In remembrance of WW1 in Flanders Fields
We had 5 hours to spend when leaving Ypres and arriving at our apartment at the coast. So we decided to zigzag through the area... an area scarred by the first World War. The boys had learned a lot about the war and the trenches and the destruction in the museum last night in Ypres. Now we could add with more reality.
Essex Farm Cemetery
First we went to the Essex Farm Cemetery along the strategic canal that has to be fought for so strongly. There is a monument for the 49th West Riding Division.
It's also the location where John Mc Crae, the Canadian major , worked in a medical help post here. First a very improvised dirt wall site, later more fortified. On May 2nd 2015 he wrote his world famous poem - In Flanders Fields - on this spot. Because of this poem, the poppy flower has become the Anglo - Saxon symbol of the war. John Mc Crae died in 2018 in Boulogne-sur-Mer in France where he is buried.
Essex Farm Cemetery
First we went to the Essex Farm Cemetery along the strategic canal that has to be fought for so strongly. There is a monument for the 49th West Riding Division.
It's also the location where John Mc Crae, the Canadian major , worked in a medical help post here. First a very improvised dirt wall site, later more fortified. On May 2nd 2015 he wrote his world famous poem - In Flanders Fields - on this spot. Because of this poem, the poppy flower has become the Anglo - Saxon symbol of the war. John Mc Crae died in 2018 in Boulogne-sur-Mer in France where he is buried.
Yorkshire Trench and Dug Out
A little further in the middle of an industrial zoning, there is a site of trenches and the entrance of a dug out area. Jan and I have been there once in the past but we don't really remember when and why and in which context (same for the John Mc Crae site actually, I had been there before). Back then it was still under construction/ renovation/ rediscovery.
Kabouter had asked to see some trenches, so we know here he could visualise what it had been like. What it meant to be in trenches.
German military cemetery Poelkapelle
While passing so many numerous cemeteries of the Britisch Commonwealth, then we decided it would be appropriate to drive to a German military cemetery further on our way.
Next to the parking lot there was a big monument with welded poppies that students from all over the world had constructed. Very nice. And strong by its simplicity.
While passing so many numerous cemeteries of the Britisch Commonwealth, then we decided it would be appropriate to drive to a German military cemetery further on our way.
Next to the parking lot there was a big monument with welded poppies that students from all over the world had constructed. Very nice. And strong by its simplicity.
The simplicity of the cemetery was chilling....so many simple stones that were listing 2-3-4 ...up to 12 known or unknown soldiers.
In the middle is a mass grave for 25000 soldiers on a field.
Welsh cemetery.
We drove by this cemetery and were impressed by the Welsh monument.
We drove by this cemetery and were impressed by the Welsh monument.
Death Trenches in Diksmuide
We saw our intended next stop from far away: the Ijser Towers in Diksmuide. But just when we crossed the river, we saw the signs to the death trenches. Jan mentioned that his grandfather had fought in those trenches and me and the boys wanted to go there instead.
We saw our intended next stop from far away: the Ijser Towers in Diksmuide. But just when we crossed the river, we saw the signs to the death trenches. Jan mentioned that his grandfather had fought in those trenches and me and the boys wanted to go there instead.
We were greeted at the entrance by some military personnel because we didn't realize that this is a military museum on an active military domain. The military had preserved this stretch immediately after the war...had lost propoerty but had regained it and the site has had a full renovation including its visitor center by 2014 for the centennial remembrance.
There's first 2 floors of the museum with a lookout on the roof terrace with view over the renovated trenches and the IJser river. Then you can descend and walk in the trenches. I assumed this was just a short stretch again, but it really goes deep and far, and it makes it a very impactful experience.
There's first 2 floors of the museum with a lookout on the roof terrace with view over the renovated trenches and the IJser river. Then you can descend and walk in the trenches. I assumed this was just a short stretch again, but it really goes deep and far, and it makes it a very impactful experience.
The Ysers tower a bit further, to be spotted behind a farm
After this last stop, we were silent and impressed....but also saturated with war remembrance. Then it was time to continue in a more straight line towards the coast.
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