A TRIP TO FLANDERS- FIELDS AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE ASK WHY ARE THEY MARCHING FOR. AND I ASK MYSELF THE SAME QUESTION ( © Eric Bogle) Commercial use of this presentation is prohibited unless written permission of the maker. © of the photographs is owned by H. Donkervoet

The 3 e battle of Ypres, also known as the battle of Passendale. For a better look at the whole area use google maps or viamichelin.fr

This used to be a “dressing station”. 3 on the front left are german- the others commonwealth graves

Lancashire cottage farm Ploegsteert

After more than 90 years there’s still only: “Believed to be buried in this cemetery

The German line near Ploegsteert

This is not exeptional In the landscape around Ypres

This place is called “ Mud Corner” On top of the hill is “Prowse Point

One of the few French monuments around Ypres is on Mount Kemmel. Not very high, only 132 metres, but an important point of view. This commemorates 5294 French soldiers who are buried unidentified Only 57 names are officially known

Dugouts on the “quiet side”of the hill, used as command posts and resting place

Looking inside out Men lived here for weeks. Never in full safety, one of these dugouts received a direct hit and was totally destroyed.

Although I do not expect this private to be family of yours, I could not resist in taking this photo. I’ve seen the name many times.

Overlooking “Flanders fields in easterly direction. No poppies yet

Poelkapelle: one of the larger cemeteries. About 3200 graves

The sun makes it difficult to read but The Harp and Crown (Irish) 6322 Private J. CONDON ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT 24TH MAY 1915 AGE 14 He is supposed to be the youngest soldier who died in British service. He lied about his age by enlistment, because his family was very poor. It’s said that he enlisted in 1913 to get a pair of boots.

“Langemarck soldatenfriedhof” A large number also unidentified

Here on the hillslope were the German trenches. The original cemetery was devastated by artillery fire

In this neighbourhood they discovered only recently a “massgrave” with possibly 400 commonwealth servicemen still to be identified

Fromelles (France) Australian monument for the “Cobbers” These were the men who tried to recover the wounded from the battlefield. They also suffered heavy losses.

Victoria Cross corner. Australian cemetery names mentioned on the memorial. 400 of them not identified.

One doesn’t need a metal detector, a good eye is sufficiënt. A 75 mm shell

Close to Zillebeke

Railway Dugouts cemetery ( W of Zillebeke). The tombes in circle are all: “believed to buried on this cemetery” or “Unknown

A German stronghold, still present in the landscape. May-be in use as pig sheds now

Here they lie together, like brothers in arms, the Australian gunner, the German Pilot and the British infantry soldier. Bedford House cemetery.

Ypres famous “Cloth Hall. Originally from the 15th century. Almost totally devastated in the war and later greatly rebuild. It houses “In flanders Fields” museum

In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scars heard amid the guns below We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields Take up your quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold up high If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields John McCrae