THE amazing story of how a heroic British soldier armed with PENCIL and PAPER took on the Germans in World War One has been revealed.
Artist Len Smith risked his life sneaking up to enemy lines and drawing detailed sketches of troops, equipment and positions — providing valuable intelligence.
In one of his most daring missions, Len crept within yards of a German HQ and drew a bomb-damaged tree so accurately British experts made a perfect hollow steel replica.
The real 15ft tree was cut down under cover of darkness and replaced by the fake, which became a listening post with a soldier spying from inside.
In another sortie Len spent four days dodging mortar shells and sniper fire to produce a 6ft-long, panoramic view of the enemy’s front line at Vimy Ridge. He wrote in his diary: “It was utterly fierce — the Huns’ shelling was almost incessant.”
Of the tree episode in Arras, France, in 1915, he wrote: “The tree was standing among the Hun’s barbed wire. I would make a careful sketch, which would be sent to the workshops, where they would make a facsimile tree.
“The old tree would be brought down, the new steel one take its place, all in one night.
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“If all went well, a man would be able to sit among the tangled branches seeing much, hearing plenty and coming in at night full of information.”
Len, of Bexhill-on-Sea, Essex, had joined up in 1914 aged 22, and died in 1974 aged 83.
His courage has been a secret to all but his closest family.
Now his exploits with the 7th London Battalion have emerged in a book called The Pictures and Diary of a Wartime Artist.
James Taylor, head of research at London’s Imperial War Museum, said: “The work of artists was absolutely crucial but extremely dangerous. To crawl into No Man’s Land and make these sketches was very brave.”
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nice find
Posted Oct-16-2008 ByOwenHiggins (1648.64) OwenHiggins View Channel Send Message
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That takes some serious balls.
Posted Oct-16-2008 Byjafll (1001.74) 
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Cool story.
I wonder if the German Army soldiers were labeled "terrorists" at the time? Or were they just soldiers?
Posted Oct-16-2008 ByEXCONservative (417.52) 
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The story of massacres by German troops in Belgian caused a storm in International Media in 1914. The idea of "the Murderous Hun" was a hot topic.
Though the word terrorist may not have been used as such, the idea of a nation (or a cause) to be vilified WAS certainly there.
They WERE just soldiers... There was a clear unity in their suffering and most of the time, they let sleeping dog's lie and opted for a peaceful time. After all, if you throw a hand grenade at somebody who has More..
Posted Oct-16-2008 Byshashi2005 (1165.02) shashi2005 View Channel Send Message
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I wonder if he wanted to be a painter but got caught up in world events and decided to use his talents for his country. I think there are a lot of stories like this, when selflessness directs the use of talent.
Posted Oct-16-2008 Bybardville (413.10) bardville View Channel Send Message
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