Ypres
The small Belgium town of Ypres dates back to Roman times and was a key strategic position on the Western Front. The Ypres Salient was the only corner of Belgium that remained unconquered by the Germans. During the 4 years of fighting, an average of 5,000 British soldiers died every month. Apart from the weather, cannon and machine guns, the Ypres Salient also saw the inventions of the Flammenwerfer (flame thrower) and poison gas. Churchill, Montgomery and Hitler also saw action at Ypres.
There were 3 main battles here; 31 Oct – 22 Nov 1914, 22 April – 25 May 1915 and 21 July – 6 November 1917. Ypres was known as “Wipers” by British soldiers during the war. There are many museums, memorials and cemeteries in and around Ypres with possible the most significant being the Menin Gate Memorial.
Every evening since 1928, traffic around the Menin Gate is stopped while the Last Post is sounded. This tribute is given in honour of the memory of the British Empire soldiers who fought and died there. During German occupation in World War Two, this ceremony was stopped but was resumed on the eve of liberation on 6th September 1944.
The gigantic Cloth Hall which was built in 1304 had been virtually destroyed but has been fully restored. The main façade is 125m long and the bell tower is 70m tall with a clarion of 49 bells. On a clear day, there is an excellent view from the top.
First Battle of Ypres
Also known as the Battle of Flanders, the First Battle of Ypres was the large major battle of 1914. It started on 19th October and ended a month later. The British were preparing for push on Menin, unaware that the Germans were planning their own offensive. The series of battles ended with a decisive Allied victory. German units consisting of young volunteers suffered terrible losses against a numerically inferior British force. However, many of the British soldiers were veterans of the Second Boer War. The fighting during the First Battle of Ypres was extremely confusing and unrelenting. The onset of winter in November brought the fighting to an end.
Second Battle of Ypres
In 1915, the Second Battle of Ypres took place from 22 April – 25 May 1915. The opening barrages by the Germans included chlorine gas in the assault on Gravenstafel. It is recognized as the first time chemical weapons were used. Within 10 minutes, 6,000 French and Colonial troops died from the gas. This left a 4 mile gap in the front line. However, the Germans had not anticipated the full effects of their new weapon and did not exploit the gap. British and Canadian soldiers were able to step in and hold the line.
Further battles at St Julien, Frezenberg and Bellewaarde saw German advances without a decisive victory. The Ypres Salient had been reduced in size while the town of Ypres had also been shelled. In time, many of the buildings at Ypres were destroyed. It was during the Second Battle of Ypres that Lt-Col John McCrae wrote the memorable poem “In Flanders Fields”. It is still recited today on Remembrance Day.
Third Battle of Ypres – “Passchendaele”
The small village of Passchendale is 5 miles north-east of Ypres. The third battle of Ypres was also known as the Battle of Passchendaele and was fought in 1917. Along with the Somme, Passchendaele is one of the names that for many symbolise the Great War.
On 18th July 1917, a massive artillery barrage was launched against the German lines. It last for 10 days and over 4 million shells were fired. All this achieved was to warn the Germans that a massive assault was coming. The infantry attack started on 31st July by the time the offensive ended in November 1917, 310,000 British soldiers and 260,000 German soldiers had lost their lives for the sake of a few kilometres of land.
The church in Passchendaele was completely destroyed and has since been rebuilt and within the church, you will find the memorial windows in honour of the 66th Division. Other places of importance are the Passchendaele New British Cemetery which has over 2,000 graves, 1,600 of which are unidentified.
Crest Farm is one of the official Canadian memorial sites and in nearby Zonnebecke is the Passchendaele Memorial 1917 Museum which houses many exhibits of equipment, armaments and personal effects.
Tyne Cot is the largest of all the cemeteries with a total of 11,856 graves of British and Commonwealth soldiers. It’s very well signposted and is just to the south of Passchendaele.
Escorted Tours
Leger Holidays are the UK’s leading Battlefield Tours operator. All their tours are escorted by a Specialist Battlefields Guide. Full information about their current tours, availability and prices can be found on their website.
