The Battle of the Lys, April 1918 | Phil Tomaselli

Over the years, we have filmed quite a lot of speakers at the branch. These have been available to view on the WFA's YouTube channel, and can also be found as 'articles' on the WFA website. However these videos have not been separately grouped for those visiting the Yorkshire branch 'landing page' on the website.

By starting a process of loading these onto the branch page, this makes a number of talks that stretch back to about 2019 'visible'.

In this presentation, Phil Tomaselli talks about The Battle of the Lys, April 1918 - which was given to the branch in May 2023.

The second German offensive of 1918 (Operation 'Georgette') tried to cut through south of Ypres and sweep the British army back to the channel; in the first few days the Germans drove back the British divisions, many of which had suffered badly on the Somme in March. Only heroic resistance stopped the breakthrough and saved Ypres.