fire

A wrecked German steam-engine lying across rail tracks. Graffiti has been written on it, including the name, 'C J Griffin', the motto, 'Never Budge' and the sarcastic joke, 'Lancs Reg Leave Train'. The Lancashire Regiment had 38 battalions on active overseas service during World War I. Many of them must have longed to be at home on leave. A photograph like this would have been useful propaganda, linking a wrecked German engine with British army humour. [Original reads: 'A German light engine smashed up by our gun fire.'] digital.nls.uk/74549310 Image by National Library of Scotland