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From: "Steve Morse" <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] Ypres
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 20:15:14 -0000
References: <008901c52a46$37ad2aa0$36d12950@oemcomputer>


Hello Derick
At the time of the picture March 1916 - Not a lot was happening by Hill 60
standards.
Trench 43 was in the area of Hill 60.
Trench 38 was near the Ypres-Comines Railway - then going left with Hill 60
in front of you, trenches 39 - in front of Hill 60, 40, 42, 44 and 43. 42,
43 and 44 were around what was called the Zwarteleen Salient. It was
virtually opposite the portion of a German trench called 'The Snout'.
Hill 60 was important because of its height. It was actually the spoil from
the building of the Ypres-Comines railway. Today the Hill is a memorial to
all the men still buried somewhere beneath it. In an area of horrors, hill
60 was particularly horrible. It was always being fought over and both
sides mined all of the time.
The British were preparing for the Somme and tried to keep things as quiet
as possible on the Salient. The Germans carried out a limited attack in
June on the Canadians.
1917 was about the same. Everyone had drawn a halt for the winter. The
British had taken the Hill 60 area during the battle of Messines in June.
The Germans were pushed off the hill and about 1000 yards back.
The Ravine was to the right of Hill 60. It was between The Bluff and The
Dump ! The Ravine was about 100 yards from trench 43 so possibly 'artistic
licence came in. or he drew one from the other.
As one officer said (Lieut CWG Ince, 2/Duke of Wellingtons' - At the time we
sometimes wondered what it was all for, this attack on what was called a
'hill' but which to us at the time was merely a system of muddy trenches
shell-torn ground, and a haunt of death. The place was practically a
cemetery, and hundreds must have been buried on the ground, it proving
impossible, when digging trenches, not to disturb some poor fellow in his
last long sleep). This was written in early 1915.
He may not be on the CWGC as J H but just J or John. A pity he did not
give a Regiment.
Hope that helps
Regards
Steve

Born in Derbyshire and sent to Coventry

all things DRING -
www.dring.org.uk

Great War- Ypres Salient
www.ypressalient.co.uk


People ask me what my religion is.
I tell them, 'My religion is kindness'

A politician is a man who gives your life for his country



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