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Program v.037 June - 11 November 2007

REMEMBRANCEBattle of Messines-Wytschaete

Battle of Passchendaele1917 - 2007

HerdenkingBrochure2007EngEnk 23-08-2006 15:50 Pagina 1

2 I

Wilfried Deraeve


Contents I 3

ContentsPreface 4

Flanders 1917 1917: An Offensive in Flanders 6Messines-Wytschaete 1917 8Passchendaele 1917 9Menin gate 1927 13

Exhibitions ZERO HOUR : The Battle of the Mines 14THE ROAD TO PASSCHENDAELE : Excavations on an old railway 15TYNE COT CEMETERY : An Eternal Vigil 16A DESCENT INTO HELL : The New Zealanders in Passchendaele 17NAVAL DIVISION AND IRON HARVEST :

The story of a farm on the battlefield 18LEGACY OF VALOUR :

The Canadians in Passchendaele 19KNOWN UNTO GOD : The dead of Passchendaele 20

Events Weekend 1(Messines-Wytschaete) : 7-10 June :The Battle of the Mines 21Weekend II (Zonnebeke, Chateau grounds) : 12-15 July : Museum weekend 23Weekend III (Zonnebeke, Chateau grounds) : 24-26 August :

Passchendaele I : Scots 25Weekend IV (Passchendaele,The old cheese dairy) : 5-7 October :

Passchendaele II : Anzacs 27Weekend V (Passchendaele village): 9-11 November :

Passchendaele III : Canadians 29

Others Concert CCMP 31Mine walk 32Film 32Visitor centre Tyne Cot Cemetery 32The Old Railway 33Scottish monument 33The Passchendaele Archives 34Educational package 34Platoon Experience:The Road to Passchendaele 35The Swigshift 35Messines Walk 35Alex Decoteau Run 36Official Pin 1917-2007 36Stamp 36Conference 36Kiwis in Flanders 37Publications 37

Colophon 38


4 I Preface

Preface

Zonnebeke, Heuvelland and Messines are three communities situated on the West Flemish ridge.To the northwest is the more flat area of Langemark-Poelkapelle and to the west the old fortifiedtown of Ypres. The villages around Ypres were small agricultural communities until they wereabruptly set on the world map in 1917.

From 1915 to 1917 the front line acquired the shape of an inverted S, with in the north theYpres Salient and in the south Messines Ridge. In 1917 the British Commander in Chief DouglasHaig intended to break out of the Salient towards Passchendaele and subsequently to Torhoutand Oostende. But first the front line south of Ypres had to be straightened.This was done on7 June 1917 in a spectacular way when 19 giant deep mines were detonated under the Germanpositions. One week later all the objectives were reached, which made the operation one of themost successful campaigns of the entire war. On 16 July 1917 the bombardment of the Germandefence lines in the salient was started. Here no mines were used and on 31 July the attack beganin the pouring rain.The Germans had developed a murderous defence system with bunkers andmachine guns.The day-by-day progress was a matter of a few hundred metres. When the bestBritish troops in September were used up, the Anzacs were brought in, and eventually by the endof October, the Canadians. What should have taken a mere three weeks, finally took more thanthree months to capture the ruins of the village of Passchendaele on 10 November 1917. Half amillion of British and Germans were killed, wounded or missing. Passchendaele 1917 had enteredhistory as the biggest slaughter of the First World War.

The Battle of Messines-Wytschaete and that of Passchendaele are inseparably linked because thefirst was the prologue to the latter. Both battles were fought by the same troops (British,Anzacs,Irish…..) under the same commanders (Haig, Plumer and Rupprecht von Bayern). But also todayZonnebeke, Heuvelland and Messines have much in common: the fairly well preserved battle-fields and the incessant efforts made to make the legacy of the war further accessible. Amongother things we mention the setting up of the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, re-openingan old railway line and the new visitor centre near Tyne Cot Cemetery in Zonnebeke, the res-toration of Bayernwald and Letteberg in Heuvelland, and the Irish Peace Tower and new youthhostel in Messines. Sharing the passion of the common past and a dynamic approach, the localauthorities of Zonnebeke (Passchendaele), Heuvelland (Wytschaete) and Messines have embar-


Preface I 5

ked on a unique co-operation for the remembrance year 2007.The project is supported by apartnership with the Belgian Ministry of Defence. For certain parts in the program there is alsoa co-operation with the community of Langemark-Poelkapelle and the town of Ypres as 2007 isalso the 80th anniversary of the inauguration of the Menin Gate.

In this presentation brochure you will find a survey of all planned events and exhibitions. For furt-her realization several authorities, museums and corporations will be approached, both national-ly and internationally.The present text (version 03) will be updated in November and finally prin-ted in the beginning of 2007 as a full colour brochure mentioning names of all partners and spon-sors.The overall programme will be coordinated by the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917.Anticipating the kind support of anybody being presented with this brochure, we’re looking for-ward to 2007.Yours sincerely,

The Aldermen of Culture and Tourism, The Burgomasters,

Franky BRYON (Zonnebeke) Dirk CARDOEN (Zonnebeke)Geert VANDEWYNCKEL (Heuvelland) Bernard HEENS (Heuvelland)Frans LIGNEL (Ieper) Luc DEHAENE (Ieper)

Sandy EVRARD (Mesen)


6 I Flanders 1917

Flanders 19171917:AN OFFENSIVE IN FLANDERS

In the summer of 1917 the British are resolvedto break the deadlock in Flanders. Theyintend to push forward to the German U-boat bases on the Belgian coast. At the sametime they hope with this attack to relieve thepressure on the French troops in the south.The French face widespread mutiny andurgently need time and rest to set thingsright.After the disastrous failures of Verdun andthe Somme in 1916, the Germans resolutelyopt for a defensive approach. The Britishhowever keep believing in a final breakthrough. In Flanders the Germans bring theirFourth and Sixth armies under the comman-dership of Crown Prince Rupprecht vonBayern. As chief of staff of the fourth armyhe gets the best German defence expert,Colonel von Lossberg, who prepares the big‘Abwehrschlacht’. They opt for a defence indepth with bunkers and machine guns, and aflexible relief system between front linetroops, reserves and special ‘Eingreifdivisionen’,waiting to recover the lost territory in casethe enemy breaks through. On the Messines-Wytschaete ridge three lines in depth aredeveloped and in the Ypres Salient six. AtMessines-Wytschaete the Germans concen-trate their defence on the first line, while

towards Zonnebeke-Passchendaele they doso on the third (Wilhelm) and the fourth(Flandern I) line.The offensives in the Wytschaete and YpresSalient result in totally different successes forthe British. Messines 1917 becomes one ofthe most important gains of territory of thewhole war. Passchendaele 1917 is undoub-tedly the biggest catastrophe.

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Flanders 1917 I 7


8 I Flanders 1917

MESSINES-WYTSCHAETE 1917

To break through the Ypres Salient, first thefront line in the south, the Wytschaete Salient(better known as Messines ridge) has to bestraightened. Between 1915 and 1917 theBritish had tried dozens of times to forcetheir way through the high positionedGerman defences. From 1916 on they startone of their most important pieces of work:undermining the salient in 24 places withpowerful deep mines. But the Germans areinformed about it and try to keep them offfrom ever deeper tunnels. A bizarre cat-and-mouse game develops, a game of mining andcountermining, a particular type of warfaredeep below the salient. Near La Petite Douvethe British lose one mine charge to theGermans, and also in other places the char-ges’ locations are almost detected. Never-the-less, by the summer of 1917, everything is setfor ‘Zero Hour’.

At dawn of 7 June 1917 nineteen mines aredetonated simultaneously. It is the mostpowerful man-made explosion until then,triggering off a powerful earthquake. Thedesperation among the Germans is comple-te. The first lines are abandoned with highcasualties, and a few hours later they evenhave to give up their second line. The NewZealanders take Messines and both Irish divi-sions capture the ruins of Wytschaete. It’s notbefore the third line, near Oosttaverne, thatthe Germans can hold their ground.Theunderground work of the Tunnellers, and thebrilliantly conceived strategic plan byPlumer’s second army bring about anunmatched success. A week later the wholeWytschaete Salient has collapsed andCommander in Chief Haig can focus on the‘Flanders Offensive’, better known as ThirdYpres or the Battle of Passchendaele.

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Australian War Memorial


Flanders 1917 I 9

PASSCHENDAELE 1917

For Third Ypres, Commander in Chief Doug-las Haig deploys General Gough’s fifth army.South of it Plumer’s second army is deployed.Haig and Gough have a major offensive inmind along a broad front. First the Britishartillery is to destroy the German defencelines, followed by a massive attack of theinfantry.They are supposed to push forwardas far as the Wilhelm Stellung, and if possibleeven to Flandern I.

On 12 July 1917 the Germans pound thefirst British lines with mustard gas, betterknown as Yperite. A bad start for the Britishartillery barrage scheduled to begin four dayslater. In two weeks’ time the British fire over4 million shells on the German lines, which istwo and a half times more than earlier theyear before at the Somme.

On the eve of the battle, near Polygon Wood,one of the biggest dogfights of the war takesplace. No fewer than 94 planes are involved.

At the end of July the rain starts pouringdown. The area, churned by shells, quicklyturns into a swamp. After several delays, thenine divisions of the British fifth army finallyset off. But the tank brigades soon get bog-ged down in the mud; the attempt gets stuckon the Wilhelm Stellung and has to be aban-doned. In the space of three days the Britishhave gained three kilometres of territory,slightly more than half the amount they hadhoped for.

On 10 August the British launch an attack onthe heights surrounding Gheluvelt. To theGermans these are of utmost strategic


10 I Flanders 1917

importance: from there indeed they can hitthe whole British right flank. However theattack fails: only the hamlet of Westhoek istaken.

Mid August the action switches to Lange-marck.After a few warm days a dry crust hasformed on the mud. As a result tanks can bedeployed again. But still they get boggeddown.The break through seems further awaythan ever.

At the end of August, the British Comman-der in Chief Haig understands that with

General Gough he has made the wrong choice, and he passes the initiative toGeneral Plumer again. The latter decides tofight the German Eingreifdivisionen applyingtheir own tactics. He develops a step-by-stepapproach: limited but well aimed attacksinstead of a massive offensive over a broadfront. Plumer can now also dispose of twonew corps: the first and second Anzac,Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.The combination of the new troops and theadapted tactics turn out to be very effective.On 20 September fighting along the MeninRoad is successful, and on 26 September the5th Australian division takes Polygon Wood.The British succeed in breaking through theWilhelm Stellung almost everywhere.The German bunkers have to be taken oneby one.This is achieved most often by volun-teers: they work their way round the bunker

Wilfried Deraeve

and overpower the defenders with hand gre-nades, clubs and knives. Such attacks requirea lot of prowess. Nowhere else were moreVictoria Crosses – the highest military dis-tinction – awarded than in this area.

On 4 October the British reach the FlandernI Stellung. The Germans are determined todefend the line at all costs. For this reasonthey abandon usual tactics, and deploy alltheir troops in the front line.The outcome isa bloody disaster : 4 October turns out to beGermany’s blackest day.The New Zealanderstake ‘s Graventafel and the 3rd Australiandivision breaks through the Flandern 1 posi-tion near what was to become Tyne CotCemetery.

October 1917 is one of the wettest monthsof the century. Plumer and Gough demand


Flanders 1917 I 11

kers. Next day Haig gives the order to stopthe attack. He has the depleted Anzacs largelyrelieved by Canadians.

On 26 October the Canadians set out fortheir ‘Road to Passiondale’ in the pouringrain. Five days later General Plumer gets evenmore troops at his disposal. Meanwhile thename of the village has acquired mythicalproportions: ‘Passiondale’, ‘the valley of suffe-ring’. On 6 November the Canadians manageto occupy the village, or what is left of it.Theycan make no further progress and on 10November the offensive peters out on topof the ridge.

The result of Haig’s ‘Flanders Offensive’ is dis-tressing: after 100 days the allies have advan-ced hardly eight kilometres.The human toll isenormous. 245,000 British killed, injured ormissing, a quarter of the troops deployed. Onthe German side losses are just a bit lower.

the offensive to be called off, but Haig badlyneeds a victory. He also wants to prevent theGermans from attacking the exhaustedFrench troops further to the south. Whatwas initially the objective of the first phase,now becomes the ultimate target of thewhole campaign: to capture the ruins of thevillage on top of the ridge – Passchendaele.

In a few days’ time, the unremitting heavyrains turn the landscape into a quagmire inwhich humans, animals and machines sink.On 9 October it takes the British troops ele-ven hours from Ypres to reach their jumpingoff lines along narrow duckboardtracks.Getting the artillery forward is impossibleand so the German positions cannot beshelled as usual.The Battle of Poelcapelle hasa bloody end.

On 12 October the allies try to takePasschendaele but the Germans repel theattack with machine gun fire from their bun-

Wilfried Deraeve


12 I Flanders 1917

After all, a British victory was simply not fea-sible. The British attacked with 57 divisions,the Germans defended with 88 divisions, aone to one and a half ratio. Nevertheless theBattle of Passchendaele determines the endof the war. Because the Germans are keptbusy in the north by the British, they cannottake on the defenceless French in the south.During the Battle of Passchendaele they losea considerable amount of equipment whichthe German industry cannot make up. Haignever got to Zeebrugge, but by means of hiswar of attrition he has deprived the Ger-mans of the reserves which they will lack in1918 to win the war. The ‘Materialschlacht’ of1917 will finally finish them off one year later.

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Flanders 1917 I 13

MENIN GATE 1927

On 24 July 1927, almost ten years after thebeginning of the Third Battle of Ypres, theMenin Gate memorial was inauguratedunder massive public interest. Indeed, moreBritish soldiers were killed during this battle,than in any of the other battles near Ypres.At the time the Menin Gate fulfilled and con-tinues to fulfil a very real need of the Britishfront visitor : to find the names of relativeswith no known grave. Field Marshal Plumerformulated this most poignantly on the dayof the inauguration: “He is not missing, he ishere”.The Menin Gate is twinned with theMemorial Wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery. AllBritish soldiers who fell in the Ypres Salientbefore 15 August 1917 and whose bodieswere never found are listed at the MeninGate, those missing after 15 August 1917 arelisted at Tyne Cot Cemetery. The Australiansand Canadians are all remembered on theMenin Gate while the New Zealanders haveseparate monuments in specific cemeteries.Over the years the Menin Gate has becomethe war monument that has captured thepublic’s imagination more than any other.Thefact that internationally the Menin Gate hasbecome the icon for war commemoration isalso due to the Last Post ceremony. This dailyceremony – unique in the world – is the localpopulation’s tribute to those who fell duringthe Great War.Over the years many dignitaries have atten-ded the Last Post ceremony under the MeninGate, including the British and Belgian royalfamilies in 1966 and in 1998. In 1985, PopeJohn-Paul II made a significant visit to Ypres.His visit marked the beginning of renewedinterest in the First World War and gaveYpres its calling as city of peace.


14 I Exhibitions

Exhibitions

End of 1914 the front line south of Ypres gotfixed on the Messines-Wytschaete ridge.Time after time the British tried to breakthrough the German high positions. In 1916specialized Tunnelling Companies startedtheir magnum opus to undermine the mostimportant German forward positions with24 powerful deep mines. But the Germansbecame aware of this and quickly a cat-and-mouse game with mines and counterminesdeveloped. Eventually, on 7 June 1917, nineteencharges were detonated simultaneously, trig-gering off the largest artificial earthquake tillthen. The Germans were bewildered andonly one week later, the salient round

For the remembrance year 2007, no fewer than seven exhibitions are being set up, six of whichtake place in Zonnebeke.The exhibition in Messines-Wytschaete opens on 8 June and will firststay in Messines for three months and afterwards for three months in Wytschaete.The exhibitionsin Zonnebeke start on 13 July and are linked to each other along a marked circuit, and via theWesthoek cycle network even with Wytschaete-Messines. All exhibitions are on until 19November 2007.

Messines-Wytschaete was rolled up. It’s oneof the greatest achievements of the wholewar. The exhibition tells the story of theBritish Tunnellers and the German Mineureby means of rare photo and film material, itgives a survey of the fighting between 7 and14 June, and illustrates the impact of the blaston the landscape. The exhibition runs forthree months in Messines, where it can bevisited together with the local museum, andafterwards for three months in Wytschaetevillage.

Exhibition 1 (Messines-Wytschaete)ZERO HOUR:The Battle of the Mines


Exhibitions I 15

Exhibition 2 (Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917)THE ROAD TO PASSCHENDAELE:

Excavations on an old railway

will tell the historical and archaeological storyof the railway by means of photos, drawings,reconstruction work and an extensive selec-tion of finds.This exhibition will also be set upin a museum abroad and will after 2007 con-tinue as a travelling exhibition.

October 4 is the crucial day of the battle ofPasschendaele. The jumping off line for theattack was the Zonnebeke-Langemark road.By the end of the day the 3rd AustralianDivision had taken position on the now TyneCot Cemetery, where a memorial plaquebeneath the Cross of Sacrifice remembersthem. The terrain for the attack is split up bythe old railway line Ypres-Roulers, disusedsince 1952. In co-operation with the provinceof West Flanders a foot- and cycle path wastraced out along the former railway track.This will constitute a physical link betweenthe Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917and Tyne Cot Cemetery. For the constructi-on of it, extensive preliminary excavationswere carried out in the summer of 2005.Among other things, several German bun-kers were excavated, and also the exceptio-nally well preserved remains of a LancashireFusilier. For the first time in Flanders, historicalresearch and archaeological work were sowell combined on a World War One site.The results of it will be processed into abook and an exhibition with the same name:‘The Road to Passchendaele’. The exhibition


16 I Exhibitions

Exhibition 3 (Visitor centre Tyne Cot Cemetery)TYNE COT CEMETERY : An Eternal Vigil

Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest Common-wealth War Graves cemetery in the world. It contains 12,000 graves and on the crescent shapedrear wall are the names of 35,000 soldiers whoare missing in action after 16th August 1917 andwho have no known grave. For this reason TyneCot cemetery is a special place of remembrancein the 1917 Battle of Passchendaele. The ceme-tery is situated in the actual fields where fiercefighting took place and where so many of themissing now lie undisturbed and sleeping. Eachyear the cemetery attracts 180,000 visitors.However, by the end of 2006, brand new recep-tion facilities will be finished, with car park, toiletsand a visitor's centre providing background infor-mation on the cemetery and the thousands of

soldiers buried or commemorated here.The cen-tre is designed in such a way as to focus on aninteraction with the historical battlefield and inparticular the capture of the ridge by the 3rdAustralian Division on 4 October 1917, with alink to the temporary exhibition in the MemorialMuseum. Although the new facilities will be avai-lable in 2006, the formal inauguration will takeplace on 12 July 2007. The costs of the wholescheme amount to 1.500.000 euros. It is an initia-tive of the Community of Zonnebeke, theProvince of West Flanders, Tourism Flanders, theEuropean Community and a private partnership,with the cooperation of the CommonwealthWar Graves Commission and the MemorialMuseum Passchendaele 1917.


Exhibitions I 17

Exhibition 4 (old cheese dairy)A DESCENT INTO HELL:The New Zealanders in Passchendaele.

In 2003-2004 in the New Zealand ArmyMuseum in Waiouru, there was a major exhi-bition on Passchendaele 1917. Two impor-tant dates are indelibly stamped in the NewZealand collective memory: 4 and 12October 1917. On 4 October the New Zea-landers successfully took the heights ofGravenstaefel, but got stuck near theRavebeek, in front of Bellevue. On 9 Octoberthe British tried out a frontal attack, followedagain by the New Zealanders on 12 Octo-ber. 12 October 1917 turned out to be thebloodiest day in the history of the youngNew Zealand. In hardly more than fourhours 2,700 casualties were inflicted on thedivision. As an eternal memory, there’s a largemonument on top of Gravenstaefel hill. Theexhibition tells the story of 4 and 12October and of the men who fought here inutmost degrading circumstances. We intendto bring this award winning exhibition toPasschendaele and to set it up in the oldcheese dairy buildings, situated on the historicsite between Gravenstaefel and Bellevue.Today Passchendaele is not only renownedfor its war past, but also for its Passchendaelecheeses.

In this renovated old cheese dairy you canfollow the whole production process frommilk to cheese. There is a spacious cafeteria,parking place and play garden.


18 I Exhibitions

Exhibition 5 (Varlet Farm)NAVAL DIVISION & IRON HARVEST:The story of a farm on the battlefield

Varlet Farm is near the hamlet of Walle-molen. On 26 October 1917 the Royal NavalDivision tried to force their way through onthe left flank of the Canadians, but the attackwas stranded in the mud near the Padde-beek. Also on 30 October and 5 Novemberthere was another major offensive, but againin vain. In 10 days’ time around Varlet Farmalmost 2,000 marines were knocked out ofaction. The current inhabitants of Varlet Farmare passionately interested in World WarOne and for years have collected anythingthat was found on their fields. The story ofthe Naval Division in Passchendaele will betold by the Historical Branch of the RoyalNavy in Portsmouth.

Here no cleaned relics in a static museumcompartment, but bits of helmets, rifles andbayonets as they are ploughed to the surfaceeach year.A lot of attention is paid to the fin-ding of ammunition, set in an historical per-spective. It’s the story of thousands of labou-rers who earned their living here between1919 and 1930 digging deep to find copperand iron, it’s also the story of dismantlingammunition illegally by unauthorized people(which has cost the lives of hundreds of men)and the work of DOVO (Belgian BombDisposal Squad). Collecting war relics is alsodiscussed relating to battlefield archaeologyas a new discipline… the ‘iron harvest’ or the‘legacy of Passchendaele’.


Exhibitions I 19

Exhibition 6 (Passchendaele Village)LEGACY OF VALOUR: The Canadians in Passchendaele

refers to this world famous village with itshaunting past. In a special exhibition, namedafter the book by Daniel Dancocks, one willlearn all about it. Striking photographs, testi-monies, artefacts and reconstruction worksgive an exceptional, idea of the Canadianpresence at Passchendaele and the utterdestruction of this front line village.Moreover a lot of attention will be paid tounderstanding the historical battlefield andthe link to the present landscape. Furtherthere will also be stories of some Flemishpeople who were killed alongside theCanadians in Passchendaele.

Last in the row, the Canadians began their‘Road to Passchendaele’ on 26 October1917. In front of them lay the valley of theRavebeek with the hillocks of Crest Farm andBellevue. When on 30 October Crest Farmfinally was taken, it took another eleven daysbefore also the church of Passchendaele fell,just one kilometre further up. This was theend of the Battle of Passchendaele, officiallyon 10 November 1917. After the war theCanadians erected a national monumentnear the ruins of Crest Farm, which was lin-ked to the church by a new road, CanadaLane. Otherwise, on the face of it, not much


20 I Exhibitions

Exhibition 7 (Passchendaele Church)KNOWN UNTO GOD:

The Dead of Passchendaele

More than 200,000 British, German andFrench soldiers have no known grave in thearea. About half of this number are simplyremembered with the words “Known untoGod,” 'Unbekannt' or 'Inconnu' .Today, ninetyyears later, human remains are still beingfound. In most cases the nationality can bedetermined, occasionally the name of theregiment, and in some rare cases even theidentity of the soldier. 'Finding the Fallen' tellsthe story of the latest human finds, and howthey are treated with such great care. Theexhibition is set up by the National ArmyMuseum in Chelsea, where it was on displaytill spring 2006.A second exhibition is relatedto it, covering burial places in Westhoek. Insome thirty pictures, the British photograp-

her Brian Harris offers a telling image of thework of the Commonwealth War GravesCommission. After all, it is 90 years ago thatthis organization was established by FabianWare, who initially inspired it. Under the aut-hority of the Commission, historian JulieSummers is working on an official history,helped as she is by these pictures. InNormandy and at the Somme, similar themeexhibitions will be running. Both exhibitionson 'The Dead of Passchendaele' are set up inone of the most symbolic places on the wes-tern front: Passchendaele Church. Outsidethere is an arts exhibition 'Reflection' withcontemporary reflections on the subject 'lifeand death' in Passchendaele.


Events I 21

Events

As a prologue to the Battle of Passchendaele, the front line south of Ypres had to be straightened.This happened when on 7 June 1917 nineteen powerful deep mines were detonated, whichtogether triggered off the largest manmade explosion so far. One week later all objectives werereached.

Thursday 7 June:CEREMONY

Official remembrance ceremony for the minebattle of 7 June 1917 in Messines. Traditionallythe focus here is on the Irish and the impressiveIrish Peace Tower. For the 2007 ceremony repre-sentatives of all countries involved will be invited.

All events are combined into five theme weekends which in time correspond to the differentphases of the offensive.The activities each time take place on a site as close as possible to thehistorical location of the battle concerned.

Weekend 1 (Messines-Wytschaete)7-10 JUNE: Battle of the Mines

Thursday 7 June:REDMOND WALK

Remembrance walk from Wytschaete toLocre commemorating Major WilliamRedmond MP. Early morning start at 4.10 am.

Sunday 10 June: CEREMONY

At 10 a.m. ecumenicial service in Wytschaete Church, followedby a parade to the local War Memorial and Wytschaete MilitaryCemetery.


Saturdag - Sunday 9-10 June:THEATRE WALKS:BATTLE OF THE MINES

Theatre walks focusing on the 7 June 1917Battle of the mines, starting and finishing atWytschaete village. Historical evocation inten tableau’s with among others a visit to theGerman counter mine shaft Dietrich.Departure: every half hour between 1.30 and6.30 p.m.

22 I Events

Saturday 9 june 2007:NEW ZEALAND WALK

Guided walk in the wake of the Kiwis. We follow the attack of the New ZealandDivision along fields and meadows. Depar-ture: 9 a.m. from Messines square.

Saturday 9 June: CONCERT

Unique theme concert in the church ofWytschaete with music, texts, photo and filmmaterial covering the mine battle of 7 June.

Friday 8 June:PEACE CONFERENCE

International conferencewith different partiesfrom Northern Irelandand the Irish Republicfor a better co-operationand understanding inNorthern Ireland. Themeeting takes place inthe International Schoolof Peace Studies nearthe Irish Peace Tower.

Friday 8 June:OPENING

At 7 p.m. the official opening of the specialexhibition 'Zero Hour' in the Peace School,followed by an Irish festival in the streets ofMessines commencing 8.30 p.m.


Events I 23

On 12 July 1917 the Germans for the first time attacked using mustard gas, better known asYperite. Four days later the allies launched an artillery bombardment towards Passchendaelewith unprecedented ferocity. 12 July is therefore chosen as the opening of the commemorationsin Zonnebeke with an international ceremony at Tyne Cot Cemetery. Together, the traditionalmuseum weekend is scheduled, which exceptionally is moved away from the end of April.

Thursday 12 July:INTERNATIONAL DOUBLE CEREMONY

On 12 July 2007 the official commemorationservice for the Battle of Passchendaele atTyne Cot Cemetery will be organised. Just asin 1967 and 1987 the heads of state andgovernments of all countries involved will beinvited.The ceremony starts at 3.30 pm withthe international opening of the new visitorcentre near Tyne Cot Cemetery, followed at5.30 pm by an ecumenical service, led by theChaplain General to the Forces and a BelgianBishop. Afterwards the delegation is going tothe Menin Gate in Ypres for a special cere-mony to commemorate the 80th anniversaryof the inauguration of the Menin Gate at 5.30p.m. Several regiments have already announ-

ced their presence. For the reception of theimportant guests the strictest safety proce-dures will be implemented. After the cere-monies there will be a VIP reception in thechateau grounds, which for the occasion willbe closed to all other visitors. The ceremo-nies at Tyne Cot Cemetery and the MeninGate are to become the absolute climax ofthe 2007 remembrance year.

Friday 13 July:OPENING EXHIBITIONS

On Friday 13 July all exhibitions will be officiallyopened. The guests will be taken by coachesfrom one site to the other, and afterwards anextensive reception will take place.

Weekend 2 (Zonnebeke, Chateau grounds)12-15 JULY: Museum weekend

© www.zonnebeke.be


Saturday-Sunday 14-15 July:BATTLEFIELD TOURS

During the whole weekend shuttle buses willlink the different exhibitions and some otheraccessible sites. Guides will be on the spotand with a single ticket you will be able totour the whole day.

Saturday-Sunday 14-15 July:LIVING HISTORY

Following tradition during the museum weekend, festivities will get underway in Zonnebeke withliving history. For 2007 we hope to welcome 200 re-enactors in what is to become the biggestevocation of First World War ever. In 2006 participants came from 7 different countries.

Saturday 14 July:BAL POPULAIRE

On Saturday evening the chateau groundswill be the setting of a popular dance partyin the marquee.A band will perform authenticmusic from the years of the war. Re-enactorswill add colour to the event and everybodyis invited to dance to music from those days.

© www.zonnebeke.be © www.zonnebeke.be


Events I 25

From 31 July to the end of August 1917 British troops tried to break through the front line.Scottish units played an important role in this endeavour, more particularly the 9th, 15th and 51stdivisions. A theme weekend focusing on the Highlanders and Lowlanders in Zonnebeke…

Weekend 3 (Zonnebeke, Chateau grounds)26 AUGUST: Passchendaele I: Scots

Saturday 25 August:FOUR DAYS OF THE YSER

Closing day of the Yser walking days, organi-sed by the Belgian army.Thousands of hikerson the former Westhoek battlefields.

Saturday-Sunday 25-26 August:GASTRONOMY

On Saturday and Sunday afternoon running,Scottish specialities such as haggis andblends of whisky can be tasted in a special marquee in the chateau grounds. Adapted music will lead us all the way to Scotland.


26 I Events

Saturday 25 August:INAUGURATION SCOTTISH MONUMENT

On the Frezenberg, a Celtic Cross will be inaugurated on Saturdayafternoon to commemorate all the Scots who were killed here inthe First World War. It will be paid for by fund raising in Scotland.Any support is welcome.

Saturday 25 August:TATTOO

Imposing evening show with civilian and mili-tary pipe bands in the chateau court.

Sunday 26 August:FREZENBERG DAWN WALK

For the first time in Flanders, you can witnessa genuine 'dawn service', with a Scottishpiper. In a four kilometers' walk we follow thestory of the Scottish, Irish, English and SouthAfrican attacks on Zonnebeke. Another firstperformance is the play 'The Prayer'. Thiswell-known work by the Scottish stretcherbearer William St. Clair will be staged for thefirst time on the very battlefield it was writtenfor.This unique 'battlefield walk' finishes with aScottish breakfast, prepared by an army cookfrom Scotland.

Sunday 26 August:HIGHLAND GAMES

A taste of ancient folklore from Scotland…genuine Scottish bruisers show how it shouldbe done. Local teams will play for the honour.


Events I 27

To give the exhausted offensive new momentum, the two Anzac corps were deployed here inmid September. One month later this attack by the Australians and New Zealanders petered outon the murderous German defence system with bunkers and machine guns.

Weekend 4 (Passchendaele, Old Cheese Dairy)5-7 OCTOBER: Passchendaele II:Anzacs

Friday 5 October:GASTRONOMY

The old cheese dairy premises are a popularvenue for gourmets. To open the themeweekend, a famous Belgian chef will be facedwith delicacies and Chefs from Australia andNew Zealand.

Saturday-Sunday 6-7 October:LIVING HISTORY

Arrival on Saturday of participants to a se-veral days’ Anzac walk, organised by re-enac-tors from Australia and New Zealand.Throughout Saturday and Sunday there willbe Anzac re-enactment with drill, battle re-enacting, advanced dressing posts…

Thursday 4 October:SERVICE

At 10.30 a.m. service for the fallenNew Zealanders at Gravenstafeland at 11 a.m. for the Australiansat Tyne Cot Cemetery.

© www.westhoek.be


28 I Events

Saturday 6 October:THEMEWALK AUSTRALIANS

Guided theme walk along the newly openeddisused railway line Ypres-Roulers in thewake of the Australian 3rd Division.Departure: 3 p.m. at the Memorial Museum.

Saturday 6 October:DUAL PERFORMANCE

A unique dual performance with nativemusic from Australia and New Zealand byAborigines and Maori. Never shown in Flan-ders before!

Sunday 7 October:THEMEWALKNEWZEALANDERS

Theme walk focusing on the commitment ofthe New Zealanders on 4 and 12 October.Departure at 3 p.m. at the exhibition on theOld Cheese Dairy premises. In the morningat Messines at 9 a.m., the New Zealand walkof 9 June is repeated.There is the opportu-nity to combine both as a special day arran-gement in the wake of the Kiwis.

Sunday 7 October:RUGBY MATCH

On 4 October 1917 at ‘s Graventafel theNew Zealander David Gallagher, skipper ofthe national rugby squad ‘The All Blacks’, waskilled. At 3 p.m. at Passchendaele, a uniqueremembrance match will be played: rugby forthe first time in Westhoek!!


Events I 29

End October 1917 the exhausted Anzacs were relieved by Canadians. On 30 October 1917 theystood at Crest Farm, but it took them another 10 days before they managed to take the ruinsof Passchendaele church, less than one kilometre further on.

Weekend 5 (Passchendaele Village)9-11 NOVEMBER Passchendaele III: Canadians

Saturday-Sunday10-11 November:BOOK FAIR

Two days’ international book fair with thou-sands of new and antiquarian books aboutFlanders and the Great War. From 10 a.m. to6 p.m. in the former village school ofPasschendaele in Canadalaan.

Saturday 10 November:CLOSING CEREMONY

International closing ceremony of the remembrance year 2007 with a march from Crest Farmto the village of Passchendaele, with ambassadors of all countries involved. Start at 6 pm.

Saturday 10 November:SEMINAR

Seminar on the Flemish emigration toCanada in the 19th and 20th century and thespecial bonds between both countries.

© www.zonnebeke.be


30 I Events

Sunday 11 November:THEMEWALK

A singular exploration of the village of Passchendaele from the viewpoint of the Canadians takingthe village in October-November 1917.

Saturday 10 November:CONCERT

Remembrance concert in Passchendaele church aboutthe Canadians in Passchendaele with the subject 'War andEmigration'. Before the first World War, thousands ofFlemings emigrated to Canada to start a new life. Quite afew of them came back when serving in the Canadianarmy, to die in Passchendaele. A few harrowing life storiesconstitute the guideline for this special remembrance con-cert with live music of the Swigshift. Start at 8 p.m.

Sunday 11 November:ARMISTICE DAY

Traditional November 11 ceremony in Passchendaelewith service and ceremonies at different monuments.

© www.zonnebeke.be


Others I 31

Others

As a yearly tradition, the 'Competentiecentrum Steun Materieel en Producten' (CCMP - the Belgianarmy logistics department at Ypres) organizes a friendship concert. It goes without saying that thearmy community cannot ignore the Battle of Passchendaele 90 years ago. For that reason, in theYpres cloth hall, on 9 and 16 February, the theme concert 'From Tipperary to Passchendaele' willbe performed.This poignant story of the Irish in the Great War finishes on 16 August 1917 atFrezenberg.With this concert the CCMP goes first in an impressive year of remembrance.

FRIENDSHIP CONCERT CCMP


32 I Others

For years in Heuvelland there has been the footpath‘Craters and Mines’.The municipality of Heuvellandhas now taken the initiative to update it, incorporatinga few new sites. The footpath starts at Wytschaete’svillage welcoming point linking the most importantmine craters with Bayernwald war site, a few cemete-ries, and the German countermine shaft Dietrichacross Petit Bois. To achieve this, a special passagethrough Wytschaete Wood (Grand Bois) will be madeaccessible.

MINE PATH

The municipality of Heuvelland is working on a docu-mentary film about the mine battle of Wytschaete-Messines.The story of the digging of the tunnels andthe mine battle will be visualised by new genuine footage,reconstructions and 3-D simulations. For the first timethe story of the German moles will also be told.Preview of the film during the weekend of 7 June.

FILM

Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest burial ground of the Commonwealth in Europe. Every year180,000 visitors come here from all over the world. In 2007 we open a brand new visitor centrewith parking place, toilets and background information on the cemetery.The project is a co-ope-ration between the municipality of Zonnebeke, the province of West Flanders,Tourism Flanders,the European Community and a private partner, supported by the Commonwealth War GravesCommission and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917.

VISITOR CENTRE TYNE COT CEMETERY


Others I 33

The disused railway line Ypres-Roulers linksZonnebeke with Tyne Cot Cemetery over adistance of less than 2 kilometres.The terrainconcerned is the very area of the Australianadvance on 4 October 1917. By the end of2006, the disused track will be adapted asfoot and cycle path. Along the track severalwar relics will be visible and there will beinformation plaques with historical explanation.Furthermore, an educational package will belinked to the path. In this way, school partiescan learn about the Battle of Passchendaelein the museum and afterwards they can re-walk one day of the battle (4 October), to befaced eventually with the human cost at TyneCot Cemetery.

THE OLD RAILWAY

On 25 August 2007 at Frezenberg(Zonnebeke), a monument will be unveiledfor all the Scots who died here in Flandersduring the first World War. In August-September 1917, Frezenberg was the sceneof one of the biggest tragedies in the Scottishhistory.The monument will have the shape ofa Celtic cross, cut from Scottish granite. It willbe erected on a pedestal of German block-house stones. To cover the costs, a sponso-ring campaign is running in Scotland. Severalregiments and official bodies have made acontribution already. Also the FlemishSecretary of Foreign Affairs and Tourism isgiving financial help.To the broad public spe-cial 'pipers' are sold, made by the famous'Shrapnel Charlie', and also the profits of sel-ling the official 'pin 2007' will entirely go tothe Scottish monument. For more information:www.scottishmonument.be

SCOTTISH MONUMENT

© www.zonnebeke.be


34 I Others

THE PASSCHENDAELE ARCHIVES

EDUCATIONAL PACKAGE

The ‘Passchendaele Archives’ are started to try andgive a face to the thousands of names on headstonesand memorials to the missing. Archives will be com-piled of all the casualties of the Battle of Passchen-daele on the condition that photographic materialcan be found. Thanks to an allowance from theFlemish Secretary of Culture, a historian could beemployed to systematically check thousands of publi-cations, to do research home and abroad in archivesand to support a network of volunteers who try toget into touch with the families of casualties.This pro-ject is to result eventually into a database and publi-cation with extracts from personal files. It will alsocontribute to the setting up of the new visitor centrenear Tyne Cot Cemetery.

Early 2006, the Memorial Museum launched a full educationalpackage for school groups, consisting of a handbook forclass usage, a workbook to be used at the museum, andmodules for fieldwork. It is aimed at helping teachers toprepare à la carte lessons and a visit to the museum. As faras teaching aids are concerned, there is an educational casefor hire, and also in the museum artefacts can be touchedand tried out. For those who still want more, there is the 'Platoon Experience' : 'The Road to Passchendaele'.

REFLECTION

'Reflection' will be the artistic part of the initiatives focusing onthe Battle of Passchendaele. About ten photographers (StephanVanfleteren, Bart Michiels and others) and artists use the subjectof Passchendaele 1917 and Tyne Cot Cemetery as a metaphor toexpress their artistic approach. Chaos, horror, war, death and vio-lence but also the purified, peace, silence and whatever can subli-me passion. 'Reflection' is on from 13 July to 15 November onseveral locations in the centre of Passchendaele. More informati-on: [email protected]


Others I 35

In 2007 a special day offer for schools will be worked out inclose cooperation with the Department 'Moral Assistanceand Remembrance' of the Belgian Veterans Institute. First thepupils will visit the Memorial Museum, where they hear andsee the historical side of the Battle of Passchendaele.Thereafter, they actually put themselves in the shoes of anAustralian soldier, complete with uniform and luggage. Afterbrief instructions they follow the route of the attack on 4October 1917. Soon they physically experience the impactof the rising ground.Along the disused railway Ypres-Roulers,there are also remains of old blockhouses and emplace-ments.The walk ends at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where they takeoff their gear to go and search for the grave of 'their' soldier.On their way genuine army food will be served.This schemeis the only one at the western front!!!

'PLATOON EXPERIENCE' : 'THE ROAD TO PASSCHENDAELE'

No band in Flanders is linked so much to the musicalremembrance of the Great War as 'The Swigshift'. Since theRedmond remembrance in 1997, the war has haunted them.Some members of the group took part in the PassendalePeace Concerts, but their main success came in 2005 withthe overwhelming concert 'From Tipperary to Passchen-daele' in cooperation with the Memorial Museum Passchen-daele 1917.These 'Celts' from Wervik bring a mix of historicalfolk and own compositions. On 9 and 16 February in theYpres Cloth Hall, on 9 June at Wytschaete, on 25 August atZonnebeke and on 10 November at Passchendaele.

THE SWIGSHIFT

MESSINES WALK

After the mine explosions of 7 June, Messineswas taken by New Zealand forces. Up to nowthis is one of the most important events in therich history of this small town. In 1975 Messinesfraternized with Featherston, where a lot ofNew Zealanders came from. On 9 June, 15 July,19 August, 16 September and 6 October, thereare special guided theme walks in the wake ofthe Kiwis. Starting time is always at 9 a.m. at theMessines square.


36 I Others

ALEX DECOTEAU RUN

On 30 October 1917, the Canadian Indian Alex WuttuneeDecoteau died during the assault on Passchendaele. Beforethe war he served in the city police corps of Edmonton. Hewas an excellent runner, winning eighth place in the 5,000metres at the Stockholm Olympic Games in 1912. In recog-nition of the commitment of the native indigenous peoplein the Battle of Passchendaele, Flanders Athletic Club Ypres,in cooperation with the Memorial Museum, will be organi-sing a 'memorial run' on 4 November 2007 through thebattle zone of the Canadian Army Corps. ObviouslyDecoteau's historic 5,000 metres run is on the programme.But one can also for the 10,000 metres. Both recreationaljoggers and more competitive runners are welcome.

OFFICIAL PIN 1917-2007

Since 12 July 2006, an officialpin for the commemorationof the 90th anniversary ofthe Battle of Passchendaelecan be obtained. It costs 3GBP or 4.50 euros.The entireprofits go to the erection ofthe Scottish monument,which is depicted on the pin.

For the memorial year2007, an occasional stampwith day mark will be issuedon 12 July in the MemorialMuseum Passchendaele1917.

STAMP

From 15 to 17 November, the In Flanders Fields Museum andthe Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 are organising a 3days' conference on the Battle of Passchendaele. Internationalexperts go into the issue of the (military) point of the campaignor the lack of it. The conference is held in Ypres, with onSaturday, a visit to Zonnebeke and Passchendaele.

CONFERENCE


From mid September to mid November,the New Zealand poet Glenn Colquhounand photographer Véronique Cornille (withFlemish roots) will visit the area. In theirown unique way they will try to express thestrong bond between the Flemish peopleand the New Zealand soldiers, in word andimage. Also a well-known Flemish poet willbe invited to contribute.The Dutch poemswill be translated into English, and theEnglish ones into Dutch. It will result into aspecial book: 'Kiwis in Flanders: 90 years on,New Zealanders return to Belgium to findthe stories'. Officially it will be published on11 November 2008. On the 12th October2007, a cultural exchange programme willbe set up between a Belgian school and theNew Zealand Nelson College. This eventwill be launched symbolically with the plan-ting of an indigenous tree, supervised byHoromona Horo.This popular Maori musi-cian belongs to the Nga Puhi tribe, many ofwhom died in Flanders serving in the MaoriPioneer Battalion.

KIWIS IN FLANDERS

As an introduction to 2007, three new books on theBattle of Passchendaele will be published.The first onewill be a visitor’s guide to the museum and battlefields,edited by Openbaar Kunstbezit Vlaanderen. In thesecond book, ‘The Road to Passchendaele’, the battle-fields between Zonnebeke and Tyne Cot will be inves-tigated based on the results of archaeological researchon the disused railway and a study about Tyne CotCemetery. The third publication will offer a historicalaccount of the Battle of Passchendaele by means ofstories about those who were killed. Data for thisbook will be provided by the project ‘The Passchen-daele Archives’.

PUBLICATIONS

Others I 37

Nelson Mail New Zealand


38 I Colophon

Colophon

The remembrance 1917-2007is an initiative of:Municipality of ZonnebekeMunicipality of HeuvellandTown of MessinesTown of YpresMemorial Museum Passchendaele 1917

General co-ordination:Franky Bostyn (Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917)

0032 51 770 [email protected] Ieperstraat 5, Zonnebeke 8980

MessinesSteven Reynaert (Culture & Tourism)

0032 (0)57 445 041 [email protected] Markt 1, Mesen 8957

HeuvellandStefaan Decrock (Culture Heuvelland)

0032 (0)57 450 [email protected] Bergstraat 24, Kemmel 8956

ZonnebekeFreddy Declerck (Society Passchendaele 1917)

0032 (0)57 489 402 [email protected] Zonnebekestraat 100, Langemark 8920

IeperPeter Slosse (Ypres Tourism Office)

0032 (0)57 239 [email protected] Markt 34, Ieper 8900


I 39

SocietyPasschendaele 1917

War and Peace in Westhoek

European Fund for Regional Development

With the support of:

WesttoerProvince of West Flanders West Flemish HillsRegional Landscape

The Flemish Minister ofAdministration, Foreign Affairs,

Media and Tourism

Tourism Flanders

Veteran Institute Department Moral Assistance

and Remembrance

Ministry of Defence

National Army Museum (UK)Commonwealth War GravesCommission

Naval Historical Branch (UK)

New Zealand GovernmentAustralian Government Canadian Government

DOVO(Belgian Army bomb disposal squad)

The Flemish Minister of Youth, Sports,

Culture and Brussels


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