The Yser and the Belgian Coast - Michelin Illustrated Guides to the Battlefields (1914-1918)

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Title: The Yser and the Belgian Coast - Michelin Illustrated Guides to the Battlefields (1914-1918)
Author: Cie, Michelin &
Language: English
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*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "The Yser and the Belgian Coast - Michelin Illustrated Guides to the Battlefields (1914-1918)" ***

MICHELIN ILLUSTRATED GUIDES
TO THE BATTLEFIELDS (1914-1918)

THE
YSER
AND
THE BELGIAN COAST

MICHELIN & Cie, CLERMONT-FERRAND, FRANCE.
MICHELIN TYRE Co., Ltd., 81, Fulham Road, LONDON, S. W. 3.
MICHELIN TIRE Co., MILLTOWN, N. J., U. S. A.

Michelin gives all profits from the sales of the present guides
to the "Repopulation française" (Alliance Nationale) 10, Rue
Vivienne.--PARIS.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| HOTELS |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Illustration: BRUGES |
| |
| Grand H. et du Comᶜᵉ H. du Panier d'Or |
| |
| H. de Flandre, H. du Sablon, Poste |
| |
| Hôtel de Flandre, 38, rue Nord-du-Sablon. Tel. 19. |
| |
| Grand Hôtel et du Commerce, 39, rue Saint-Jacques. Tel. 114. |
| |
| Hôtel du Sablon, 21, rue Nord-du-Sablon. |
| |
| Hôtel du Panier d'Or, Grand'Place.] |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Illustration: DUNKIRK |
| |
| H. des Arcades. Poste |
| |
| H. du Chapeau-Rouge |
| |
| Hôtel des Arcades, 37, place Jean-Bart, [Illustration: T] |
| Arcades. Tel. 1·89. |
| |
| Hôtel du Chapeau-Rouge, de Flandre, et Grand-Hôtel réunis, 5. |
| rue Saint-Sébastien, Tel. 2·15.] |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Illustration: OSTEND |
| |
| Royal Palace-Hôtel, H. Splendid, H. de la Plage, H. |
| Continental, H. Alberta, H. Kursaal |
| |
| Helvétia-Hôtel, H. Wellington, Poste, H. de la Couronne |
| |
| Royal Palace-Hôtel, Digue de Mer, Tel. 173, 435 et 271. |
| |
| Hôtel Continental, Digue de Mer, 63, & rue de l'Yser. Tel. 154. |
| |
| Splendid-Hôtel, 67, rue Royale & Digue de Mer. Tel. 13. |
| |
| Hôtel de la Plage, 65, Digue de Mer & r. Royale. Tel. 152 et |
| 593. |
| |
| Hôtel Kursaal et Beau-Site, 40, Digue de Mer. Tel. 121. |
| |
| Hôtel de la Couronne, 17, quai de l'Empereur. Tel. 43. |
| |
| Rouget's Hôtel Beau-Séjour, 110-112, boul. Van Iseghem. Tel. |
| 504. |
| |
| Helvétia-Hôtel, 62, Digue de Mer. Tel. 200. |
| |
| Hôtel Wellington, 60, Digue de Mer ☙ ☙ Hôtel Alberta 31, Rampe |
| de Flandre.] |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| POPERINGHE.--Skindles-Hôtel, 43, rue de l'Hôpital. Tel. 24. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| ZEEBRUGGE.--Zeebrugge-Palace. Tel. 6, Heyst. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| IN MEMORY |
| OF THE MICHELIN WORKMEN AND EMPLOYEES WHO DIED GLORIOUSLY |
| FOR THEIR COUNTRY |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

THE
YSER
AND THE
BELGIAN COAST

_Ce n'est qu'un bout de sol dans l'infini du monde...
Ce n'est qu'un bout de sol étroit,
Mais qui renferme encore et sa reine et son roi,
Et l'amour condensé d'un peuple qui les aime...
Dixmude et ses remparts. Nieuport et ses canaux,
Et Furnes, avec sa tour pareille à un flambeau.
Vivent encore ou sont défunts sous la mitraille._

+Émile Verhaeren.+

Compiled and published by:
MICHELIN +ET+ Cⁱᵉ
+Clermont-Ferrand+ (France)

_All rights of translation, adaptation or reproduction (in part
or whole) reserved in all countries._

THE BATTLE OF THE YSER.

+The Race to the Sea.+

In September 1914, after the Battle of the Marne and the German
retreat, the centre and right of the French Armies quickly became fixed
in front of the lines which the enemy had prepared in the rear, and
were then fortifying. While the Allies' right, abutting on the Swiss
frontier, was protected against any turning movement on the part of the
enemy, their left (the 6th Army) was exposed.

The French 6th Army (General Maunoury) held the right bank of the Oise,
north of Compiègne _(See map p. 3)_. The Germans attacked it in force
and attempted their favourite turning movement.

General Joffre parried the manœuvre, and while strengthening the
6th Army, formed a mobile corps on his left wing, strong enough to
withstand the enemy's outflanking movement.

The 2nd Army, consisting of corps brought up from the east, was formed
and placed under the command of General de Castelnau. Preceded and
protected by divisions of cavalry, it gradually extended its front to
the south of Arras.

[Illustration: +King Albert and General Joffre.+]

[Illustration: +Queen Elizabeth in the Belgian Lines, on the Yser+]

The Germans carried out a similar movement, and the opposing armies, in
their attempt to outflank each other, gradually prolonged their front
northwards and approached the sea.

Against the German right wing, which steadily extended itself
northwards, General de Maud'huy's Army deployed from the Somme to La
Bassée, and gave battle in front of Arras.

The Germans attacked furiously and attempted both to crush the Allied
front and continue their turning movement. Six Army Corps and two
Cavalry Corps were thrown against General de Maud'huy's Army but the
latter, reinforced, held its ground.

The command of the Northern Army Group was entrusted to General Foch.

The new chief promptly co-ordinated the dispositions, in view of a
general action.

[Illustration: +The Race to the Sea.+]

The northward movement of the armies became more pronounced. The
cavalry divisions of the Corps commanded by Generals de Mitry and
Conneau advanced towards the Plains of Flanders.

Simultaneously, the British Army was relieved on the Aisne, and drew
nearer to their threatened coast bases, in the region of Saint-Omer. By
October 19, they were completely installed in their new positions from
La Bassée to Ypres, thus prolonging northwards the Army of General de
Maud'huy. Between the British left and the North Sea Coast, there still
remained a gap, crossed from west to east by the roads leading to the
Channel Ports. It was this gap which the Belgian Army, after its escape
from Antwerp, was destined to stop.

[Illustration]

The fall of Antwerp and the Belgian retreat.

To capture Antwerp, the Germans adopted their usual tactics.
Concentrating their powerful siege artillery--which had previously
destroyed the forts of Liége, Namur and Maubeuge--in the sector south
of the Nethe, they effected a breach in the outer line of forts, and
having crossed the Nethe, with a loss of nearly 50,000 men, they
attacked the inner line of forts, so as to be able to bombard and
reduce the town.

After consultation with the French General Staff, it was decided to
abandon the town, in order to save the Belgian Army.

Leaving a small number of troops in the forts, with orders to mask the
evacuation of the town, the Belgian Army, after destroying everything
likely to be of use to the enemy, crossed the Escaut by night,
together with the British forces, which, as early as September, had
been despatched to help in defending the city. These troops withdrew
westward, via St. Nicolas and Ecloo. On October 9, Antwerp capitulated.

To protect the flank of the columns retreating towards Bruges, the
French Marine Brigade, a detachment of Belgian Cavalry and volunteers,
and the British 7th Division took up positions in front of the eastern
outskirts of Ghent.

On October 4, Admiral Ronarc'h who had meanwhile concentrated his
brigade in the entrenched camp of Paris, received orders to transfer
his quarters to Dunkirk. Leaving St. Denis on the 7th, accompanied by
his staff, and closely followed by the Brigade, he reached Dunkirk
in the evening, proceeding thence to Antwerp. On the evening of the
8th, they were met at the railway station of Ghent by General Pau with
orders to defend that town.

The Marines took up positions east of Ghent, and to the north and south
of Melle. Belgian volunteers occupied the bend in the Escaut. These
troops were supported by a group of Belgian artillery belonging to the
4th Mixed Brigade.

The Germans violently attacked in greatly superior numbers along
the Alost-Ghent road, but for forty-eight hours the Marines carried
out their mission of flank-guard. On receiving orders to retreat,
the Franco-Belgian detachment, covered by units of the British 7th
Division, re-crossed the Escaut and fell back towards the Yser, via
Thourout, where the Belgian Army was arriving, closely followed by
detachments of German cavalry.

[Illustration: +Cavalry on the beach at Malo-les-bains.+

_(Note the barbed-wire entanglements.)_]

The Battlefield.

The last strip of unconquered Belgian territory, on which the German
thrust was destined to be broken, forms part of Maritime Flanders _(See
map, p. 6)_.

This vast plain was formerly a sea-gulf, and as late as the 11th
century, was often raided by the "drakkers" of the Scandinavian
pirates. In the Middle-Ages, the gulf gradually filled up with sand.
This vast _polder_ is almost entirely below sea-level at high tide, and
is each day invaded by the waves.

_Water is everywhere: in the air, on the ground, under the
ground._

_It is the land of dampness, the kingdom of water. It rains
three days out of four. The north-west winds, breaking off the
tops of the stunted trees, making them bend as if with age,
carry heavy clouds of cold rain formed in the open sea. As
soon as the rain ceases to fall, thick white mists rise from
the ground, giving a ghost-like appearance to men and things
alike._ (+Le Goffic's+, "Dixmude").

[Illustration: +Line of Defence near Noordschote.+]

[Illustration: +The Battlefield.+]

Water, which oozes up out of the soil, giving a blister-like appearance
to the soft clay covering, is found at a depth of less than three feet.

This water was carefully drained off, under the control of the
Belgian State, by associations of farmers and land-owners ("gardes
wateringues"). Countless ditches and canals ("watergands") skirting
the willow hedges and intersecting the entire plain, carried away this
surplus water.

All the canals and ditches communicate with numerous water-courses,
e.g. the Yperlée, Kemmelbeck, Berteartaart, Vliet and many other
nameless ones, which run between embankments into the Yser.

[Illustration: +The road from Furnes to Ypres, near Westvleteren, in
December 1915.+

_(See page 127.)_]

The Yser, a small coastal river, having its source in French Flanders
empties itself into the sea between two jetties. Its shallow bed,
dredged along the greater part of its course, describes a wide
semi-circle. At its mouth, at Nieuport, the Yser and the canals which
likewise end there, are closed by a series of locks, which shut out the
sea at high tide and prevent it from invading the plain through the
streams and canals.

The few roads and the Nieuport-Dixmude railway run along embankments
seven to ten feet high.

Formerly, flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, tended by grey-coated
shepherds, grazed in this plain. Immense fields of beet and turnips
alternated with the meadows. Hedges, willows, clusters of bending
poplars, and the roofs of the low farmsteads built on little hillocks,
broke the monotony of the landscape. Here, where peace and prosperity
reigned, the inundations and war have left a vast expanse of reeds, in
which the roads, ruined farmhouses and a few broken trees stand out
dismally.

The plain is bounded on the west by a line of wind-formed sand dunes
planted with _oyats_. These dunes extend along the straight unbroken
coast. To the east of Dixmude rises a series of heights, which, marking
the beginning of the solid ground, are continued further east by the
long unbroken crest of Clerken.

South of this crest stretches the Forest of Houthulst, now entirely
devastated by shellfire.

The spongy nature of the soil makes it impossible to excavate to any
depth, nor was there any high ground to mask the defence-works and
batteries of artillery.

Two great embankments: that of the Yser, arc-shaped, and that of the
Nieuport-Dixmude railway, connecting up to the two ends of the former,
were the framework of the defence lines. However, the dominating
element: water, provided the defenders with a supreme and irresistible
arm.

The Opposing Forces.

The right wing of the German IVth Army, under the command of the
Prince of Württemberg, marched via Bruges towards Dunkirk. This newly
formed army was partly composed of young men belonging to the German
aristocracy, volunteers and former students, worked up to frenzied
patriotism by the German victories.

These admirably equipped troops were supported by at least 500 guns of
all calibres, to which was soon added the heavy siege artillery that
had just crushed the forts of Antwerp.

This mass of 160,000 men, drunk with the _furor teutonicus_, pursued
its victorious march on the Channel ports, certain of crushing the
small Belgian Army which had again escaped them at Antwerp, but which
this time was to be annihilated.

Without losing a single gun during their stirring retreat, the Belgian
Army reached the Yser line. In its death-grapple with the invader, it
had been seriously reduced by more than two months of hard fighting.

Minus the greater part of its officers, and reduced to 43,000 rifles,
300 75's and 23 6in. howitzers, its reserves of munitions were barely
sufficient to deliver another battle. There was no hope of new
supplies, as the army was deprived of its arsenals.

The men, with their torn and muddy uniforms, seemed to have reached the
limits of physical endurance, and to be incapable of further prolonged
effort.

It was then that King Albert issued his stirring Order of the Day:

_Soldiers_,

_For two months and more you have been fighting for the most
just of causes: your homes and national independence._

_You have held the enemy's armies, sustained three sieges,
executed several sorties, and successfully carried out a long
retreat through a narrow defile._

_So far, you have been alone in this tremendous struggle. Now
you are at the side of the valiant French and British Armies._

_It is your duty to uphold the reputation of our arms with that
spirit of tenacity and bravery of which you have given so many
proofs. Our national honour is at stake._

_Soldiers_,

_Look on the future with confidence, and fight with courage._

_In whatever positions I place you, look ahead, and consider as
a traitor to the Motherland whoever speaks of retreat, without
the formal order having been given._

_The time has come for us, with the aid of our powerful allies,
to drive the enemy from our dear country, which they invaded
in contempt of their word and of the sacred rights of a free
people._

_(Signed)_ +Albert+.

The supreme battle was about to begin. To hold the enemy's thrust
against Dunkirk and Calais, the Belgian Army, supported by the Allies,
once again resolutely placed itself across his path and barred the way.

From the sea to Zuydschoote (8 km. North of Ypres), the Belgian Army
was at first obliged, with the help of only 6,000 French Marines, to
hold a twenty-two mile front.

[Illustration: _The unequal strength of the opposing forces seemed to
warrant the enemy's expectations of crushing in the Allied front and
breaking through to the Channel ports._]

To defend this wide front, the whole Army was deployed. From the
coast to Dixmude, the 2nd, 1st and 4th Divisions were echeloned,
with units beyond the Yser holding the advance-posts of Lombartzyde,
Mannekensvere, Schoore, Keyem, Beerst and the two bridgeheads of
Nieuport and Schoorbakke.

The bridgehead of Dixmude was held by the brigade of French Marines
and a brigade of the Belgian 3rd Division. South of Dixmude, the 5th
Division, in positions along the canalised portion of the Yperlée,
occupied the region of Boesinghe in liaison, on the right, with
divisions of Brittany Territorials.

The 1st Division of Belgian cavalry operated near the woods of
Houthulst and Roulers, with French Cavalry divisions of General de
Mitry's 2nd Corps, thus protecting the Belgian right.

There remained in reserve only two Brigades of the 3rd Division and 2nd
Cavalry Division to the south-west of Nieuport.

THE BATTLE OF THE YSER.

The fighting in the advance-positions.

The Franco-Belgian troops had hardly taken up their defensive positions
when, on October 15, the guns began to roar in the direction of Dixmude.

On October 16 and 17, strong German reconnoitering parties, supported
by field artillery, came into contact with the Allies' positions.

On the 18th, the enemy hurriedly attempted to crush the defenders,
before reinforcements arrived. After a violent bombardment, a powerful
attack was launched against the Mannekensvere-Schoore-Keyem-Beerst
line, held by units of the Belgian 2nd, 1st and 4th Divisions.

[Illustration]

Assault after assault was beaten off, but finally, after very heavy
losses, fresh enemy masses carried Mannekensvere and Keyem, where they
were held by the volley fire of the Belgian 75's. The defenders of
Mannekensvere withdrew behind the Yser, while those of Keyem (units of
the 1st Division) held their ground on the right bank of the river.
The same night a spirited counter-attack gave them back their lost
positions.

On the 19th, the attacks doubled in fury, the enemy's main effort being
made against the two wings.

Nieuport and the advanced lines of Lombartzyde were violently
bombarded. The Belgian 2nd Division stood firm, and beat off three
German assaults.

On the right wing, the Germans, driven out of Keyem on the previous
day, attacked this village again and also Beerst, further south. Under
a terrific artillery fire, the defenders gave way.

However, the Belgian 5th Division and the French Marines debouching
from Dixmude, captured Vladsloo and Beerst, in spite of considerable
losses. With their left threatened, the enemy's efforts before Keyem
weakened.

This brilliant counter-offensive was held by a new menace. Strong enemy
columns were signalled to the south-east, debouching from Roulers and
marching on Dixmude.

The 5th Division and the Marines fell back upon their original
positions before Dixmude, their retreat bringing about the fall of
Beerst and Keyem, whose defenders withdrew beyond the Yser.

On the 20th the Germans threw themselves against the advanced positions
of Lombartzyde. The defenders were supported by the artillery of the
British monitors, whose guns swept the coastline. To the south-east of
Lombartzyde, Groote-Bamburg Farm was first lost, then reoccupied after
a spirited counter-attack.

The Germans redoubled their costly efforts, and succeeded in getting a
footing in Lombartzyde in the evening, but were unable to debouch.

Only after five days of sanguinary fighting, were the enemy able to
reach the Allies' main line of defences, formed by the Yser and the two
bridgeheads of Nieuport and Dixmude.

The Battle on the Main Line of Defence.

The situation was none the less critical, and the battle waxed more and
more furious. The Yser front was continuously deluged with shells. The
Belgian batteries of 75's were unable to engage the German heavy guns.
None of the villages could be held; Nieuport and Dixmude were in flames.

Supported by the Brigade of French Marines, the remains of the six
Belgian Divisions still defended, single-handed, the twelve-mile front
between St. Jacques-Cappelle and the sea. They were reinforced by the
6th Division near Lampernisse and Pervyse, thus strengthening the
centre.

Against these depleted, exhausted and ill-revictualled troops, crushed
beneath a continuous bombardment, the Germans brought up heavy
reinforcements from Roulers.

The Attack on Dixmude and Nieuport.

[Illustration]

Nieuport and Dixmude formed the bastions of the Allied defences, and
their capture meant the falling of the Yser and the railway lines into
the enemy's hands.

The brunt of the German attack was directed against Dixmude.

The French Marine Brigade and the mixed brigade of the Belgian 3rd
I. D. under the command of Admiral Ronarc'h, were deployed in a
semi-circle, about 500 yards from the outskirts of Dixmude, resting on
the Yser. A second line was established along the canalised river.

On October 20, after an artillery preparation which lasted all the
morning, the enemy made an unsuccessful attack on Dixmude. A fresh
attack the same night was likewise repulsed. Meanwhile the town
continued to burn.

On the 21st, at dawn, the bombardment redoubled in violence. The
Germans attacked again, only to be mown down and repulsed.

In the afternoon, new enemy reinforcements delivered converging attacks
of great violence, combining them with a furious thrust against the
Schoorbakke Pass, situated half-way between Dixmude and Nieuport. At
both points the German rush was broken.

In exasperation, the enemy threw fresh battalions into the battle.
This time the blow was aimed directly at the town itself and the canal
to the south, but the defence remained unshaken. Simultaneously, the
Germans were threatening the entire front, and in particular, the
bridgehead of Nieuport. This town suffered the same fate as Dixmude.

Still the Yser remained impassable. Both Dixmude and Nieuport held out,
and the end of the day registered a fresh enemy check.

The Breach in the Centre of the Line.

After their failure before Nieuport and Dixmude, the enemy made a
surprise attack against the centre, on the night of the 21st.

Between Nieuport and Dixmude, the easterly loop in the Yser at Tervaete
facilitated flank, enfilade and rear firing, and was consequently a
weak point in the defences.

Under cover of darkness, the enemy threw a bridge over the river, near
Tervaete, and effected a crossing. The situation was critical, as if
the front were pierced, the two centres of resistance, Nieuport and
Dixmude, which until then had proved impregnable, would be taken in the
rear.

[Illustration]

In a supreme effort, units of the Belgian 1st Division counter-attacked
furiously, and in spite of terrible losses, held the enemy.
Reinforcements of Grenadiers and Carabiniers succeeded, in a further
attack, in driving back the Germans across the river, and in
reoccupying their positions. However, on the night of the 22nd, the
enemy recaptured Tervaete, but the Belgians remained masters of the
line between the two ends of the loop.

On the 23rd, the situation was still very critical. To fill the gaps
in the fighting line and to "hold out to the last, in spite of all",
in accordance with the orders of the Belgian General Headquarters, the
last reserves were thrown into the battle.

Fortunately, the first French reinforcements,--the famous "Grossetti"
(42nd) Division which General Foch, at Fère-Champenoise, in the centre
of the battle-line at the Marne, had thrown against the flank of the
German columns, thereby turning the scales at the psychological moment
_(See the Michelin Guide: The Marshes of St. Gond--part 2 of The First
Battle of the Marne)_,--arrived at this juncture.

The first units to arrive relieved the exhausted Belgians before
Nieuport. Meanwhile, the bombardment of the town and bridgehead had
reached an incredible degree of violence.

In the centre, the situation was still more serious, the exhausted
remnants of the Belgian 1st and 4th Divisions having reached the limit
of endurance.

The enemy threw ten battalions with machine-guns and artillery into the
loop at Tervaete. The bridgehead of Schoorbakke, attacked from the rear
was captured.

On the 24th, the 83rd Brigade of Grossetti's Division was moved to the
centre, to oppose the German thrust, at the time when the enemy had
just carried the Union Bridge.

Encouraged by the advantage which they had just secured, the Germans
renewed their efforts against Dixmude, where their left wing was being
held in check.

They had already gained a footing on the left bank of the Yser, north
of the town, and were threatening to outflank it from the west.

[Illustration: +General Grossetti, commanding the 42nd Division.+]

A supreme effort was made against the bridgehead, no less than fifteen
assaults being delivered on the 24th.

The fierceness and horror of the struggle were indescribable, the men
grappling with one another in pitch darkness.

However, the German _furor_ spent itself against the heroism of the
Belgian Infantry and French Marines who, for more than a week, remained
in the breach day and night.

Dixmude remained inviolate.

[Illustration: +Pontoon Bridge across the Yser.+]

The Inundations.

October 25 brought a pause in the German thrust, the enemy being
visibly exhausted.

But the Belgian Army also was exhausted; many of their 75's were out
of action through intensive firing; scarcely a hundred shells per gun
remained. Would they be able to hold out against another desperate
assault?

_The General Staff were considering a retreat on Dunkirk--which
would have spelt disaster--when, informed of this by telephone, Foch
hurried to the G. H. Q. where he arrived during a sitting of the War
Council. In despair, the last dispositions for the retreat were being
discussed, when in his simple unaffected way, Foch indicated a line of
resistance and suggested inundating the country. "Inundation formerly
saved Holland, and may well save Belgium. The men will hold out as best
they can until the country is under water"._ (Commandant +Grasset's+,
"Foch").

[Illustration]

To Staff-Captain Nuyten, assisted by Charles Louis Kogge, a
"wateringue" guard of long experience and thoroughly acquainted with
the working of the system of canals and locks, was entrusted the task
of carrying out the plan.

The plain between Dixmude and Nieuport, being level with the sea, is
protected at Nieuport against high water by a system of locks (sketch
opposite). The canals and the Yser are dammed by embankments. The
railway itself runs along a wide straight dike three to six feet in
height.

Under bombardment, Belgian Engineers transformed this railway
embankment into a water-tight dike, by stopping up all the openings
through which the roads passed and then made wide breaches in the
embankments of the drainage-canals, so as to allow the water to spread.
The whole plain, between Nieuport and Dixmude was thus transformed into
a vast basin closed on the Belgian side by the railway embankment, the
latter being at the same time organized as a line of resistance.

Certain locks were secretly opened at high-tide, through which the sea
gradually and imperceptibly invaded the basin.

While the sea was thus preparing to play its all important rôle, a
fresh enemy attack forced the Franco-Belgian troops, on the 26th, to
withdraw behind the railway. Orders were given to hold the latter at
all cost.

Nieuport and Dixmude were still holding out. At Dixmude, two battalions
of Senegalese relieved the most exhausted units of the defenders.

Behind the railway, units of the 42nd Division and a few battalions of
Territorials supported the desperate efforts of the Belgians.

On the 26th and 27th, while the bombardment continued, the water began,
little by little, to invade the trenches of the enemy, who, however,
did not yet realise the position.

On the 28th, the water began to rise and, on the 29th, spread
southwards.

An extremely violent bombardment on the 29th preceded the German
attacks of the 30th, against the railway. Thanks to their
_minenwerfer_, the Germans gained a footing on the railway, and
advanced as far as the villages of Ramscappelle and Pervyse. It was a
critical moment, the main line of resistance being pierced.

[Illustration: +Fortified Embankment at Ramscappelle.+]

The defenders pulled themselves together for a last effort, and after a
violent concentration of artillery fire, counter-attacked.

On the 31st, at nightfall, the 42nd Division and Belgian
units--remnants of battalions belonging to the 6th, 7th and 14th line
regiments--charged furiously with the bayonet, to the sound of the
bugles. The enemy was thrown into disorder, Ramscappelle recaptured,
and the line re-established.

Imperceptibly but relentlessly the floods invaded the enemy's
entrenchments, turning their retreat into a rout; their dead, wounded,
heavy guns, arms and munitions were swallowed up in the huge swamp. The
Battle of the Yser was over.

_The Belgian Army, whose original mission was to hold out for
forty-eight hours, had, with the help of 6,000 French Marines, fought
first single-handed, and then with the support of a single French
Division, continued the struggle until October 31, thus fighting for
fifteen days without interruption._

[Illustration: +The Allies' Supreme Resource: The Inundations.+]

[Illustration: +Belgian Patrols on rafts.+]

_Throughout these 360 hours of deadly strife, the entire Belgian forces
had been in the thick of the battle, without respite. Crouching in
their shallow half-formed trenches, or in the muddy ditches, with no
shelters, ill-fed, and fully exposed to the inclement weather, the
men nevertheless stood firm. In their tattered muddy uniforms, they
scarcely looked human. The number of wounded during the last thirteen
days was more than 9,000, that of the killed and missing over 11,000.
The numbers of sick and exhausted ran into hundreds. The units were
reduced to skeletons. The losses in officers were particularly heavy;
in one regiment only six were left._

_Thanks to the sacrifices stoically borne, the Belgian Army barred
the way to Dunkirk and Calais; the Allies' left wing was not turned,
and the enemy failed to reach the coast, from which they expected to
threaten England in her very vitals._

_For the Germans, the battle ended in total and bloody defeat. For
Belgium the name "Yser", which their gallant king caused to be
embroidered on the flags of his heroic regiments, is that of glorious
victory._ (Comm. Willy +Breton+).

[Illustration: +Building a temporary bridge.+]

[Illustration: +Temporary Bridges across the inundated Plain.+]

The fall of Dixmude.

The useless sacrifices on the Yser did not turn the Germans from their
plans for taking Calais.

They now attempted to pierce the Allied front in the neighbouring
sector, between Dixmude and Ypres, where the 87th Territorials,
42nd Division, (withdrawn from the Yser front), and the 9th Corps
strengthened the defences.

On November 9, the bombardment grew more violent. On the 10th, from
Dixmude to Bixschoote, along the whole of the canalised Yser and the
Yser-Ypres canal, huge masses of enemy troops attacked in deep column
formation.

After prolonged sanguinary street fighting, in which the French Marine
Brigade again distinguished itself, Dixmude succumbed. The Germans
were, however, unable to cross the Yser, and the respective front lines
became fixed on the canal embankments. The battle spread eastwards,
around the salient of Ypres _(See the Michelin Guide: "Ypres and the
Battles of Ypres".)_

[Illustration: +The Cloth Hall at Ypres, in 1919.+

_See the Michelin Guide: "Ypres, and the Battles of Ypres"._]

THE PERIOD OF STATIONARY WARFARE.

_Photos, pp. 19-21._

The front-line became fixed in the partially inundated maritime plain
of Flanders, in the oozy soil of which it was impossible to make
any trenches. The defence-works, _boyaux_, and battery emplacements
consequently took the form of superstructures, strengthened with
piled-up sacks of earth _(photos, pp. 19-21)_.

Being above the ground, these defences were easily marked down by the
German gunners and levelled with each bombardment. Thus the fruit of
weeks of hard work was wiped out again and again.

The ground, soaked with the frequent rains and churned up by the
shells, quickly became a vast quagmire which swallowed up everything.

[Illustration]

During the first winter, all the heavy materials used in the
construction of the shelters, etc., as well as the food and munitions
had to be carried by the men,--combatants, stretcher-bearers and
fatigue parties alike wading knee-deep in the slime.

Little by little, the situation improved. Narrow-gauge railways were
laid down to bring up supplies and munitions to the front lines.
Stronger and more comfortable shelters were built, together with
casemates and concrete observation-posts right up to the front lines.

Nieuport-Ville was connected to Nieuport-Bains by two tunnels through
the dunes, propped, brick-paved and lighted by electricity. Along
the coast were deep lines of barbed wire. Concrete cupolas sheltered
naval guns. Further south, in the dunes, stretched lines of carefully
camouflaged huts, parks, stores and rest camps. In places, along the
Yser, the inundations did not give absolute protection. Isolated farms
built on elevated points and the roads along the dikes rose out of the
water, like so many islets. These fiercely disputed points formed a
line of small posts and advance guards in front of the main line of
resistance, being connected with that along the railway embankment by
long foot-bridges built on piles. The line of resistance followed the
railway, then curved inwards to the left bank of the Yser, finally
passing in front of the town.

This line was strengthened by two other lines which took in
Ramscappelle, Pervyse, Lampernisse and St. Jacques-Cappelle. A second
system of defence-works ran in front of and behind Loo Canal.

The sector of the inundated plain was held throughout by the Belgian
Army. That of the dunes and Nieuport was held in 1914-1915 by the
French Tirailleurs, Zouaves, and dismounted cavalry, grouped under
the command of General de Mitry, and the brigade of Marines; in 1916,
by a division of the 36th Corps (General Hély d'Oissel); in 1917, by
regiments of the British 4th Army (General Rawlinson) which attacked
along the coast in co-operation with British warships.

Finally, the Belgian Army, completely reformed and newly equipped, took
over the entire sector of the Yser, and extended its lines as far as
the outskirts of Ypres.

[Illustration: +General Gillain.+

_Chief of the General Staff of the Belgian Army._]

The enemy front was held by the German Marine Corps and Landwehr units.

For four years, the whole sector in front of the Yser Plain remained
relatively quiet, with occasional daring raids or short bombardments.

Before Dixmude and Nieuport, the operations were more active. The
"Boyau de la Mort", in front of Dixmude, cost the Belgians some losses,
the trench, which ran alongside the Yser, being enfiladed. The enemy's
rifle fire came mostly from the Flour Mill _(photo, p. 124)_, a large
concrete building on the banks of the Yser, which it was difficult to
destroy with the heavy artillery, on account of its proximity to the
Belgian lines (about thirty yards away).

The liveliest part of the sector was that in front of Nieuport.

In 1914-1915, the troops under General de Mitry, and later the French
Marines, succeeded in clearing the town, by capturing the great dune
north of St. Georges and various redoubts on the east.

In 1917, the Germans attacked units of the British 4th Army, which was
then taking up its positions, and recaptured the dunes as far as the
Yser Channel.

[Illustration: +Line of Defence between Nieuport and Lombartzyde+
_(held by the Territorials.)_]

[Illustration: _At top of page:_ +Two German Blockhouses wrecked by
shellfire.+ _Underneath:_ +Line of Defence before Lombartzyde.+ _On
the left (inset):_ +Belgian trench along the Yser, with splinter-proof
Shelters.+ _On the right (upper):_ +Advance boyau on the coast, near
the Grande Dune.+ _On the right (lower):_ +German Temporary Bridge
partly captured during a raid, with chevaux-de-frise separating the
Allied and enemy lines.+]

[Illustration: _At top of page:_ +Donkeys bringing up
supplies.--Machine-gun Dog Teams.+

_In the middle:_ +Building road on piles.--Making a log road.+

_At bottom of page:_ +Isolated Post surrounded by water, and raft used
for revictualling same.--Front-line Post before the inundated plain.+]

THE VICTORY OFFENSIVE.

In 1918, after the fiasco of the enemy's Spring offensives, the
initiative passed into the hands of the Allies. The latter, victorious
on the Marne, Vesle, Aisne and before Compiègne, continued to press
the enemy without respite. The battle spread northwards. On September
28, the "Liberty" Offensive in Flanders began. The group of armies
operating in Flanders under the command of King Albert with General
Degoutte as Major-General, comprised the valiant Belgian Army, the
British 2nd Army, and the French 6th Army.

On the 28th the first two enemy positions, north and east of the Ypres
Salient, were captured. On the 29th, the Belgian 4th Division following
up this success and pivoting east of Dixmude, captured Eessen to the
north and occupied the banks of the Handzaeme Canal _(See p. 120)_.
Dixmude, outflanked on the north, fell.

All the heights of Flanders were now in the Allies' hands. In danger of
being cut off, the Germans began to prepare their withdrawal from the
Belgian Coast on September 28.

[Illustration: +The general situation, when the offensive in Flanders
was launched.+]

After an interruption of several days, owing to bad weather, the
offensive was continued on October 14.

On October 15, Belgian divisions holding the inundated front, from
Dixmude to Nieuport, crossed the Yser in pursuit of the enemy, who
hurriedly retreated to the north-east.

On October 17, the Belgian infantry reached Ostend, while their
cavalry, before the gates of Bruges, heard the belfry chimes joyfully
announce the precipitate departure of the last of the enemy troops. The
Allies' advance had been so rapid that the Germans had not time to set
fire to the city. On the coast, the port of Zeebrugge, together with
huge quantities of stores, fell into the hands of the Belgians.

The whole of the maritime Plain of Flanders was thus liberated. The
exhausted, demoralised enemy were in full retreat.

[Illustration: +The Two Stages in the Flanders Offensive.+]

On November 11, beyond Ghent, the Armistice saved them from the utter
rout into which their defeat was fast degenerating.

A Visit to the Battlefield of the YSER

AND

THE BELGIAN COAST.

[Illustration: +The Itinerary starts from Dunkirk and is divided into
four days.+]

_First day:_
=Dunkirk, Nieuport, Ostend= _(pp. 24-66.)_
_Second day:_
=Ostend, Zeebrugge, Bruges= _(pp. 67-85.)_
_Third day:_
=Bruges= _(pp. 86-111.)_
_Fourth day:_
=Bruges, Dixmude, Poperinghe= _(pp. 112-127.)_

_Poperinghe is the nearest touring centre to Ypres. For the
itineraries between Ypres and Lille, see the Michelin Guide:
="Ypres, and the Battles of Ypres"=._

[Illustration: PLAN OF DUNKIRK.

A. +Church of St-Éloi.+
B. +Belfry.+
D. +Church of John-the-Baptist.+
E. +Chapel of Notre-Dame des Dunes.+
F. +Church of St-Martin.+
H. +Hôtel-de-Ville.+
T. +Theatre.+]

[Illustration]

DUNKIRK.

Origin and Chief Historical Events.

The first mention in history of Dunkirk goes back to the 10th century.
As early as the 12th century, it proved to be an "Apple of Discord"
between the kings of France and the counts of Flanders. Few towns have
had such a stirring history. Ten times besieged, it was taken by Condé
in 1646. Recaptured at a later period by the Spaniards, it was given
back to the French by Turenne, after the battle of the Dunes (1658).
Louis XIV ceded it to his ally Cromwell, but redeemed it from Charles
II of England in 1662.

The Dunkirkian corsairs--most famous among whom was Jean-Bart
(1651-1702)--inflicted such losses on the English, that the Treaties
of Utrecht and Paris (1713 and 1763) provided for the destruction of
the port. In 1793, the town was besieged for the last time. By holding
out for three weeks against 40,000 men under the Duke of York, it
enabled General Houchard to reach Hondschoote, where the English were
decisively defeated. This feat of arms was commemorated by the device:
"_Dunkirk deserved well of the country_, 1793", which was inscribed on
the city's coat-of-arms.

During the Great War of 1914-1918, Dunkirk was an extremely important
revictualling centre for the Allied troops. It also played a great
part in helping to keep the mastery of the North Sea, and as such, was
constantly bombarded by the enemy. It was to reach Dunkirk and Calais,
that the Germans made their furious thrusts at Ypres and on the Yser.
Of all the towns not directly in the front-line, Dunkirk was probably
the one which suffered most. It was bombarded once by Zeppelins,
seventy-seven times by aeroplanes and four times by warships. Lastly,
a 15in. naval gun posted twenty-three miles away, shelled the town at
regular intervals from April 1915 onwards. In all, more than eight
thousand shells fell in the town, killing five hundred people and
wounding over one thousand others. In spite of all, the town maintained
considerable activity throughout the war.

The damaged and destroyed buildings were rapidly cleared away or
repaired. Under bombardment, the shipbuilding-yards turned out three
vessels of 19,000 tons. Munitions of war were also manufactured in
very large quantities. The following _citation_ in the Army Order
of October 17, 1917, which is to be incorporated in the city's
coat-of-arms, was well deserved:

[Illustration: +Quai de la Citadelle struck by a 15in. shell.+]

_Subjected for three years to violent and frequent bombardments,
Dunkirk was able, thanks to the admirable coolness and courage of her
inhabitants, to maintain and develop its economic life in the interests
of National Defence, thereby rendering invaluable service to the Army
and Country. This heroic city is an example to the whole nation._

The Croix de la Légion d'Honneur was conferred on Dunkirk by President
Poincaré on August 11, 1919.

[Illustration: +Building a bomb-proof shelter in front of the
Station.+]

[Illustration: +Protecting the mechanism of the Locks from the Shells.+]

A Visit to Dunkirk.

_Follow the arrows along the streets indicated by thick lines in the
plan below._

_Starting-point: =Place Jean-Bart= in the middle of which is_ a statue
of Jean-Bart (1844) _(photo below)_.

[Illustration: +Statue of Jean-Bart.+]

[Illustration: +Church of St. Éloi.+]

_Take Rue de l'Eglise (Rue Clemenceau) in which, immediately to the
right, stands_ the =Church of St. Éloi= with the =Belfry= opposite.

Built in the 16th century, +St. Éloi Church+ contains a nave flanked
by four side-aisles. The first bays, nearest the façade, having being
pulled down, the belfry--an old watch-tower, which formerly abutted
on the church--is now separated from it by the width of the street.
The façade was rebuilt in 1890. In the interior are a fine +XVIII+th
century pulpit, some old paintings, and the tomb of Jean-Bart _(left
aisle)_ _(photo, p. 29)_. The right aisle was torn open by the shells
_(photo below)_.

[Illustration: +The Belfry, and ruined side aisle of St. Éloi Church.+

_Exterior._ _Interior._]

[Illustration]

The =Belfry=, a large square tower of brick, 190 feet high, was built
in 1440. It contains a peal of bells. From the top, there is a very
fine view.

The entrance is on the rear side of the tower.

_Take Rue des Bassins, opposite the church, and turn to the right along
Rue de La Panne, in which stands_ the +Church of John-the-Baptist+.

[Illustration: +Church of John-the-Baptist.+]

This 18th century church contains some fine paintings. On the altar:
The _Consecration of Dunkirk to the Virgin_ (Elias); in the chancel,
_The Death of Mary the Egyptian_ (G. de Crayer); _The Holy Family_
(Erasme Quellin); _The Holy Family_ (Le Guide); _Jesus crowned with
thorns_ (Van Dyck). In the nave: _Paintings by Elias and de Janssens_.
On the northern side of the church are the cloister and modern chapel
of St. Philomène (shrine).

_Keep along Rue de la Panne; follow Quai des Hollandais, and turn to
the right into Place d'Armes, in which stands_ the =Hôtel-de-Ville=.

[Illustration: +Quai des Hollandais and the Hôtel-de-Ville.+]

The Hôtel-de-Ville was rebuilt in 1896-1901 of brick and stone
(architect, L. Cordonnier). On the first floor are statues of
illustrious Dunkirkians. Just below the roof there is an equestrian
statue of Louis XIV. The tower is 250 feet high.

[Illustration: +Fishing-boat Dock.+ _In the background:_
+Hôtel-de-Ville and Belfry.+]

_Take Rue du Quai, on the left, to the large square in front of the
port, in which is the =Fish-Market (Mynk)=. (See sketch-map, p. 27.)_

The port of Dunkirk.

[Illustration: +General View of Dunkirk and the Docks.+]

One of the busiest fishing and coast-trading ports in France,
Dunkirk is especially important by reason of its import trade. The
raw materials required for the industries of Northern France are
discharged there, whilst iron ore, oil and metals are exported. Since
the beginning of the 19th century Dunkirk has steadily grown and the
fortifications have twice had to be extended (1861-1906). The ruined
industries of the North and the competition of the Rhine may retard
this growth, but the port's natural situation will always ensure a fine
future for it. In 1920, the docks covered an area of about 100 acres,
whilst the total length of the wharves was about six miles.

[Illustration: +Trystram lock.+]

The port consists of a series of parallel docks, i.e., the extended
rear port, the naval dock, the commerce dock, and wet-docks 1, 2, 3, 4,
connected by the Freycinet dock. All these docks lie at right-angles to
the great water-line formed by the grounding port and outer harbour,
into which the channel debouches. Dunkirk also possesses extensive
naval stocks provided with five large dry docks and a launching dock
fifteen acres in extent _(See plan, p. 24.)_

[Illustration: +The Outer Port of Dunkirk and the Channel.+]

_To visit the port, cross the bridges over Citadelle Lock and Western
Lock; turn to the right along the quay, passing behind the wet-docks
and skirting the graving-docks._ On the right, on the other side of the
grounding port, the naval dock-yards come into view. _Cross the bridge
of Trystram Lock, which connects up Freycinet Dock with the channel,
then turn immediately to the right and cross the small bridge opposite
the lighthouse, leaving the latter on the left. Skirt the channel
(about 230 yards long and 27 yards wide), as far as the two booms
which terminate it._ There are several observation-posts and armoured
concrete machine-gun shelters near the lighthouse.

_Return to the square in front of the port and follow the quay, on the
left, as far as Rue Carnot on the right, which leads to the Chapel of
Notre-Dame-des-Dunes. (See itinerary, p. 27)._

This chapel is a favourite pilgrimage. The fisherwomen of Dunkirk made
it the headquarters of their Sisterhood.

[Illustration: +Statue of Victory.+]

_A little further on stands_ the =Statue of Victory= commemorating the
siege of 1793. This monument is the work of Ed. Lormier (1893) and was
erected on the site of the old ramparts.

_Follow the tram-lines to =Malo-les-Bains=_, Dunkirk's beach.

_Return to Rue Carnot and take Rue des Vieux-Remparts on the left to
Place du Theatre, where turn to the left into Rue Benjamin-Morel, in
which stands =The Museum= (photo below.)_

[Illustration: +The Museum.+]

_Take Rue Jean-Bart on the right, behind the theatre, then Rue Thévenet
on the left, leading back to Place Jean-Bart. Cross the latter
diagonally to Rue Alexandre III (see Itinerary, p. 27) which leads to
Place de la République._ Here stands the monument erected to the memory
of the Dunkirkians who fell fighting for their country. _(L. Morice,
1906.)_

_Cross Place de la République, then Place du Palais-de-Justice, turn to
the right along Quai du Port au Bois then cross the bridge on the left
(see Itinerary, p. 27). Take Rue de Paris on the left, in which stands
=St. Martin's Church=._ This modern church, primitive Gothic in style,
is flanked by two towers with spires.

[Illustration: +Church of St. Martin and Rue de Paris.+]

_The tourist leaves Dunkirk by Rue de Paris and Rue des 4-Ecluses,
which prolongs it, to follow the itinerary of the first day._

[Illustration: A VISIT TO THE YSER BATTLEFIELD AND THE BELGIAN COAST.

_First Day:_

DUNKIRK, NIEUPORT AND OSTEND.

_Lunch at +Nieuport+._]

_Leave =Dunkirk= by Rue de Paris, continued by Rue des 4-Ecluses, cross
the Canal de la Cunette (see lower half of itinerary, p. 27, and text,
p. 32), and take the Furnes road (D. 15) which follows the right bank
of the Dunkirk-Furnes Canal._

_At =Rosendael= (2½ kms. on the other side of the canal) stood_ the
Civilian Hospital of Dunkirk, which was shelled several times during
the war.

_On the left, 3 kms. further on, is =Dunes Fort=._

[Illustration: +Hospital at Rosendael bombed by a German aeroplane.+

_The baby in the medallion had one of its hands cut off by a
splinter._]

[Illustration: +Sanatorium at Zuydcoote.+ _(Cliché LL.)_]

_At the first cross-roads (9 kms. from Dunkirk), the tourist may take
the left-hand road to +Zuydcoote+, to see the great +Sanatorium for
children+, on the coast, founded by M. Van Covenberghe._ Converted into
a military hospital, it rendered invaluable service during the War
_(photo above)_.

_To visit, go through =Zuydcoote=, turn to the left, beyond the
level-crossing, then to the right 200 yards further on._

[Illustration]

_Return to D. 15, and follow same on the left. At the first cross-roads
(2 kms.) take G. C. 4 on the right to +Hondschoote+ (12 kms.)_

_Pass through +Ghyvelde+, then at +Les Moeres+ turn to the right, and
on leaving, to the left._

_Beyond the level-crossing, =Hondschoote= is reached. Take Rue de la
Prévôlé on the left, which leads to the Grand' Place._

Hondschoote is a small town of ancient origin, whose population has
greatly decreased since the 16th century. It was there that, on
September 8, 1793 the French, under Houchard, defeated and drove back
the English who were besieging Dunkirk _(engraving below)_.

_On the right of the Square (photos, p. 35) is_ the 17th century
Renaissance Hôtel-de-Ville, _while in the centre stands_ the early 16th
century church, in which are a fine pulpit and organ loft (1755). _Near
by is_ a monument (Darcq) commemorating the victory of 1793.

[Illustration: +The Victory at Hondschoote. (21 Fructidor, Year 1.)+]

[Illustration: +Hondschoote.+

+Hondschoote Church.+

_In front:_ +9in. Mortars+.

_In the medallion:_ +The Pulpit.+]

[Illustration: +Hondschoote. The Hôtel-de-Ville.+]

_Return to D. 15 and follow same to the right; cross the railway
(l.c.); 2 kms. further on is the French Custom-House. The Belgian
Custom-House is 3 kms. further on, near +Adinkerque+._

[Illustration]

_Cross the canal and enter =Adinkerke=._

_Take the street on the left which skirts the churchyard._ Behind
the church is a large Franco-Belgian cemetery, containing the grave
of the Belgian poet Verhaeren. After the Armistice, his remains were
transferred to his native town.

[Illustration: +Verhaeren's Tomb at Adinkerke (1918).+]

_Keep straight on along the La Panne road; 600 yards beyond the
Dunkirk-Furnes railway, a small foot-path on the right leads to_ a
military cemetery. _=La Panne= is next reached (3 kms.)_. This small
seaside resort was one of the least modern places on the coast. _Follow
Avenue de la Mer as far as the dike, to the left of which are_ three
villas which were occupied during the war by King Albert and his staff.

[Illustration: +Reception of President Poincaré by King Albert at the
Royal Villa, La Panne, January 22, 1917.+]

[Illustration: +Villa of the French Mission at La Panne+ _(October
1916.)_]

_Return along Avenue de la Mer to the first street on the left, in
which is_ the Hôpital de l'Océan. _0 km. 800 further on, on the left,
take the street which runs alongside the local railway. At the first
fork, take the left-hand road to =Coxyde= (5 kms. from La Panne.)_ Wire
entanglements and shelters in the Dunes may be seen all along the road.
There is a military cemetery on the left, _O km. 500 before reaching
Coxyde_.

+Coxyde+, like most of the towns on the coast, is divided into the town
proper, situated behind the Dunes, and the Baths on the coast.

_Turn to the left on entering the village._ The road crosses the Dunes,
which are highest at Hoogen-Blekker (105 feet). Vestiges of trenches,
wire entanglements, shelters and gun emplacements are to be seen on
every hand.

_In the Dunes, on the right, is_ an emplacement for naval guns _(Photo
opposite)_. Between this position and the sea is the camp known as that
of Adjutant Lefèvre _(Photo below)_.

_The tourist may go as far as =Coxyde-Bains= (2 kms.) Return to and
cross through Coxyde, keeping straight on to =Furnes= (3½ kms.)_

☙ ☙ ☙

[Illustration: +Concrete Gun Shelter+,

_100 yards east of Coxyde-Bains_.]

[Illustration: +The Camp of Adjutant Lefèvre at Coxyde-Bains.+]

[Illustration:

Hôtel-de-Ville, Palais-de-Justice, Belfry, Church of St-Walburge.

+The Grand'Place, Furnes.+]

FURNES

Furnes (Veurne) is a small town of about 6,000 inhabitants. Of ancient
origin, it was the chief town of the "Veurne Ambacht" castellany, in
the Middle-Ages. By the Treaty of 1715, the Dutch were empowered to
place a garrison there, as a barrier against France.

During the War, Furnes became, after Antwerp and Ostend, the General
Head-Quarters of the Belgian Army for a few months (1914-1915), the
same being subsequently transferred to La Panne. More fortunate
than Dixmude and Nieuport, practically all its public buildings and
monuments escaped uninjured, although parts of the town were seriously
damaged by the bombardments.

On January 28, 1920, President Poincaré, in the presence of King
Albert, fastened the French _Croix de Guerre_ to the town's arms, with
the following citation:

_"During four trying years, in spite of incessant bombardments
by aeroplanes and long-range guns, always set a fine example of
unshakeable faith in the final Victory"._

_Tourists arrive by Rue du Nord which opens out into the Grand' Place_,
the ancient ornamental paving of which is very fine. Around the square
are grouped the principal buildings.

The _=Hôtel-de-Ville= is on the right_.

[Illustration: +Furnes. The Grand'Place.+]

Renaissance in style, it was erected in 1596-1612, from the plans of
Lieven Lukas. The façade has two gables, one of which was preceded by
a graceful _loggia_ which was removed during the war _(Photo, p. 40)_.
The high belfry dates from 1628. _On the ground-floor see:_ the Council
Chamber, with Spanish leather hangings: the College Chamber, with
Utrecht velvet hangings; the Marriage Hall, with a still-life painting
attributed to Snyders _(on the mantelpiece)_. The Great Hall on the
first floor, with Spanish leather hangings, contains several royal
portraits.

[Illustration: _Spanish Officers' Pavilion._ _Rue de l'Est. Meat
Market._ _St-Nicolas' Tower._

+The Grand'Place, Furnes.+]

_Near by is_ the =Palais-de-Justice=, formerly the ancient castellany,
built in 1612-1628 from the plans of Sylvain Boulin. Behind the
Palais-de-Justice is the =Belfry=. The interior, restored in 1894,
comprises several finely decorated rooms: the Waiting-Hall, the Justice
Chamber (17th century), and the old Inquisition Chamber _(on the first
floor)_. The Chapel contains some fine vaulting and a carved wooden
gallery. A number of bronze tablets recording judgments are kept there.

_A narrow street between the Palais-de-Justice and a block of old
houses with ruined gables, of which only mutilated fragments of the
façades remain, leads to the =Church of St. Walburge=._

Of very ancient origin, its reconstruction was begun in the 14th
century. The choir was completed in the 15th century. The nave is
14th century. The church contains magnificent stalls (early 17th
century), wood-work, doors, and pulpit, also a _Descent from the Cross_
attributed to Pourbus. In the sacristy there is a 15th century shrine.
The stalls, organ and altars were removed to a place of safety during
the war. Much of the stained-glass was destroyed.

[Illustration: _St. Nicolas' Tower._ _Spanish Guard House._

+The Grand'Place, Furnes.+]

_At the corner of the Grand' Place and the Rue de l'Est stands_ the
+Pavilion of the Spanish Officers+, built by the Spaniards in the 16th
century as a barracks. Restored at a later date, it now serves as the
Town Library and Archives _(Photos, pp. 39 and 41)_.

[Illustration: +Furnes. The loggia of the Hôtel-de-Ville.+

_(Sept. 4, 1917.)_]

_Opposite is_ the old =Meat Market=, now a theatre, with its fine early
17th century façade.

[Illustration: +Furnes. The Palais-de-Justice (Ancient Castellany).+

_On the left, the Hôtel-de-Ville whose "loggia" (photo above) was taken
down (1918)._]

_At the end of the square, facing the Rue du Nord, is_ the =Old Spanish
Guard House=, an arcaded building of early 17th century construction.
The lateral façade overlooks the Place du Marché-aux-Pommes, in which
stands +St. Nicolas' Church+. Begun in the 14th century, building
was continued in the 15th, and completed in the 16th centuries. The
church, which has a high, unfinished tower suffered little during the
war, although some of the stained-glass was broken.

[Illustration: +The door of the Spanish Officers' Pavilion+ (Sept. 4,
1917).

_In the background:_ _+The Palais-de-Justice+ and +Hôtel-de-Ville+
(photos, p. 40.)_

_In the foreground:_ _+Rue de l'Est+, by which tourists leave Furnes._]

Furnes possesses a number of curious old houses, the most noteworthy
of which are the _+Noble Rose Hostelry+, 11, Rue du Nord, near the
Grand'Place, and the +Pomme d'Or Hostelry+ in the Grand'Place_.

Victor Hugo lived in one of them in August 1837. The "Pomme d'Or" was
used as a residence by the Spanish Officers (16th-17th centuries).
Rebuilt in the 16th century, the "Noble Rose" was restored shortly
before the War; it is now partly destroyed.

Every year, since the 12th century, a famous penitential procession
took place at Furnes on the last Sunday in July, when the "Sodalité
Brotherhood" performed the "Passion Play" in Flemish.

From Furnes to Nieuport.

_Leave Furnes by the Rue de l'Est, and immediately after crossing the
canal, take the Nieuport road, on the left. At =Wulpen= (5 kms.),
cross the canal to go to +Oost-Dunkirk+ (2 kms.)_ Numerous shelters,
trenches, and wire entanglements are to be seen along the road.

[Illustration: +Oost-Dunkirk-Bains.+]

_After crossing the railway (l.c.) turn to the left into
=Oost-Dunkirk=._ Like Coxyde, Oost-Dunkirk comprises the town
proper--situated behind the dunes, on a road which, via Coxyde, linked
up Furnes with Nieuport--and the baths, 2 kms. further north, on the
coast. Both places served as billeting quarters for the French Marines
in 1915. The immense camps of wooden huts were occupied later by the
Zouaves.

[Illustration]

The town was practically destroyed by the bombardments; most of the
houses are in ruins, but the church is still standing.

_To visit the Baths (2 kms.) take the road on the right, beyond the
church,_ noticing the numerous shelters in the dunes. _Coming back from
the dike, take the first road on the left to =Nieuport-Bains= (4 kms.)_
The road crosses a region covered with defence-works, trenches and
wire entanglements, alternating with shelters and battery positions.
The battle zone began there. All vestiges of life and vegetation have
disappeared.

_Before reaching Nieuport-Bains_, a Franco-British cemetery _(photo
below) is seen on the left, and a little further on_, the ruins of the
church, with a cemetery in front.

=Nieuport-Bains=, a small watering-place situated 3 kms. from Nieuport
and 17 kms. from Ostend, was perhaps the prettiest of the Belgian
seaside places. There the dunes rise in places to a height of 100 feet.

As witness the trenches and _boyaux_ which run through the ruins of its
pretty villas and fine hotels, Nieuport-Bains stood in the front line.

[Illustration: +Cemetery at the entrance to Nieuport-Bains.+]

_At the end of the dike the road turns to the right in the direction of
=Nieuport-Ville=. From here the tourist crosses the dunes parallelly
to the sea._ Traversing the zone which formed the first line during
the stabilisation period, the mouth of the Yser, protected by two
wooden piers about three-quarters of a mile long and covered with
sacks of earth, is reached. The Grande Dune, which General de Mitry
attacked in January 1915, is on the right bank of the estuary, opposite
Nieuport-Bains. The polders of Lombartzyde are somewhat to the
south-west _(See p. 53)_.

[Illustration: +The Hotels on the sea-front at Nieuport-Bains.+]

Broken fragments of walls mark the site of the station on the dune.
In front are a derelict engine and train, which have been there since
1914. Near by is the entrance to the covered trench which connected
Nieuport-Ville with Nieuport-Bains; same may be visited.

_Return to the car and take the road to the left towards Nieuport-Ville
(photo below)._

_Proceed to Nieuport (3 kms.) by the road (very rough) running parallel
to the estuary of the Yser, past_ several shelters and artillery
positions. _After crossing the bridge over a small canal, the tourist
comes out on the wharves of Nieuport._ Once an important fishing port,
little remains today of its former prosperity. A few fishing boats
still give some little activity to the place.

[Illustration: +Road leading to the mouth of the Yser.+

_At the end of the dike, leave the car and go on foot, in the
direction of arrow A, along the path leading to the mouth of
the river (photos, p. 44). Return to the car and take the
road to the left (arrow B.) to Nieuport-Ville._]

[Illustration: +Wooden Pier at the mouth of the Yser.+]

[Illustration: _On the right:_

+View, looking towards the sea+.]

[Illustration: _On the left:_

+View looking towards Nieuport+.

_In the foreground:_ _Concrete Shelter and destroyed Wooden Pier._]

[Illustration: _Below:_ _French Trench along the Beach, to the left of
the river mouth. In the background: Nieuport Pier._]

[Illustration]

NIEUPORT.

The small town of Nieuport is of very ancient origin. As early as the
9th century its site was occupied by a castle built by the Counts of
Flanders to defend the coast against the Normans. The burgh, first
known as Santhoven, took the name of Nieuport _(Neoportus)_ after the
inhabitants of Lombaertzyde had migrated there. Situated on the Yser,
the town served as a port for Ypres, and was an important business
centre. It was besieged by the English in 1383 and by the French in
1489.

After a long period of stagnation, the enclosing walls were pulled down
in 1860. However, with laudable respect for the past, the Municipality
saw to it that the charming old-world aspect of the place was carefully
preserved, by severely controlling the plans of all new constructions,
and by prohibiting the use of materials not in harmony with the
buildings already existent.

Nieuport, of which nothing remains but a few scattered ruins, was the
scene of desperate fighting.

With Dixmude, it was one of the two main centres in the Yser defences,
these two towns being, in fact, the bastions of the line of resistance.

Amongst other things, Nieuport possessed an elaborate system of
lock-gates and sluices, by means of which the water in the canals
throughout maritime Flanders was regulated.

It was easier to defend than Dixmude. The canals and water-courses
which united in its port, separated the town from the enemy. It could,
moreover, be more effectively protected by the guns of the Allied Fleet.

In October 1914, the Belgian 2nd Division held the outlying defences at
Lombartzyde and Mannekensvere (east of St. Georges).

On October 19, it was attacked by the German 4th Reserve Division.
Three consecutive attacks against Lombartzyde having failed, the enemy
began to shell Nieuport with their heavy artillery.

Renewing their attacks, the enemy captured Lombartzyde, but were unable
to debouch. Crushed by the bombardment, Nieuport fell into ruins.

From October 18 to 25, in spite of the heavy bombardment, the Belgian
7th Infantry Regiment held the banks of the Yser, to the east, in front
of St. Georges, near the Union Bridge, which the Germans, debouching
from Mannekensvere, tried in vain to carry. The Belgian batteries,
often without cover, stubbornly supported the defenders. On several
occasions, guns were hauled up on the river bank into the infantry
lines, whence their direct hits smashed the farmhouses and German
machine-guns concealed in them.

[Illustration: +Panorama of the ruins of Nieuport, seen from King
Albert's Hôtel.+]

The enemy crossed the Yser at Schoorbakke, outflanking St. Georges from
the south, which had to be evacuated.

Instantly, batteries of the Belgian 5th Brigade, brought up by hand,
opened a rapid fire at short range with high explosive shells upon
St. Georges and the approaches to the canal, where the enemy were
concentrating.

[Illustration: +The Defences of Nieuport+]

Mowed down where they stood, the assailants vainly attempted to debouch
from the village, where piles of their dead lay among the ruins. The
14th Line Regiment, which had meanwhile relieved the 7th, was able to
withdraw in good order.

At nightfall, the batteries were gradually withdrawn behind the railway
whence they helped first to hold, then to force back the German attack
upon Ramscappelle.

The defenders being now exhausted, and the enemy's attack gathering
strength, the Belgian General Staff gave orders to flood the area
between the Yser and the railway embankment. The road to Calais, via
Nieuport, was thus definitely barred to the invaders.

The Germans revenged themselves by bombarding Nieuport, attempting at
the same time to slip along the dunes of Lombartzyde, towards the town,
in order to seize the locks. Before the unflinching resistance of the
defenders supported by the fire of the British and French monitors, the
attack broke down.

[Illustration: +Temporary Foot-bridge across the Yser at Nieuport.+]

[Illustration: +Nieuport, the Grand'Place and the Markets, before the
War.+

_(Photo Nels.)_]

At the beginning of November Lombartzyde, in the northern sector, was
the scene of uninterrupted fighting, with alternating advances and
retreats.

In December a powerful offensive, having for its objective the capture
of the German defences along the Belgian sea-coast, was begun, with
General de Mitry in command of the Nieuport forces.

[Illustration: +Ruins of the Grand'Place in 1919.+ _(See photo above.)_]

On December 16, the French carried the western outskirts of Lombartzyde
in a single rush, and reached the first houses of St. Georges. The
enemy, however, resisted desperately, and progress was slow. By
the end of the month, the Moroccan Brigade succeeded, with great
difficulty, in reaching the Grande Dune. On January 7, the 4th
Regiment of Zouaves scaled the Mamelon Vert. A few days later the
French Marines, who had been relieved in the Steenstraate sector, by
Tirailleurs and dismounted cavalry units of the 2nd Corps, attacked
the Grande Dune and Lombartzyde. After extremely desperate fighting,
entailing heavy losses, the Grande Dune was captured.

[Illustration: +Nieuport. The ruined church.+]

The attack was stayed, and the French clung to the thin strip of land
on the right bank of the Yser.

The bombardment of Nieuport increased in violence. Each morning,
the huge 16½in. shells wrecked the houses and public buildings, and
crushed in the cellars where the defenders had taken shelter. One
after another, the 12th century Church, the Abbey on the Dunes, the
"+Halles+" with their graceful belfry, and the massive Templars' Tower
crashed to the ground.

Meanwhile, the battle continued to rage all around the town.

On May 9, a German attack from Lombartzyde to St. Georges was broken,
and on the following day the French marines carried "W" and Union
Farms, with fine dash, and destroyed the enemy's blockhouses.

[Illustration: +Nieuport. Ruins of the Hôtel-de-Ville.+]

In 1916 (January 24), after a bombardment of more than 20,000 shells,
the Germans attempted to debouch from their positions near the mouth of
the Yser. Repulsed with heavy loss, they once more deluged the unhappy
town with shells.

In 1917, the British prepared their great Spring and Summer offensives,
extending from east of Arras to the region of Ypres, and relieved their
French comrades in the sector stretching from St. Georges to the sea.

They had hardly taken up their positions, when the Germans attacked
(July 10). Thrown back into their trenches before Lombartzyde, the
enemy renewed their attacks with increased violence, and forced back
the British in the direction of Nieuport. The latter managed, however,
to keep a bridgehead at the exit from the town.

Meanwhile, in the Dunes sector, two British Battalions, in spite of
their gallant resistance, were forced back upon the river. Of these,
only four officers and seventy men escaped, by swimming across during
the night.

The Germans on the right bank of the river occupied the Dunes.

The pressure on Nieuport increased, but the Yser remained impassable.

In 1918 (September 28), the great liberating offensive, under the
command of King Albert, was launched in the plains, to the east of
Dixmude, and Ypres. On October 16, the Belgian 5th Division, east of
Nieuport, charged from the famous islets in front of the Yser. The
enemy, badly shaken, retreated, closely followed by the Belgians, who
harried their rear-guards and completely swept the coast to a point
beyond Ostend.

Nieuport, terribly ravaged by four years of the fiercest fighting at
its very gates, was at last delivered.

On January 25, 1920, in the presence of King Albert and the
Burgomaster, President Poincaré conferred the _Croix de Guerre_ with
the following mention on the indomitable city:

_"Martyred City, involved in all the vicissitudes of a desperate
struggle lasting four years, Nieuport maintained intact her faith in
the future, in spite of all her trials._

_Her ruins bear witness to the heroism of her defenders and to the
bravery of her inhabitants."_

[Illustration: +Nieuport. Furnes Canal Lock+ _(Nov. 11, 1915)_

_Inset:_ +Lock-Keeper Geraert, who flooded the Plain+ _(See p. 51.)_]

[Illustration: +The Templars' Tower.+ _Before the War, in November
1915, and in 1919._]

_On reaching the wharves, take the first street on the right, then the
second on the left, to the Grand'Place, in which the Collegiate Church
of Notre-Dame used to stand._

Consecrated in 1163, this Gothic edifice had retained portions of the
original 12th century church. The northern doorway was 15th century,
and the main entrance 16th century. The tower was somewhat massive.
In the interior, a 15th century rood-loft, the high altar (1630), the
17th century stalls (by Desmet), a 15th century pulpit, an ancient
tabernacle (by Jean Aert of Bruges-1733), and several old tombs, were
noteworthy.

Nothing remains of the church but broken fragments of walls and
the ruined belfry. In the surrounding graveyard, among the broken
tombstones, Belgian and French soldiers lie buried. Their graves were
often devastated by the shells.

In the same square stood the 14th-15th century =Cloth-Hall=, whose
belfry was restored in recent times. Only a portion of the façade
remains.

_At the end of the Square, opposite the Markets, take Rue du Marché,
then the first street on the right (Rue Longue). At the corner of these
two streets is_ the =Hôtel-de-Ville= (in ruins) which used to contain
portraits of the kings of Spain and the arch-dukes.

_Continue to the end of Rue Longue, where, on the right, are_ the ruins
of the =Templars' Tower=. The square donjon is all that remains of
a commandery which formerly belonged to the Templars, and which was
destroyed during the siege of 1383. Behind, are vestiges of the ancient
city ramparts.

_Return to the port by the first (very wide) street on the right,
which leads to the Ostend Road Bridge across the Yser. To the right of
the bridge are_ the =Nieuport locks= which served, during the War, to
inundate the surrounding country, being opened at high water and closed
at low water _(see photo, p. 50)_.

[Illustration: +Lombartzyde. Avenue de la Reine, before the War+
_(Photo Nels.)_]

=From Nieuport to Ostend.=

_1½ kms. further on, the tourist reaches the site on which Lombartzyde
used to stand_ (2 kms.); the scarcely visible ruins are now overrun
with grass and weeds. A few huts and a wooden church have recently been
built.

[Illustration]

Lombartzyde (the Lombards' Corner) owed its name and prosperity to
the merchants and bankers, many of them Lombards, who settled there
in the Middle-Ages. The town was, however, soon deserted in favour of
Nieuport. Its large plain church, of no particular interest, contained
a statue of the Virgin, much venerated by the fisher-people, who often
visited it in the summer-time. Lombartzyde, formerly a sea-port, was
later cut off from the sea by the Dunes, and Lombartzyde-Bains--the
seaside portion of the town--grew up there. The steam-trams running
between Nieuport and Ostend may be taken to reach it.

[Illustration: +Lombartzyde. Avenue de la Reine, in 1919.+ _(See photo
above.)_]

[Illustration: +Lombartzyde. Graves and trenches on the site of the
Church (entirely razed).+]

Situated about 1 km. in front of Nieuport, on the right bank,
Lombartzyde was occupied on September 15, 1914, by the advanced posts
of the Belgian 2nd Division.

In danger of being turned, it had to be abandoned on the 20th, at about
3 p.m., together with Groote-Bamburg Farm, likewise situated in front
of Nieuport.

For a short time the town was reoccupied by the French, but finally
remained in German hands. Neither the attack on the Grande-Dune in
December 1914, nor the Belgian advance to the outskirts of the town a
little later, could drive the enemy out.

Groote-Bamburg Farm, formerly belonging to the lay monks, lies to the
east of Lombartzyde; _there is no carriage road, but a foot-path,
starting opposite the church, leads there in 20 minutes_. Of the farm,
nothing remains but a maze of trenches, wire entanglements and concrete
shelters.

_Opposite the church, the old Avenue de la Reine (photos, p. 52) leads
to_ the Dunes, the importance of whose defences will become apparent
_(photo below)_.

[Illustration: +Lombartzyde. The Mamelon Vert.+]

[Illustration: +Road to Westende Bains.+ +ARROW NO. 1:+ _Turning to the
left, tourists leave the main road from Westende to Ostend (See sketch
below.)_]

[Illustration: +ARROW NO. 2:+ _Turn to the right, towards the ruins of
a large hotel._]

[Illustration: +ARROW NO. 3:+ _Take the road to the left, passing near
this hotel._]

_Keep along the road to Westende (1½ kms.), a small village situated on
the road from Nieuport to Ostend; steam-trams run between the latter
towns._

The village was entirely razed, and the site cut up with trenches.

_Westende-Bains is 1 km. further along the coast._

The Germans installed themselves in both places, which accordingly
became targets for the British monitors.

_Beyond Westende-Village, take the rough road on the left (photo
above). Before reaching the ruins of Westende-Bains (2 kms.) (photo
above), turn to the right, then take the left-hand road leading to the
sea dike (photo above), which follow on the right, in the direction of
Ostend._

_Before setting out for Ostend, visit_ the ruins of =Westende-Bains=,
intersected with trenches.

[Illustration: _Road from Westende to Westende-Bains. The arrows
correspond with those on the photos above._]

[Illustration: +Westende-Bains. Machine-Gun Post and Electrified Barbed
Wire.+]

The cellars of the houses were consolidated, and turned into shelters
and battery positions.

All along the dike, and along the whole coast runs a line of
barbed-wire, through which the Germans caused a high-tension electric
current to pass _(photo above)_.

_Follow the dike_, bordered on the right with trenches, numerous
observation-posts and concrete machine-gun shelters.

[Illustration: +Westende-Bains. The sea-front.+ _Among the ruins of the
houses: 88 m/m guns in shelters._]

[Illustration: +Middelkerke-Bains.+ _The Promenade along the dike. On
the left, in the foreground: The Entrance to the Kursaal._

_Below: The Kursaal, used by the Germans as an observation-post._]

+Middelkerke-Bains+ _(3 kms.)_, formerly a small seaside resort, is
next reached. All the hotels and villas are in ruins, their fronts
having been either ripped open by shells or blackened by fires. The
Germans organised powerful defence-works there, in view of Allied air
raids and the possible landing of troops. Observation and signalling
posts, as well as shelters for machine-guns and searchlights are to be
seen all along the dike.

The Kursaal, an isolated building standing in front of the village,
was turned into a blockhouse, facing seawards; same includes two
superimposed observation-posts, a signalling post, and machine-gun
shelters.

_Continue along the dike_, noticing the observation-posts, machine-gun
and small calibre artillery emplacements, _as far as the ="Aachen"
Battery= on the right_.

This is the first of the formidable coast-defence batteries organised
by the Germans. The itinerary takes the tourist to most of these
batteries, all of which were fitted with heavy guns.

They were served by standard or narrow-gauge tracks, some having as
many as three tracks of different gauges.

At the time of the Armistice the Germans blew up a large number of the
shelters, before leaving, and destroyed most of the guns which they had
been unable to evacuate.

They also removed all apparatus from the observation and telemetric
posts.

[Illustration: +Blockhouse of the Aachen Battery+

_(north-east of Middelkerke-Bains.)_]

An enormous blockhouse, situated on the left of the "+Aachen+"
+Battery+, contained an observation-post and the post-of-commandment
of the officer in charge of the firing. Near by, are the four 6in.
armour-protected guns on concrete platforms, with concrete personnel
and ammunition shelters on either side. In front of the battery, near
the beach, were anti-aircraft machine-gun posts.

[Illustration: +General View of the Aachen Battery+ _(north-east of
Middelkerke-Bains.)_]

The "Aachen" Battery was connected by infantry defence-works to the
next or ="Antwerpen" Battery=, situated on top of the dune. The latter
comprised four 4in. guns in armoured turrets, with sand-covered
concrete shelters behind. In front, on the dike, are machine-gun
emplacements.

The _="Beseler" Battery=, next reached_, comprises four 6in. guns on
concrete platforms, with circular armour-plate protection. On each side
two elevated emplacements served as telemetric and observation-posts.

_Further on is_ a large infantry entrenchment, with a shelter on
the dike for the searchlight, and an emplacement on either side for
machine-guns or small calibre artillery.

[Illustration: +One of the Beseler Battery's guns.+]

[Illustration: +One of the Cecilia Battery's guns.+]

[Illustration: +The Cecilia Battery+, _photographed from an aeroplane
at 13,000 feet, in July, 1916_.

☙ ☙ ☙]

_Next comes_ the ="Cecilia" Battery=, similar to the "Beseler" Battery,
except that the guns are longer, and the armour-plate protection
rectangular.

_Having passed_ a series of observation-posts, including that of the
="Tirpitz" Battery=, with its telemetric installation and machine-gun
shelters, _the tourist enters =Mariakerke-Bains= (6 kms.)_, a small
seaside resort in the suburbs of Ostend.

_Follow the tram-lines along Avenue Léopold, separated from the dike by
a row of houses, to =Ostend= (2½ kms.) coming out opposite the entrance
to_ the old +Wellington Fort+.

☙ ☙ ☙

[Illustration: +Observation-Post and Telemetric Station of the Tirpitz
Battery, near Mariakerke-Bains.+ _(See pages 63-64.)_]

OSTEND.

In the 9th century, Ostend, then a hamlet, was situated at the eastern
end _(Oostende)_ of a sand-bar belonging to the powerful St. Bertin
Abbey of St. Omer. Incursions by the Normans and the ravages of the sea
had almost entirely annihilated it when, in the 9th century, Robert le
Frison built a chapel to Our Lady there, around which a new village
grew up. Thanks to the herring fisheries on the Flemish coast--a
flourishing industry in the Middle-Ages, but since abandoned--Ostend
grew and prospered. The construction of defence-works at the end of
the 16th century, by Guillaume-le-Taciturne, conferred on the town
the dangerous honour of becoming the last rampart of the Utrecht
Confederation against the Spaniards of the southern provinces, and
resulted in one of the longest and bloodiest sieges (1601-1603)
recorded in history. This three years' struggle cost one hundred
thousand lives and reduced the town to ruins.

Later, Ostend sustained further destructive sieges, e.g. by the
English, under Marlborough, in 1706; by the French under Marshal
Lowendhal in 1745. Meanwhile, and in the latter part of the 18th
century, various factors helped to restore the town's former
prosperity, i.e. the "Peace of Utrecht" (1713) which closed the
Escaut, thus paralysing Antwerp in favour of Ostend; and the wealthy
"Indian Company" founded there, but broken up ten years later for
political reasons. The "Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle" (1748) having ceded
the town to Austria, Joseph II caused the maritime installations to
be completed, and made it a free port, into which the belligerent
ships put during the American War. This revived prosperity was again
annihilated by revolution and the Napoleonic wars.

In the 19th century, Ostend discovered a new and fruitful source of
wealth in sea-bathing, and eventually developed into one of Europe's
premier seaside resorts.

Under the impulsion of Leopold II, who frequently resided there,
extensive works were carried out in the town and port at the beginning
of the present century. The channel was widened, the jetties rebuilt,
the port enlarged. A monumental bridge, the present maritime station,
and the church of St. Peter and Paul were built. The dike was
prolonged westwards and bordered with luxurious buildings. Parks and
public gardens were laid out. To the east, the Lighthouse Quarter was
transformed, and the Royal Road in the Dunes to Blankenberghe was made.

When, in August 1914, the Germans invaded Belgium, this "queen of
watering-places" offered a strangely moving sight until the middle
of October. British troops disembarked from the transports, marched
in long files through the streets, and encamped in the surroundings.
Refugees from all parts were temporarily housed in the bathing cabins.
"Zeppelins" and "Taubes" completed the terror and panic caused by the
approach of the invaders. The trains were crammed, and the maritime
station crowded with thousands of people seeking to get across to
Britain. The retirement of the Belgian Army along the littoral, after
the fall of Antwerp, marked the end of the season of 1914.

On October 14, the Germans occupied the town, from which the visitors
and part of the inhabitants had fled. Naval defences were organised,
the dike and dunes armed, while the palaces and villas along the dike,
the Kursaal, and other public buildings were occupied by the military
staffs. The town suffered severely from this occupation. British shells
and aeroplane bombs unavoidably increased the damage. The maritime
station, and a number of hotels and private residences in the central
and eastern districts were partly destroyed, while the glazed roof of
the Banqueting Hall of the Kursaal collapsed.

Many public buildings were transformed into Hospitals,
dressing-stations, and even stables. The furniture of the fine villas
along the sea-front was either sent to Germany or burnt as firewood.
The wine-cellars were emptied. Defilements, in accordance with Kultur's
best practice, went hand-in-hand with the destructions. Reconstruction
and cleansing will require much time and work. Yet, true to her past,
Ostend will rise again, more beautiful than ever, from her ruins.

[Illustration: _Itinerary for visiting Ostend (indicated by the thick
lines): The Chalet Royal, Kursaal, Leopold Park, Chaussée de Thourout,
Tirpitz Battery, Rue de Leffingue, Docks, Church of St. Peter and Paul,
Outer Harbour, Wooden Pier, Hôtel-de-Ville, Marie-Henriette Park (on
leaving), Napoleon Fort._]

[Illustration: Ostend Sands.

_Gneisenau Battery, in front of the Royal Palace Hôtel._]

A VISIT TO OSTEND.

_On entering the town, skirt the +Wellington Hippodrome+, in front of
which_ portions of the old Wellington Fort _may still be seen at the
end of the Western Dike. In front of the terrace of the Royal Palace
Hôtel, on the dike, is_ the ="Gneisenau" Battery= armed with 4in. guns
_(photo above)_.

_Take Avenue des Courses to the =Chalet Royal=. Go round the latter by
Rue Courbe._

_Between Avenue des Courses and Rue Courbe opens out, on the right_,
the fine Avenue de la Reine, which connects the dike with the Grand
Parc Marie-Henriette _(see p. 67)_.

[Illustration: +The Sands and Chalet Royal, before the war+ _(Photo
Nels.)_]

[Illustration: +Ostend. The Sea Wall.+

_On the left:_ +The Kursaal+.

_On the right:_ +Concrete Shelter+

_Further on (to the left)_ +The Chalet Royal+

_In the background:_ +Mariakerke+.]

The Chalet Royal.

This _ensemble_ of light constructions occupies a fine dominating
position. Instead of levelling the dune, the side facing the sea was
consolidated with masonry-work.

The opposite side of the hill is laid out with terraced gardens,
through which winds the road leading to the Chalet. The latter
comprises two large pavilions connected by a central gallery.

In the large square, situated in the rear, were collected the bathing
cabins, in which refugees from all parts were sheltered during the
first months of the war.

_Take Rue Royale, Boulevard van Iseghem, then the road on the left
leading up to the dike, near the Kursaal. (Vehicular traffic on the
dike is prohibited from 9 a.m. till midnight.)_

The Sea Wall.

Here the dike is separated by some 150 yards from the line of the
dunes, being bounded on the west by the terrace of the Kursaal, on
the east by a _perré_, rounded off in front of the port jetties. The
effect of this bold promontory, which seems to defy the waves, is most
striking.

The eastern end, on which stands the old lighthouse (now a semaphore
station), was built at the beginning of the 19th century. It is now a
_promenade_ bordered with fine buildings, some eighty yards in length
by thirty in width. The masonry embankment rises thirty feet above the
foundations and is protected by four massive breakwaters.

At low water, only about 200 yards of the beach is uncovered, or about
half as much as at the Western Baths, where the shore forms an angle
immediately to the left.

In front stretches the New Western Dike, set further back than the old
one, and prolonged as far as Mariakerke. The sea-wall at Ostend has
thus a total length of 3½ kms.

The Sands.

Each summer, before the War, the +Western Beach+, with its vast expanse
of golden sands, its countless bathing-machines and coloured tents,
offered, in the bright sunshine and clear air, an extraordinarily
animated and gay scene.

The +Eastern Sands+, at the other end of the dike, in front of the
wooden pier, although less popular, were nevertheless crowded with
bathers during the season.

The Kursaal.

From 1831, when Ostend-Bains was "discovered", until 1875, the Kursaal
stood on the old brick-paved dike. It was a modest construction (now at
Malo-les-Bains) but had, till then, sufficed for the town's needs. In
1875, the new sumptuous Kursaal was begun on its present magnificent
site.

The building, designed by the architects Naert and Lauwereins, covers
with its grounds an area of about three acres. Originally, its
general aspect was somewhat bizarre, and reminded one of a gigantic
turtle basking in front of the sea. The alterations since carried
out at different times, particularly the ceramic ornamentation, has
considerably improved its original appearance.

Its curved façade follows that of the dike, the latter forming solid
foundations. The façade consists of a covered terrace, thirty feet
wide, extending round the central rotunda. The latter, elliptical in
shape, is 200 feet long, 120 feet wide and 75 feet high, and forms an
immense hall capable of holding some 5,000 people. Symphony concerts
are given there.

_Return by the path on the west side and take the broad Avenue Léopold,
opposite, ornamented with gardens, to =Leopold Park= (see plan, p. 60.)_

Leopold Park.

Leopold Park was laid out in former days on the site of the old
fortifications, near the Western Gate, the _glacis_ of the bastions
being used to break the monotony of the level ground.

_After visiting the park, return to Avenue Ch. Janssens, which
separates it from Boulevard Léopold, and take same on the left. In
Place Léopold, take Chaussée de Thourout, on the left, then Rue de
Leffingue as far as the entrance to the ="Tirpitz" Battery=, (photos
below and p. 64), situated on the right some few hundred yards outside
the town._

[Illustration: +The Tirpitz Battery, photographed from Allied
aeroplane, July 31, 1916+]

[Illustration: +General view of the powerful Tirpitz Battery.+

_The background:_ +Ostend.+

_Inset:_ +Breech of one of the Guns.+]

The Tirpitz Battery.

This powerful battery has four 11in. armour-protected guns, mounted
on circular tracks on hollow platforms of masonry about 46 feet in
diameter.

The shelters behind the guns were destroyed. The battery was protected
by trenches and barbed-wire entanglements.

On the left, facing the sea, are screens which masked the fire of the
guns from the land observation-posts. In front of the right-hand gun
was the post of commandment.

The guns of this battery were being built by Krupps in 1914, to the
order of the Belgian Government, for the forts of Antwerp.

_Return to the town by Rue de Leffingue, Rue du Chemin-de-fer, and Quai
du Châtelet; the latter skirts_ the 3rd and 2nd Commercial Docks _and
ends at Place Vanderzweep, near the station (see plan, p. 60_). _Cross
the bridge, on the left, between the 2nd and 1st Docks, then turn to
the right along Quai de l'Empereur._

_The Place du Commerce is next reached, at the end of which stands_ the
+Church of St. Peter and Paul+.

[Illustration: _+Dock No. 2, Church of St. Peter and Paul+ (left) and
the +Station+ (right.)_]

[Illustration: +Ostend. The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.+]

The modern Church of St Peter and Paul stands on the site of a former
church of that name (1717) which was burnt down in 1896, with the
exception of the campanile still standing behind the new building.

At the foot of the new choir is an allegorical group in white marble
(by Fraikin), to the memory of Louis-Marie d'Orléans, first Queen of
the Belgians and wife of Léopold I, who died at Ostend in 1850.

_Opposite the church, facing the port, is_ the =Maritime Station=,
which suffered severely from the aerial bombardments.

The port of Ostend.

[Illustration: +The Maritime Station.+ (Ph. Nels).]

The port of Ostend dates back to the 15th century. In 1445,
Philippe-le-Bon authorised the inhabitants of the town to make an
opening in the dike, in order to construct a fishing harbour. The
latter was situated opposite the present port, i.e. to the west, near
Mariakerke. At the end of the following century it was moved eastwards,
the sea having opened up a passage on that side, in consequence of the
levelling of the dunes for the construction of the fortifications.
However, the maritime installations which, until the end of the last
century, formed the port of Ostend, dated from the time of the Emperor
Joseph II. They were completely transformed and considerably extended
in 1898-1914, the work being almost complete when the war broke out.

[Illustration: +Ostend. Place d'Armes and Hôtel-de-Ville+, _(Photo
Nels.)_]

The new vast outer-harbour communicates with the sea by means of a
wide channel enclosed between two open-work piers. The channel is also
connected by a powerful lock to an immense modern impounding-dock, over
200 acres in extent. The tide supplies the water necessary for flushing
the channel clear of sand.

The landing-stage of the Maritime Station borders on the outer harbour
where the boats plying daily between Ostend and Dover were moored.
Words cannot describe the scenes which took place here during the first
half of October 1914, after the fall of Antwerp. At the approach of the
German armies, panic-stricken crowds of refugees filled the stations
and their approaches to overflowing, in frantic endeavours to get on
board the ships that were to take them to Britain.

_Quai de l'Empereur is prolonged, beyond Place du Commerce, by Quai des
Pêcheurs which skirts the =Minque= (or +Fish Market+) and the =Bassin
des Pêcheurs=._

The Bassin des Pêcheurs (Fishing Dock) is connected with the
outer-harbour, which precedes the channel. Near by is the "=Minque="
(Fish-Market),--a circular building in which the fish is sold by
auction daily, the proceedings being announced by the ringing of a bell.

During the fine season the natives fish mainly along the English and
Dutch shores, but go as far as the entrance to the Channel in the
winter. Their boats are of the trawler type, fitted with conical
drag-nets, the mouths of which, thirty to forty feet wide, are kept
open by cross-stays. The nets are dragged along the bottom of the sea.

_Keeping along the dock-sides, the tourist next reaches the old
lighthouse at the end of the dike. Take Boulevard Van Iseghem on the
left, then Rue de Flandre on the left, in front of the theatre, leading
to the Place d'Armes, in which stands the =Hôtel-de-Ville= (see plan,
p. 60.)_

The Hôtel-de-Ville, built in 1711, and restored later, after
mutilation, occupies the whole of one side of the Place d'Armes, in the
centre of the old city. The long façade was flanked at either end by
high towers, only one of which remains.

_To leave Ostend, for the second day's itinerary
(Ostend-Zeebrugge-Bruges) take Rue de la Chapelle (continuation of Rue
de Flandre) in front of the Hôtel-de-Ville (See, p. 60.)_

_Second Day_

=Ostend Zeebrugge Bruges=

[Illustration: _Itinerary for the Second Day._]

_Leave Ostend by Rue de la Chapelle, which passes in front of the
Hôtel-de-Ville (pp. 60 and 66) and leads to Place Vanderzweep. In this
square, at the end opposite the Bassin du Commerce, take Avenue de Smet
de Naeyer, which leads to the =Parc Marie-Henriette=._

Situated south of the town, between the two railways ending at each of
the two stations, is Marie-Henriette Park, which owing to its great
size, numerous winding alleys, clusters of trees, and artificial
lakes with pleasure boats, was often deservedly called the "Bois de
Boulogne". The long Avenue de la Reine connects it directly with
the Western Dike; on the other hand, it borders on the new maritime
installations.

_Cross the two bridges over the lateral canal, then the railway and
maritime lock; take the first street on the left, which passes over the
Ghent-Ostend canal and the sluice-gates. Take Chaussée du Phare, on the
left, then the first street on the left, opposite Rue Mansveld, to the
=Oyster-Beds=._

[Illustration: +Ostend. The Monumental Bridge. Exit for Zeebrugge.+]

[Illustration: +Panorama of Ostend seen from the old lighthouse.+]

Ostend oysters, of world-wide repute among gourmets, are not natives
of these shores. Gathered from the rocks on the English and Brittany
coasts by the Ostend fishing-boats, they are fattened by a special
process in the Ostend oyster-beds. The latter, situated in the
lighthouse quarter communicate with the outer-harbour. They consist
of reservoirs divided into compartments with planks, in which the
sea-water, renewed every day, deposes its slimy sediment. During the
War, the oyster-beds were closed.

_Taking Chaussée du Phare again on the left (see plan, p. 60), the
tourist reaches the site on which_ the lighthouse used to stand, now a
heap of ruins.

Built in 1859, its round tower, 175 feet high, showed a fixed white
light. Behind is the old Napoleon Fort. Facing the lighthouse, at the
end of the sluice dock, stands the Powder Magazine, a kind of fort
where the Germans had two batteries.

_Tourists may go round the powder magazine by following the dike which
is terminated by the Eastern Wooden Pier._ It was at the end of the
latter that the British sank the "Vindictive" on May 11, 1918.

The Blocking of Ostend Port.

On April 21, the British Admiralty undertook to block up the ports of
Ostend and Zeebrugge.

[Illustration: +British Cruisers "Sirius" and "Brilliant" sunk to the
east of the wooden pier at Ostend, April 22, 1918.+]

Under the command of Commodore Hubert Lynes, the flotilla left Dover at
the same time as the one which was to block up Zeebrugge.

The Ostend flotilla was composed of the cruisers _Sirius_ and
_Brilliant_ (Commodore Godsal), loaded with concrete, which were to be
sunk at the entrance to the port. Destroyers, scouts and motor-boats
were to reconnoitre the way and pick up the crews of the blockading
ships. Lastly, smoke-boats provided a protecting screen of smoke, which
hid the flotilla's movements from the enemy.

When twelve miles from Ostend this flotilla parted company with that
bound for Zeebrugge.

The smoke screen hiding the _Sirius_ and _Brilliant_ was swept away
by a sudden veering of the wind. The enemy's gunfire had extinguished
the lights which were to guide the two cruisers, and the latter thus
ran past the Stroom Bank buoy which should have marked the entrance to
Ostend but which the Germans had displaced. They were therefore sunk to
the east of the stockade.

[Illustration: +The Vindictive+

_undergoing repairs after her return from Zeebrugge, previous to
leaving for Ostend where she was destined to finish her career._]

This operation having proved unsuccessful, it was decided to make a
further attempt, which was again entrusted to Commodore Lynes. This
time the blockading ship was the _Vindictive_ (Captain Godsal), and the
Air Service took part in the enterprise. On the night of May 9, the
weather being favorable, the _Vindictive_ steamed towards a limelight
placed by a motor-boat on the site of the Stroom Bank buoy.

[Illustration: +Napoleon Fort, and the road leading to the Hindenburg
Battery+ _(on the left.)_]

Two motor-scouts torpedoed both ends of the wooden piers, at which
signal the whole of the British artillery opened fire, and was
immediately answered by the German guns. A thick fog soon swallowed up
everything.

The _Vindictive_ had to be led by scouts and, notwithstanding the
death of her commander, and the numerous shells which hit the ship,
Lieutenant Crutchley was able to carry out the manœuvre, swing the
cruiser across the channel, and blow her up. The crew were picked up by
a scout, and the flotilla put back to Dover.

[Illustration: +The Hindenburg Battery, north-east of Ostend.+]

[Illustration: +Observation-Post of Coast Batteries.+

_Upper photo: General View of the Post._

_Near the skyline: one of the two British cruisers sunk during the
first attempt to bottle up Ostend Harbour._

_Middle photo: Exterior View of the Observation-Post._

_Lower photo: Interior View of the Observation-Post._]

[Illustration: _+By-road+ (see arrow) +leading to the Jacobinessen
Battery+._]

The Germans were eventually able to displace the _Vindictive_ and
partly free the passage.

_Return via Chaussée du Phare to Place de l'Ecluse, turn to the left
into Boulevard du Congo, which crosses the new eastern quarter of
Ostend (see plan, p. 60.)_

_Just outside the town, a short distance before reaching the "Hôpital"
(to the left of the road), turn to the left and skirt the left side of
the "Hôpital", as far as the ="Hindenburg" Battery=_, consisting of
four 11in. guns on semi-circular concrete platforms.

In front of this battery is the +Old Napoleon Fort+, which the Germans
turned into a Casino during the war. Some of their mural paintings may
still be seen in the rooms.

_Farther on, is_ the post of commandment of the "Hindenburg" Battery.

_Return to the road and continue in the direction of Blankenberghe._

_Beyond Milestone No. 6, which bears the inscription "Le Coq 5 km. 1",
there is_ an observation-post, _on the left_, with telemetric posts and
machine-gun shelters _(photos, p. 71)_.

On the coast, some distance ahead, may be seen one of the cruisers
which were to have blocked the port of Ostend.

[Illustration: +One of the Deutschland (Jacobinessen) Battery's Guns.+]

[Illustration: _+The "Deutschland" or "Jacobinessen" Battery+; One of
the guns, with shelter for the men and munitions. Below: 1. Breech of
the gun; 2. Electric gear for laying; 3. Munitions Shelter; 4. King
Albert and President Poincaré visiting the Battery._]

_On the road to Blankenberghe, at the point shown by an arrow in
the photo on p. 72, take the road on the right leading to the
="Deutschland" Battery=_, also known as the "Jacobinessen" Battery
_(photos, pp. 72 and 73)_.

This was the most powerful battery on the Belgian coast. Armed with
four 15in. guns, it was used to bombard Dunkirk.

Grouped in pairs, these naval guns, mounted on bridges, were installed
in concrete pits about seventy feet in diameter. The right-hand gun
only was protected with armour.

The gun laying was effected by means of electric motors. Near each gun
immense shelters of reinforced concrete were used to store the shells,
while the large shelter between the two groups was probably the post of
commandment.

Camouflaging of barbed-wire covered with branches of trees may still be
seen hanging above the battery.

The latter was protected by deep lines of barbed wire and infantry
defence-works.

_Return to the Blankenberghe road and pass through the village of =Le
Coq= (Flemish: de Haan.) On the top of the last turretted house on the
right, is_ an observation post, _and opposite, on the top of the dune_,
a searchlight. _On the dike are_ two 3in. anti-aircraft guns, _and in
the surroundings_, numerous shelters. _Further on, to the left, are_ a
lighthouse, _and on the high dune_, an observation-post. _Pass through
+Wenduyne+ (4½ kms.) arriving at the ="Herta" Battery=, on the left of
the road._ This battery comprises four 8in. guns. _A little further on
is the ="Hafen" Battery=_, comprising four 3½in. guns. _=Blankenberghe=
(4 kms.) is reached by going between the Fishing Dock and Impounding
Dock._

Blankenberghe was one of the most popular resorts on the Belgian coast.
_On the dike_, the Kursaal, erected in memory of Lieutenant Lippens and
Sergeant de Bruyne, both natives of Blankenberghe, who were killed in
the Congo in 1893, _and_ the Pier (Promenade) are of interest.

[Illustration: +The Kaiserin Battery, to the east of Blankenberghe.+

_In the background: The houses of Blankenberghe._]

_Follow Avenue Smet de Naeyer as far as the station, then turn left
along Rue de l'Eglise, to the steps leading up to the dike. If it is
not desired to visit the dike, turn to the right along Rue de l'Eglise
and Rue des Pierres, then follow Avenue Jules de Trooz, and turn left
along Avenue du Littoral. There are tram-lines along both avenues.
Tourists who go as far as the dike should take Rue du Casino (on the
right, at the top of Rue de l'Eglise), then Avenue Rogier which joins
up with Avenue du Littoral._

_Beyond Blankenherghe the road is bordered, on the left, with_
fortifications and batteries. _Follow it as far as =Zeebrugge-Plage=
(4½ kms.)_

The following batteries will be passed on the way:

The ="Kaiserin" Battery=, with four 6in. guns; the ="Mittel B"
Battery=, with four 4in. long guns on concrete platforms, adjusted
for firing against aircraft (this battery is on the top of the dune,
with shelters below); the ="Groden" Battery=, comprising four 11in.
howitzers.

Lastly, near the port of Zeebrugge, is the ="Zeppelin" Battery=, of
four 4in. guns. The entrance to it is situated a short distance before
reaching Zeebrugge-Plage.

ZEEBRUGGE.

At Zeebrugge-Plage (Beach), near the Pilots' House, _turn to the left
alongside the railway, to_ the mole which bounds the Port of Zeebrugge
on the west _(photo below, and sketch-map on page 77)_.

The port is situated about ten kilometers from Bruges, with which it is
connected by a ship canal running straight across the littoral plain.

This canal, which is about 230 feet wide and 26 feet deep, is
accessible to large ships. It cost forty-two million francs to
construct. Communication with the roadstead is obtained by means of an
inner-harbour which is provided with locks and sluice-gates.

[Illustration: +Entrance to the Mole at Zeebrugge+ _(See sketch, p.
77.)_

_At the entrance to mole: 6in. guns on concrete platforms. To the
right, at the end of the Mole: German Destroyer sunk by the British
during the blockading operations (photo, p. 78.)_]

The port is protected by a semi-circular jetty or mole which stretches
out into the sea for a distance of about two kilometres; an elevated
side-walk leads to the end of the jetty. The latter, built of blocks of
concrete each weighing three thousand tons, is divided into four parts:
the first, which spans the beach, is solid; the second is of open-work,
to prevent the port becoming choked with sand; the third comprises the
wharves proper, and forms the terminus of a special railway siding; it
is solid and has an elevated walk running along the left hand side; the
fourth, or Lighthouse Jetty, is also solid and acts as a break-water.
This immense undertaking, begun in 1893, was completed ten years later,
and the new port, on which great hopes were set, was solemnly opened,
amid popular rejoicings, by King Leopold.

[Illustration: +The Wharves on the mole beyond the open-work portion of
the latter+

+The Lighthouse Pier seen in the photographs on page 81.+

+The Mole of Zeebrugge.+

_An assemblage of aeroplane photographs taken in 1917._

_On the left, a number of seaplanes are visible. German warships moored
alongside the quay._

=THE BLOCKING OF THE PORT OF ZEEBRUGGE.=

=April 22, 1918.=]

In October 1914, the Germans made a "pirates nest" of the port, which
was consequently attacked unceasingly by British ships and Allied
aeroplanes. The most important of these attacks was that which resulted
in the blocking of the port.

_Motor-cars may go along the mole as far as the end of the wharves. See
text and photographs on pages 80 and 81._

In spite of the enemy's formidable defences around Zeebrugge, the
British determined to block that port, at the same time as Ostend _(See
page 68)_.

[Illustration: +Vice-admiral Keyes.+]

The operations, carefully planned in all details, were extremely
perilous on account of the minefields, the nature of the landing-places
(unmarked by any lights), and the difficulty of finding one's bearings
near a coast where the dunes of varying heights are indistinguishable
one from another. The enterprise was entrusted to Vice-Admiral Keyes,
Commander of the Naval Forces at Dover. The attacking flotilla was
composed as follows:

Three old cruisers the _Iphigenia_ (Lieut. Billyard-Leake), the
_Intrepid_ (Lieut. Stuart Bonham-Carter) and the _Thetis_ (Captain
Sneyd), which, loaded with concrete, were to be sunk in the channel.

The protected cruiser _Vindictive_ (Capt. Carpenter), was armed for
an attack on the mole; sailors and marines were to land, destroy the
guns, drive back the Germans, and create a diversion, thus enabling the
blockading ships to carry out their mission.

Two ferry-boats: the _Iris_ and _Daffodil_, armed for landing
operations; two submarines, loaded with explosives, to attack the mole;
destroyers to defend the flotilla against enemy attacks; launches and
motor-scouts to pick up the crews of destroyed or sunken vessels, and
smoke boats.

[Illustration: +The Attack on Zeebrugge.+

_1. The "Vindictive" alongside the mole, on which the Marines
disembarked._

_2. The "Daffodil" holding the "Vindictive"._

_3. The "Iris" alongside the mole._

_4. The "Thetis" sunk in front of the Channel._

_5. The "Intrepid" and "Iphigenia" sunk in the Channel._

_6. Submarine blown up alongside the open-work pier._

_7. 6in. guns at entrance to mole (photo, p. 75._)

_8. Church and cemetery in which several of the British killed during
the operations were buried (photo, p. 80.)_]

Vice-Admiral Keyes was on board the _Warwick_. All the men were picked
volunteers of tried courage and energy.

The attack, several times postponed owing to the unfavourable weather,
was carried out on April 22, 1918. The flotilla put to sea during the
day. When about twelve miles off Zeebrugge, the boats parted company,
each taking up its assigned position. The _Vindictive_, _Iris_ and
_Daffodil_ advanced behind a smoke screen to within a few cable-lengths
of the mole, when a change of wind dispersed the smoke, leaving them
fully exposed to view. Enemy sirens immediately gave the alarm.
Searchlights, rockets and star-shells lit up the scene, and the air
was immediately filled with the roar of artillery and the crackling of
machine-guns.

Amid bursting shells, and swept by machine-gun fire, the _Vindictive_
succeeded in anchoring alongside the mole, but her deep draught
and the surf prevented her remaining in position, until held by the
_Daffodil_. Most of the eighteen gangways were smashed by the cruiser's
rolling. The _Iris_ was also in difficulties, her grappling irons
being too small to catch hold. Two officers, Capt. Bradford and Lieut.
Hawkins, climbed up the side of the mole and endeavoured to fasten
the grappling irons. Both were killed. A landing was nevertheless
effected, and in spite of heavy losses and the death of Colonel Elliot
and Captain H. C. Halahan, the sailors and marines advanced along the
mole, under very heavy fire, and for an hour destroyed the enemy's
organisations, magazines, sheds, machine-gun posts, etc.

[Illustration: +Zeebrugge. One of the German destroyers sunk by the
British.+ _(See photo, p. 75.)_]

[Illustration: +Zeebrugge. The "Intrepid" and "Iphigenia", sunk in the
Channel.+ _Beyond, in the harbour:_ +the "Thetis"+ _(See sketch, p.
77.)_]

Meanwhile, the blockading cruisers had entered the port and were
steering for the channel, despite the violence of the bombardment.
The _Thetis_ was leading, but her propeller becoming entangled in a
net, she was unable to advance further, and her crew blew her up on
a sandbank in front of the channel. The _Intrepid_, followed by the
_Iphigenia_, reached the channel, placed themselves across it and were
then blown up. The crews were picked up by the motor-boats.

[Illustration: +The funnels of the "Vindictive", on her return from
Zeebrugge.+

_After being summarily repaired, the "Vindictive" accomplished her last
exploit, by bottling up Ostend Harbour on May 11, 1918. (See page 68.)_]

Just at the time when these operations were being completed, Lieutenant
Sandford's submarine succeeded, despite the terrific artillery fire,
in reaching the open-work part of the mole, where she was blown up,
shooting flames to a height of nearly 5,000 feet, and making a breach
over 60 feet wide in the jetty. A motor-boat picked up her crew.

A German torpedo-boat and the _Brussels_ were sunk by motor-launches.
_(The "Brussels" was captured by the Germans on June 24, 1916. Her
commander, Captain Fryatt, was shot on July 27, for having rammed the
German submarine U-33)._

[Illustration: _The open-work portion of the Mole destroyed by the
British submarine, (Lieut. Sandford). Inset: temporary bridge built by
the Germans and destroyed by them before their retreat._]

The _Vindictive's_ siren recalled the landing-party, who succeeded
in bringing back most of their killed and wounded. The flotilla then
weighed anchor and returned to Dover.

The operation had succeeded as well as could be expected. The two
cruisers, although displaced slightly later by the Germans, blocked the
channel, making it impossible for ships of other than light draught to
go through. The _Thetis_ also helped to obstruct the entrance to the
channel.

[Illustration: +British Graves in Zeebrugge Cemetery.+

_The cross bears the following inscription (in German): "Three English
officers, seven English marines, two English sailors, two English
stokers"._]

[Illustration: +The end of the Wharves and the Lighthouse Pier.+

_The upper view is looking from the lighthouse; the lower view takes in
the whole of the roadstead. See photos, pp. 76 and 77._]

[Illustration: +A nest of submarines with their shelters of reinforced
concrete.+

_These were the only shelters, built by the Germans at Zeebrugge, which
they failed to destroy before retreating._]

_Cars can go to the end of the wharves on the mole._ Right and left
of the entrance to the jetty are two 6in. guns on concrete platforms
_(photo, p. 75)_. Next comes the open-work part, repaired by a
temporary bridge built in the first instance by the Germans to replace
that part of the jetty destroyed by Lieut. Sandford's submarine, and
later rebuilt by the Belgians, after the Germans had destroyed it
previous to retreating _(photos, p. 90)_. The tourist now arrives
at the mole, on the right side of which are the wharves with their
sidings, sheds and cranes which were damaged either by air-raids and
the British attack, or by the Germans previous to their retreat. On the
left are concrete shelters which were used by the gunners for storing
shells, etc. During the German occupation, the enemy's torpedo-boats
and submarines were moored alongside the wharves. Along the elevated
side-walk are a battery of four 3½in. guns and a number of 6in., 4in.,
3in. and 1½in. guns. The entrance to the channel, with the sunken
cruisers and the "_Thetis_" stranded in front of them, can clearly be
seen from the side-walk.

[Illustration: +The four guns of the "Friedriechsart" Battery.+]

_Return to the road and before crossing the canal take the road on the
left which leads close to where the "Intrepid" and "Iphigenia" still
lie._ The work of clearing the entrance to the canal has begun.

[Illustration]

_Cross the =Bruges Canal= by the locks, and proceed to =Zeebrugge= (2
kms.)_, an important town which grew up around the port. On the left,
in the cemetery behind the church, are the graves of several of the
British who were killed in the expedition against Zeebrugge _(photo, p.
80)_, and of the aviators who were brought down in the neighbourhood.

[Illustration: +The "Friedriechsart" Battery. One of the guns in
casemate, and shelters.+]

_On leaving Zeebrugge, notice the ="Friedriechsart" Battery=_, on the
right armed with four 6½in. naval guns in closed turrets, turning on
circular rail tracks mounted on concrete platforms. Between the guns
are ammunition shelters connected with the guns by lifts, as on a
battleship. In front are infantry defence-works which extend on both
sides as far as the Bruges and Leopold Canals.

[Illustration: +The "Freya" Battery.+ _On the left: Heyst-sur-Mer. On
the skyline: Zeebrugge Mole._]

_Cross the Léopold Canal; immediately beyond, on the left, is the
="Kanal B" Battery=_, armed with 3½in. guns, and on the right a battery
of 3in. anti-aircraft guns.

[Illustration: _+"Augusta" Battery+ situated between the "Freya"
Battery and Duinbergen, the first houses of which are seen in the
photo. In the inset: One of the battery's guns._]

[Illustration: +Duinbergen.+

_A, B and C: German Observation-Posts on the house-tops. (Seen from the
observation-post on the Dune reached by following the arrow shown in
the lower half of photo)._]

_Continuing along the road, the tourist next reaches =Heyst-sur-Mer=
(2 kms.) skirting the hotels and villas on the dike. Beyond the last
houses of Heyst, on the right, is the ="Freya" Battery=_, armed with
four 8in. protected long-range guns, on circular concrete platforms.
Between the left-hand gun and Heyst are two large ammunition shelters;
the gunners' shelters are behind. This battery is prolonged by the
="Augusta" Battery=, armed with three 6in. guns on concrete platforms.
There is a searchlight on the dike in front of the two batteries.

[Illustration: +Kaiser-Wilhelm II Battery+,

_to the west of Knocke (seen in the upper half of photo). Lower photo:
the entrance to the battery, near the windmill._]

_The road next passes through =Duinbergen= (1½ kms.)_, where the
Germans had observation-posts on the roofs of three houses. _In the
village, turn to the right, at the corner of Pauwers Hôtel (photo, p.
84) coming out behind the square which stretches as far as the dike,
near_ a concrete observation-post, built on the top of a high dune, and
commanding a fine view over the sea _(Photo, p. 84)_.

_Keep along the street in front of the square, going away from the sea;
about 100 yards beyond the tram-lines, turn left towards =Knocke= (2½
kms.)_

_Turn left, before reaching the church, to the mill, near which is_
the entrance to the ="Kaiser Wilhelm II" Battery=. The latter is armed
with four 12in. long range guns, mounted on bridges, and pivoting round
circular tracks in concrete pits, by means of electric motors _(Photos,
p. 84)_.

_If it is desired to go as far as =Knocke-sur-Mer= (1 km.), turn left,
beyond the church, along Boulevard de Lippens._

This is the most northern seaside place on the Belgian coast. Its
church (St. Margaret's) possesses a 15th century tower. During the
war, the Germans transformed several houses on the dike into concrete
shelters.

_Return to Knocke, proceeding thence to =Heyst= along the road
previously taken. Enter +Heyst+ (3 kms.) by the Chaussée de Knocke;
take Rue du Kursaal, on the left, then the Ramscappelle Road, on
the right, bearing left again 400 yards further on. 2½ kms. beyond
=Ramscappelle-lez-Bruges= take the road on the right and cross the
Leopold Canal._

_Go through =Dudzeele= village, to the right of which are_ the remains
of a battery position, _and further along the road,_ several concrete
shelters.

_=Bruges= (18 kms.) is entered by the Chaussée de Dudzeele. Take the
=Fort Lapin=, on the left, then cross the bridges, on the right, to the
=Plaine des Ecluses=._

_Beyond the latter, follow Rempart des Bassins, then, on the left,
Rue du Calvaire, prolonged by Rue St. Claire, Rue St. Georges and Rue
Flamande, coming out at the =Grand'Place= (See plan between pp. 88 and
89.)_

[Illustration: _+Bruges+, seen from Quai du Rosaire. In the
background:_ +The Belfry+. _(See p. 97.)_]

[Illustration: +Bruges. Triumphal Entry of the Belgian Army, with King
Albert and Queen Elizabeth at their head, on October 25, 1918.+]

BRUGES.

Origin and Chief Historical Events.

A burgh and a fortified bridge (whence the name of "Bruges" ("Brugge"))
on the Reye, a brook since absorbed by the canals,--such was the origin
of the town.

In the 9th century Baudouin-Bras-de-fer, first count of Flanders and
vassal of the French King replaced the original establishment with a
fortified castle, around which, in spite of civil discords, quarrels
between the rulers and their turbulent subjects, dissensions between
the vassal and his suzerain, and rebellions by those two powerful
Flemish _communes_--Ghent and Bruges--the town grew and prospered.
These troubles were marked by sanguinary episodes, chief among which
were the "Bruges Matins" (1302) in which thousands of the "Gens du
Lys" _(Leliaerts)_ partisans of France, lost their lives, and shortly
afterwards the famous "Battle of the Golden Spurs", in which the
flower of France's chivalry, lured into the Groeninghe Marshes, was
annihilated by the Flemish pikemen _(clauwaerts)_ led by Breydel the
butcher, and Coninck the draper.

The era which followed this crisis was one of great prosperity for
Bruges, then a vast emporium of European trade, being in close relation
with London, Genoa, Venice, Augsburg and the Hanseatic towns. Wealth
abounded. The rich foreign merchants built sumptuous mansions, several
of which still exist. Bruges attained the height of its prosperity in
the 15th century, under Burgundian rule. Favoured by the long reign
of Philippe-le-Bon, "the Great Duke of the West", the arts, today the
glory of the old city, flourished exceedingly.

Decadence set in, chiefly owing to the retreating of the sea and
the gradual filling up of the creeks and harbours with sand. Trade
steadily declined, whilst in the 16th century, political and religious
troubles hastened the downfall of the city. The population of 200,000
dwindled away to 50,000, and at last the place came to be known as
"Bruges-la-Morte".

[Illustration: +Bruges. The Governor of Flanders and the Burgomaster of
the City welcoming King Albert, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Leopold in
the Grand'Place.+]

Under the Republic and the Empire, the city, under French domination,
became the capital of the Department of the Lys, and later, under Dutch
rule (1815-1830), of Western Flanders. When, later, the kingdom of
Belgium was constituted, it retained this rank.

Since that time, Bruges with her melancholic chimes has remained a
quiet old-world place, the delight of lovers of art, who each year come
to admire her treasures, amid the charm of quaintly picturesque scenery.

The boundaries of the city have remained unchanged since the time when
Bruge's prosperity was at its height. The area of the town being the
same as in the 14th century, it follows that the present-day population
of 50,000--all that remains of the former 200,000 inhabitants--has
plenty of elbow-room. However, the numerous open spaces and gardens in
no way detract from the æsthetic appearance of the place. In shape an
oval, stretching from the south-west to the north-east, the town is
surrounded by ramparts and a wide exterior moat, except on the north
(between the Gates of Ostend and Damme) where they were demolished at
the beginning of the present century, in order to connect up directly
with the new ship canal. Parts of the ramparts have been transformed
into boulevards, promenades and gardens. Of the numerous windmills
which used to form a picturesque girdle round the city, only two,
situated near the Sainte-Croix Gate, remain.

At the beginning of the present century, when the ship-canal from
Bruges to Zeebrugge was opened, the "dead" city made an effort to
revive her ancient prosperity, but the irony of fate willed that the
new port should mainly serve the German invader. On October 13, 1914,
amid the confusion which followed the fall of Antwerp, and whilst the
remains of the Belgian Army were falling back on the Yser, the Germans
entered Bruges, and there established the reign of terror under which
Belgium suffered for four long years. Happily, Bruges, like Ghent and
Brussels, came out of the War practically unscathed.

From October 14, 1914 to October 19, 1918, Bruges was occupied by the
Germans, with Admiral von Schroeder as Military Governor.

Requisitions to the amount of some sixty millions of francs were
levied; the factories were emptied of their machinery, and the
warehouses of their raw materials.

The bombardments did little damage. The maritime quarter, in which were
the Imperial workshops, alone received a number of aeroplane bombs.

[Illustration: +King Albert and Queen Elizabeth leaving the Hôtel
Provincial+ _(October 25, 1918.)_]

It was in this strictly guarded arsenal that the Germans assembled
and repaired their submarines. Armour-protected shelters and
concrete-covered docks for the submarines not on active service,
provided security for the enemy's intense activities. Immense
reservoirs of crude oil furnished the boats with fuel. Before leaving,
the Germans destroyed these works. The floating-docks, drags, cranes,
and port machinery, etc., belonging to Belgium, were wrecked. Sunken
hulls blocked up the channels. Huge quantities of stores, including
girders, reinforced concrete, sand, etc., were left behind on the
wharves.

After stripping the place of everything that could be carried off,
after attempting to sell several captured boats which had been brought
in there, and after blowing up the bridges, the enemy left the town.
Through some mysterious and powerful intervention, the chimes in the
belfry were left untouched, and as the Germans hurriedly departed,
a peal rang out joyously. Flags and banners were taken from their
hiding-places and hung in the streets and squares. "Bruges-the-dead"
became "Bruges-the-living-and joyful".

On October 25, 1918, amid indescribable enthusiasm, and to the strains
of "La Brabançonne" and "La Marseillaise", rung out on the old belfry
chimes, King Albert, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Leopold, accompanied by
the General Staff, General Degoutte and Admiral Ronarc'h, re-entered
the liberated city.

[Illustration: BRUGES]

Third Day.

A VISIT TO BRUGES.

_See Coloured Plan between pp. 88-89._

_To facilitate visiting the city, two excursions are indicated, both of
which start from and return to the Grand'Place._

_In Belgium, the churches are generally closed from noon to 2 p.m.
The chapels, in which the works of art are kept, can be visited
at specified hours, for a small fee. The same applies to the
Hôtel-de-Ville._

_Before starting to visit Bruges, obtain particulars from the Bureau
Officiel de Renseignements, Grand'Place, underneath the Belfry (3
minutes from the station)._

FIRST EXCURSION.

The Grand'Place.

The Grand'Place or Grand Marché is in the centre of the city. The
"Halles" occupy the south side, and the Hôtel du Gouvernement
Provincial and General Post Office the western side. On the northern
side is a row of remarkable gabled houses _(photo below)_, while
to the east, at the corner of the Rue St. Amand, stands the Hôtel
Bouchoute which, in 1839, was surmounted with a metal ball indicating
the meridian line. In the centre is a monument by the sculptor Paul de
Vigne, erected in 1887 to the memory of the famous communists Breydel
and de Coninck.

[Illustration: +Bruges. Ancient houses in the Grand'Place.+]

[Illustration: +General View of Bruges, seen from the top of the
Belfry.+

_A. Ostend; B. Church of St. Jacques; C. Blankenberghe; D. The Theatre;
E. Water-Works of Zeebrugge; F. Zeebrugge Canal; G. Port of Bruges;_

_H. Heyst; I. Duinbergen; J. Church of St. Gilles; K. Knocke._]

The Halles and Belfry.

It is this edifice--an eloquent witness of the city's past grandeur
and symbol of the ancient prosperity of the "Queen of the West"--which
characterises Bruges. The building measures 270 feet in length by
110 feet in width. The low galleries with groined vaulting on the
ground-floor, contain an archæological museum, whilst those on the
first floor are used for exhibition purposes.

[Illustration: +The Belfry.+ _In front:_ +The Statue to Breydel and
Coninck.+]

The Belfry, in the centre of the façade, is 264 feet high, and
comprises two massive, square, superimposed towers, decorated with
pinnacles connected by a balustrade. Above rises a third octagonal
tower supported by flying buttresses. This last story, which contains
the famous peal of bells, was added towards the end of the 15th
century. It was surmounted, first with a spire, and later, after the
spire was burnt, with a triple campanile, destroyed by lightning in
1741. A balustrade now crowns the tower.

The Renaissance statue of the Virgin, on a stem-like ornament over
the main doorway (1819), replaced the original one which was broken
during the Revolution (1793). Above is a _bretèche_, from which public
announcements were made.

[Illustration: +The Cathedral of St. Saviour+

_Rue du Beffroi._]

The "Halles" date from the 12th century, but were enlarged in the
14th, 15th and 16th centuries. _Pass under the vaulted entrance, to
the staircase which leads to the upper stories and tower._ A spiral
stair of 403 steps leads to the upper platform, which commands a very
extensive and impressive view; on the one side, the littoral, with
its watering-places and ports, stretching as far as Flushing; on the
other side, the Flemish plain, with its towns, burghs, and villages.
To the chequered history of this region, a new and far more tragical
page has just been added. The visit to the tower comprises: the first
story, in which is the "Big Ben" dating from 1680, and weighing nearly
six tons; it was taken from Notre-Dame Church and placed there in 1800;
the watchmen's room, and lastly the belfry proper, containing a peal
of forty-six bells, cast in 1743, and rung either by a cylinder or a
key-board. During the German occupation the bells remained dumb.

[Illustration: +The Hôtel du Gouvernement provincial.+]

The Hôtel du Gouvernement Provincial.

This edifice was rebuilt in rich 16th century style (Gothic and
Renaissance combined) after the fire which destroyed the original
building in 1878. It stands on the site of the old "Water Halle" which
was skirted by a canal, now covered in. The German invasion interrupted
the completion of the right wing, at the corner of the Rue Philipstock.
Excavations carried out on this site laid bare the old pillars of the
"Water Halle".

[Illustration]

_Leave the Grand'Place by Rue de la Bride, at the corner of which
is the =Hôtel des Postes= (Post Office). The tourist next reaches
the Place du Bourg, in which are: on the left, the =Prévôté=; on the
right, the =Hôtel-de-Ville=_, between the =Chapel of St. Sang= and the
=Greffe=.

The Prévôté.

The Prévôté, formerly the residence of the Provosts of the Chapter
of St. Donatian, was built in 1664. Its Renaissance façade has been
partially restored. On the _terre-plein_ planted with fine trees, which
adjoins it, stood the ancient Cathedral of St. Donatian, pulled down in
1790. Charles-le-Bon, Count of Flanders, was assassinated there in 1127.

The Hôtel-de-Ville.

This beautiful Gothic structure is ornamented with six storied
corbel-turrets, covered with niches and small statues of the Counts of
Flanders (1376-1389).

[Illustration: +The Hôtel-de-Ville, separated from the "Greffe"+ _(on
the left)_ +by the entrance to the narrow street of the "Ane aveugle"+.]

Badly disfigured during the Revolution, the building was inartistically
restored in 1854, as witness the small replace statues. The
dependencies facing the narrow street "Ane Aveugle", the canal, and
the rear of the Chapel of St. Sang, were either rebuilt or restored in
modern times.

On the ground-floor are a large hall, the Council Chamber, and the
Burgomaster's office. The staircase leads to the _Salle des Echevins_,
which occupies practically the whole length of the story. It was
decorated quite recently by A. de Vriendt with frescoes illustrating
episodes from the history of Bruges. Its magnificent Gothic vaulting is
ornamented with pendent wood-work.

The Chapel of Saint-Sang.

[Illustration: +The Chapel of Saint-Sang.+]

Adjoining the Hôtel-de-Ville, on the right, is the Chapel of Saint-Sang
(Holy-Blood), _(photos opposite and on p. 9)_. This famous name was
given to two superimposed sanctuaries. The lower one (12th century)
with short massive pillars, was dedicated to St. Basil. In the upper
one (15th century), is kept the shrine of the Holy Blood, brought from
Palestine, according to tradition, by Count Thierry d'Alsace, in 1148.
This was the starting-point of the famous procession which, before the
German invasion, used to attract large numbers of people to Bruges each
year, and was in fact a public festival. Inaugurated in 1303, it takes
place on the first Monday following May 3.

[Illustration: +The Chapel of St. Sang.+]

The pretty, Flamboyant, two-storied building of blue stone, containing
the staircase which leads to the upper chapel, dates from 1530. The
chapel is in striking contrast with the massive "crypt" of St. Basil.
The stained-glass windows, representing the Dukes of Burgundy, are
practically copies of the magnificent windows formerly sold by the City
Authorities to a local secondhand dealer for 14 francs each, and which
now adorn an English mansion.

[Illustration: +The Shrine of St. Sang.+]

The shrine of St. Sang was made in 1614-1617 by Jean Crabbe, the Bruges
goldsmith, to replace the one destroyed in 1578. It is a very fine
piece of Renaissance workmanship in different metals studded with gems
_(Photo opposite)_.

The "Greffe".

Built in 1535-1537, the pretty façade was restored, re-gilded and
adorned with statues in 1881-1884 _(Photo, p. 93)_.

The Palais-de-Justice and Palais-du-Franc.

The chief interest of the Palais-de-Justice lies in the ancient
_Chambre Echevinale_ which contains the famous mantelpiece so often
reproduced pictorially, although no image can give an adequate idea
of its richness and splendour _(Photo above)_. In this "poem of
carved wood", the great artist, Lancelot Blondeel, expressed with
wonderful power and wealth of detail the apotheosis of Charles-Quint.
The imperial effigy, forming a central _motif_, stands out boldly
in relief. The other life-size figures which surmount the panels to
the right and left represent: _on one side_, Maximilian of Austria
and Marie of Burgundy; _on the other side_, Ferdinand of Aragon
and Isabella of Castile, ancestors of the Emperor. The mantelpiece
proper is in black marble with a frieze of alabaster representing, in
bas-relief, the story of Susannah. This masterpiece was conceived by
Blondeel and executed by Guyot de Beaugrant.

[Illustration: +Mantelpiece in the Palais-de-Justice.+]

_Leave Place du Bourg by the narrow street "Ane Aveugle", which,
passing under an arcade, runs between the "Greffe" and the
Hôtel-de-Ville, coming out at the "Marché-aux-Poissons"_ (Fish-Market).
Immediately on the left is seen the charming vista of the "Quai des
Marbriers" and "Quai Vert", one of the most deservedly renowned places
in Bruges.

That part of the "Palais du Franc" which was rebuilt in the 16th
century overlooks the canal, with its long row of gables and graceful
turrets (restored in 1880, by P. Buyck).

[Illustration: +Ruelle de l'Ane Aveugle.+]

[Illustration: +Panorama Seen from the Quai du Rosaire.+

_On the left: Church of Notre-Dame and Bridge of St. Jean de
Népomucène. On the right: The Belfry._]

[Illustration: +The Palais-de-Justice and Palais-du-Franc.+

_Seen from the Quai des Marbriers._]

[Illustration: +The Quai du Rosaire.+

_See plan between pp. 88 and 89._]

_Beyond the canal, turn to the right and cross the +Placette des
Tanneurs+ leading to_ the charming +Quai du Rosaire+ and +Le Dyver+.
The Quai du Dyver widens, and is planted with fine old trees. Opposite,
picturesque buildings, nestling amidst foliage, are reflected in
the still water. The lofty spire of Notre-Dame dominates all the
surrounding country. _The Rue Neuve Bridge is next reached_; there the
canal (formerly the river Reye), makes a sharp bend and disappears
under the building facing the bridge. _(Beyond the latter, take
the Rue Gruuthuuse as far as_ a new group of remarkable buildings:
+Notre-Dame Church+, Hôtel Gruuthuuse and +St. John's Hospital+).

The Hôtel Gruuthuuse.

This pretty structure, situated with Notre-Dame Church in a bend of the
Reye, was formerly the house of the malt tax-collector. It was leased
in the 15th century to a certain Grutarius who erected that part of the
building overlooking the Reye, a fine primitive Bruges style gable of
which still remains. The main part of the building, with its façade,
beautiful dormer windows, and a turretted staircase, was erected some
fifty years later by Louis de Gruuthuuse. The house had just been
completed when, in 1471, Gruuthuuse received King Edward IV of England,
who had been driven into exile by Warwick. At the end of the following
century, the family having become extinct, the mansion was purchased
by Philippe II. In 1628, the municipal _mont-de-piété_ was installed
there, where it remained until 1875, in which year the city acquired
the premises to house the collections of the Archæological Museum. The
mansion has been thoroughly restored in modern times.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: +Hôtel Gruuthuuse and North Transept of Notre-Dame
Church.+]

[Illustration: +Church of Notre-Dame.+]

Notre-Dame Church.

[Illustration: +The lofty spire of Notre-Dame Church dominates the
surrounding country. Its reflection is seen in the calm waters of the
"Minnewater" with that of St. Saviour's+ _(on the left)_ +and the
Belfry+ _(on the right)_.]

The church of Notre-Dame with its enormous buttressed tower surmounted
by a crocketted spire, is 400 feet high and with its satellites, St.
Saviour and the Belfry, dominates the entire city and surroundings. It
is said to be the largest brick construction in existence.

[Illustration: +Notre-Dame Church. The Nave.+]

The church is a strange mixture of restorations, additions and
alterations, which have changed its character and destroyed its
harmony. The general style is early Gothic, and reveals its 13th
century origin. Two side-aisles were added to the three original
naves, the first about the middle of the 14th century, and the second
a century later. The façade nearest the hospital, flanked with round
turrets, was badly mutilated. Recent attempts have been made to restore
it, and at the same time to suppress certain unbecoming, extraneous
masonry-work, but through lack of documents, the work was necessarily
carried out in a more or less hypothetical manner. At the foot of the
gigantic tower and in striking contrast with its severe nudity is the
Radial Gothic _Baptistère_, an ancient protruding porch dating from the
15th century, the double arcade of which was walled up to form a chapel
for the font.

In the interior one is struck, on entering, by the work of simple
juxtaposition which added a side-aisle to the original one, by opening
the arcades in the old wall and setting new pillars against the ancient
buttresses. The whole of the interior bears marks of similar treatment.
The vaulting of the naves was reconstructed in the 18th century,
when the present heavy triforium was built. The small arcades which
ornamented the walls were filled in, but portions have recently been
uncovered and restored.

The building is 237 feet long and 165 feet wide. An 18th century
rood-loft surmounted with an organ-case separates the nave from the
choir. Above the organ a triumphal cross (1594) is suspended from the
vaulting. The choir stalls, like the cathedral, bear the arms of the
Knights of the Golden Fleece, in commemoration of the 11th. Chapter
held in Notre-Dame in 1468.

The principal interest of the church lies in the works of art which it
contains: _The Virgin and Child_ by Michael Angelo, and the _Tombs of
the last two Sovereigns of the House of Burgundy: Charles-le-Téméraire
and his daughter Marie, wife of Maximilian of Austria_, whose mausoleum
at Innsbruck, is likewise a marvel.

[Illustration: +The Virgin and Child.+

_By Michael Angelo._]

[Illustration: +Tomb of Charles-le-Téméraire.+]

_The Virgin and Child_ (on the altar of the Holy Sacrament, at the end
of the right nave), was the gift of Jean Mouscroen, the donor of the
altar, who paid a hundred ducats for it to the great sculptor in 1514.
Its origin, which was long disputed, is now definitely established
_(Photo, p. 100)_.

The tombs of Charles-le-Téméraire and Marie of Burgundy, originally
placed in the choir where they worthily contributed to the decoration
of the sanctuary, were later removed to a closed chapel on the right,
formerly the old _Chanterie_--reconstituted in 1812 of the _écoutète_
Pierre Lanchals, who was tortured and beheaded in 1488 by the city
burghers. His tombstone is still to be seen there, but it is the
Burgundian tombs which retain the visitor's attention. Reproductions
of the latter abound, and several European museums (among others,
Cluny, Paris) possess plaster facsimiles. That of Marie is sixty years
earlier than her father's, and is greatly superior both in style and
execution. It is the work of Pierre Beckee of Brussels; the other is
by Junghelinck, a native of Antwerp. The _sarcophagi_ are in black
marble with recumbent life-size statues of gilded copper; on the sides
are the enamelled armorial bearings of the numerous domains belonging
to the House of Burgundy. Philippe-le-Beau dedicated this mausoleum to
his mother, who died at the age of 25 in consequence of a fall from her
horse. Later, the remains of Charles-le-Téméraire, killed at Nancy,
having been taken to Bruges, Philippe II had a tomb built for them on
the lines of the first one. At the time of the Revolution the tombs
were taken to pieces and hidden; the parts were reassembled in 1816,
thanks to a subsidy of 10,000 francs granted by Napoleon.

The church contains many 17th and 18th century pictures, several
remarkable works dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, paintings,
panels and polyptics, among others an _Adoration of the Shepherds_ by
P. Pourbus, a triptych (first chapel on the left of the Ambulatory),
and a _Transfiguration_ triptych, the central panel of which is
attributed to Mistaert (first chapel on the south side-aisle).
Claeyssens, Van Orley, Marc Gheeraerts, Gérard Zeghers _(Adoration
of the Wise Men_ (western wall)) etc.... are likewise represented. In
the Ambulatory, on the left-hand side, is the Gruuthuuse _tribune_ of
carved stone and wood, which used to communicate with the neighbouring
house and was built by Louis de Gruuthuuse in 1472. Several other
tombs are worthy of note, among others, that of _Gérard David_, the
famous painter of _The Unjust Judge_; deceased in 1523, he was buried
near the tower staircase. The Sacristy contains some fine 16th century
sacerdotal ornaments named after Marie of Burgundy.

The Cathedral of St. Saviour.

This church, with its massive tower, rises abruptly on the left. The
cemetery which formerly surrounded it has been transformed into a
public garden surrounded with railings and heavy modern pilasters. The
church was built in 1183-1228 in the fine primitive Gothic style of
the period, on the site of an ancient sanctuary which was destroyed
by fire. Vestiges of its stone foundations are still visible in the
tower. The building was frequently modified in the course of time,
hence an _ensemble_, in which figure the various periods of the Gothic
style: parts of the transept and the choir, 13th century; the naves,
14th century; the chevet and apsidal chapels, 15th and 16th centuries;
the vaulting, rebuilt in 1732; the four pinnacled spires of the tower,
completed in 1875. The principal measurements are as follows:--length:
330 feet; width: 126 feet; width at the transept: 176 feet; height: 96
feet.

[Illustration: +Cathedral of St. Saviour.+]

Like Notre-Dame _(see p. 99)_, St. Saviour's is a typical specimen of
the Flemish churches, as regards its rich furnishings, decoration and
ornaments which form a veritable collection of works of art. Access is
gained through two side doorways.

Polychrome decoration (1874-1875 by J. Bethune) replaced the previous
distemper on the walls, pillars and ribs of the vaulting, itself
believed to hide a former decoration of which no traces remain. A
marble rood-loft of the 17th century decorated with a statue of the
_The Creator_ by Quellin the Younger, and surmounted by an organ-case,
separates the nave from the choir. The latter contains curiously carved
15th century choir-stalls, above which are the armorial bearings of the
Knights of the Golden Fleece, a famous order founded by Philippe-le-Bon
in 1429, and whose 13th chapter was held in the cathedral in 1478.

The numerous paintings by local artists include: _The Martyrdom of St.
Hippolytus_, a polyptych (veiled), attributed to Dierick Boute, in the
third chapel of the ambulatory. On the left of the transept, in the
Chapelle des Cordonniers is the _Tombstone of Burgher Wautier Copman_
(1387), with its wonderful, shrouded figure--the finest tombstone
that the 14th century has left us. Opposite is _another fine stone_,
though inferior in style, i.e. that of Martin de Visch (1453). Various
tablets of brass and bronze in relief, carved wood altar-pieces, tombs
of bishops, the shrine of Charles-le-Bon, etc ..., besides the art
treasures in the _Salle des Marguilliers_ and sacristy, are worthy of
note.

The St. John Hospital.

The broad gateway of this building, with its low vaulting, opens out in
front of Notre-Dame, from which it is separated by Rue St. Catherine.
A little further on, the old entrance, now walled-up, has retained
its small corner columns and double tympanum, the latter containing
a rare specimen of 13th century decorative art, i.e. two high
reliefs depicting: _The Death of the Virgin_ and _The Burial Scene_.
Unfortunately, the entrance has been entirely restored in such a manner
as to take away much of the interest which attached to the mutilated
structure.

[Illustration: +Rue St. Catherine, River Reye, and Hôpital St. Jean.+]

Here the Rue St. Catherine crosses the Reye, in whose waters are
reflected the gloomy walls, pierced with high windows, and the stepped
gables of the hospital, forming one of the most striking sights of old
Bruges _(Photo above)_.

The building dates from the 13th century and contains a number of
_antiques_ together with the names of the donors. Behind the remarkable
old building facing the street, a new hospital was built in 1856 on
the site of the cemetery; fortunately, the uninteresting appearance of
these modern constructions is hidden by the old buildings.

The hospital includes a small museum, in which are kept the famous
works of Hans Memling, classified under the following names: _The
Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine_ (large folding altar-piece), _The
Adoration of the Child Jesus_ (triptych with oak panels), _Sibylle
Sambetha_ (portrait of Mary Moreel, from the Hospital of St. Julien),
_The Virgin with Apple_ (a diptych of the same origin), and lastly,
the famous _Shrine of St. Ursula_, made of wood, with double gables,
about 34 inches high, 36 inches long, and 13 inches wide, bearing
on its sides, framed with archings and separated by small columns,
representations of the six episodes from the Legend of St. Ursula and
the eleven thousand Virgins. _(Photo p. 104.)_

[Illustration: +St. Ursula's Shrine.+]

The two panels of the gables represent the Saint and the Madonna
respectively; 6 medallions, attributed to a pupil of Memling, decorate
the roof.

The six side panels represent the episodes of the legend: 1, _St.
Ursula landing at Cologne_; 2, _Passing through Basle_; 3, _Reception
in Rome_ (the masterpiece of the series); 4, _Return to Basle_; 5, _The
Massacre of the Virgins at Cologne_; 6, _Death of St. Ursula (Photo
opposite)_.

About sixty pictures of great value complete the Hospital Museum,
together with a number of relics and pieces of carving. Most of them
are by unknown masters. Among others, the masterpiece by Van Oost the
Elder, the _Meditating Christian_, is especially worthy of notice. The
hospital contains other curiosities, such as the Chapel, the Dispensary
with its ancient furniture and fittings, and the old patients' ward
with its double vaulted nave.

The Béguinage Convent and the Minnewater

_Follow Rue St. Catherine (continuation of Rue Notre-Dame, beyond
the Hospital), then take Rue de la Vigne (third on the right)
leading to Place de la Vigne. Immediately on the right, behind the
Béguinage Bridge over the Reye, at the end of Minnewater Lock, is_ the
Renaissance porch (1776) of the entrance to the +Béguinage Convent+
_(photo, p. 105 and sketch below)_.

A grassy courtyard shaded with slender elms and bordered by low white
cottages, neat and clean like those of a Dutch village, breathes
monastic calm and peace. The tiny church, dating from the beginning of
the 17th century, was built on the site of the 13th century edifice
(destroyed by fire). The Béguinage was founded by Countess Jeanne of
Constantinople. The northern door is the only remaining vestige of the
former building. In the interior are several paintings and tombs of
Nuns ("Béguines"). Adjoining the house of the Supérieure (Grande Dame),
is a 15th century chapel containing a carved tabernacle, a brass tablet
with a 16th century effigy, and painted vaulting.

[Illustration]

_On the right, at the other side of the bridge is +the Minnewater+
(Photo, p. 105 and sketch opposite)._

The Minnewater was formerly a navigable basin constructed at the point
where the Reye enters the city. The original wooden bridge, flanked
with two towers of masonry, was replaced in 1470 by the present
structure. The eastern tower no longer exists, but the round western
one still stands at the head of the bridge, and commands a charming
view--often reproduced pictorially--of the town, with its towers and
the Béguinage Convent in the foreground.

[Illustration: +Entrance to the Béguinage.+]

_Follow Rue de l'Arsenal, turning left into Rue St. Catherine, at the
corner of which stands the +Musée de Peinture+ (See sketch, p. 104)_.

☙ ☙ ☙

[Illustration: +The Minnewater.+ _In the background:_ +Tower of
Notre-Dame.+]

[Illustration: +Entrance to the Musée de Peinture.+]

The Musée de Peinture.

This Museum contains a collection of early Flemish masterpieces. At the
entrance are two famous paintings by Gérard David (1498): _The Judgment
of Cambyses_ and _The Chastisement of the Unjust Judge_. Next come:
_The Last Judgment_, by Jean Prévost (1525); _The Baptism of Christ_,
a triptych by Gérard David (1507), with portraits of the donor and his
family; _The Virgin and Child_, _St. George_ and _St. Donatian_, with
a fine portrait of the donor, _Canon Van der Paele_, by Jean van Eyck
(1436); a triptych by Memling (1484); _St. Christopher, St. Maurus and
St. Giles_, with a portrait of the donor, W. Moreel, his wife, five
sons and eleven daughters (St. George and John-the-Baptist are depicted
on the folding leaves); _The Last Judgment_, by Van den Coornhuuse, a
master-painter of Bruges; two miniatures, by G. David; two paintings,
by Lancelot Blondeel (1545): _St. Luke_ and _The Legend of St. George_;
also paintings by Pourbus, Clayessens, Claeys, Van Oost and Van Goyen.

_Continue along Rue St. Catherine, taking on the right, Rue
Vieille-de-Gand as far as Place de la Porte de Gand._

The Porte de Gand.

This is one of the city's former seven gates, of which only four
remain. The Ghent Gate, a specimen of the military architecture of the
Middle-Ages, has like the St. Croix Gate _(p. 108)_, retained much of
its mediæval aspect. To the right of the gate are gardens which occupy
part of the ramparts.

[Illustration: +The Porte de Gand.+]

[Illustration: +Quai Vert, seen from the Quai des Dominicains.+]

_Take Rue de la Porte de Gand, opposite the gate, to_ the modern
+Church of Mary-Magdalene+, Gothic in style, situated in front of a
pretty park.

_Take Rue des Ciseaux, which skirts the church on the right, then Rue
des Corroyeurs Noirs, on the left, prolonged by Rue du Cheval._

The latter crosses the Reye at the Quai Vert, which, at this point, is
very pretty _(Photo above)_.

_Turn left, into Rue Haute, and return to the Grand'Place._

Second Excursion.

_Starting from the Grand'Place, by Rue de la Bride, continued beyond
the Place du Bourg by Rue Haute, cross the Pont du Moulin and follow
Rue Longue, at the end of which is the mediæval +Porte St. Croix+
(photo, p. 108.)_ The last two remaining windmills of Bruges are on the
ramparts, to the left.

[Illustration]

_Follow the ramparts to Rue des Carmes, at the corner of which is the
+Local des Archers de St. Sebastien+_ (16th century), with its quaint,
slender tower. Portraits of Members of the Guild are preserved there,
among others, those of Emperor Maximilian and Charles II of England.

_Continue along Rue du Persil which ends at Quai de la Poterie; take
the latter on the left, as far as the +Hospice de la Poterie+._

[Illustration: +Porte de St. Croix, and the Windmills on the Ramparts.+]

La Poterie.

This is both a church and a home for the aged poor. Its gabled façades
were charmingly restored by Ch. Verschelde, chief initiator of the
movement for the renovation of Bruges Architecture, deceased in 1881.

[Illustration: +Choir of the Chapelle de l'Hospice de la Poterie.+]

The polychrome decoration of the interior of the church recalls that of
the Frauenkirch at Nuremberg.

The nave dates from 1358; the choir, marble rood-loft and other
portions are 17th century. The tombs of Nicolas Despars (1597) and Jean
de Beer (1608), and the rich Treasury in the Sacristy are interesting.

The Museum (parlour, refectory, corridors) contains ancient furniture,
ivory carvings, antiquities, rich Flemish tapestries, and a fairly
large collection of pictures.

[Illustration: +Chapel of the Virgin, in the Chapelle de l'Hospice de
la Poterie.+]

The Séminaire.

The Seminary, situated immediately beyond the Poterie, is the old
Abbey of the Dunes, which was reconstructed at Bruges in 1623-1628.
The church, rebuilt in 1775, replaced the original edifice founded
in the 12th century between Furnes and Coxyde, and destroyed by the
Iconoclasts in 1556.

Since the Revolution, it has been successively a hospital, school,
lycée, warehouse, and athenæum. Today it is a diocesan seminary.

The seminary contains a collection of portraits of the bishops and
abbots of Bruges and Ypres, also the famous _Visitation_, by Albert
Dürer, in which that great master displays to the full his exquisite
talent. It is the only piece of sculpture by Dürer in the country.

_Continue along Quai de la Poterie as far as the Pont des Carmes
opposite the street of the same name. Cross the bridge and take Rue de
la Cour de Gand leading to the small Place Memling, in which stand_ a
quaint +STATUE+ of the artist and the ancient +Hôtel des Orientaux+.

_In the continuation of Rue de la Cour de Gand, beyond Place Memling,
is_ one of the two last remaining wood-panelled houses of Bruges.
_+Place Jan van Eyck+ (Photo and sketch, p. 110) is next reached_.

[Illustration]

Here stands the heavy bronze statue of +Jan van Eyck+, the gifted
inventor of oil painting.

In front, is the +Academy or Poortersloge+ (14th century), formerly
the House of the Burghers, then the meeting-place of the White Bear
Company, whose emblem may still be seen in the corner of the building
which overlooks the Rue Espagnole. It is the _Beertje van Loge_, the
oldest "burgher" of Bruges, just as the _Mannekenpis_ is the oldest
"burgher" of Brussels. However, the "Bear of Bruges" is the older of
the two (1417).

[Illustration: +Place Jan Van Eyck.+]

The building was used as an Art Gallery from 1719 to 1898. Since then
it has been entirely rebuilt in the original style, with a slender
tower facing the Rue de l'Outre, and now contains the State Records.

_On the right of the square stands_ the ancient +Tonlieu+, with its
pretty façade, large gable and porch, the whole artistically restored
in 1880. The Municipal Library, comprising some 15,000 volumes, is now
housed there. The collection includes a series of _incunables_ printed
by Colard Mansion of Bruges (15th century), _562 MSS, a collection of
epitaphs, and the +Steinmetz Collection+_ of drawings and engravings.

_Take Rue de l'Académie, facing which, on arriving at the Place
du Theatre, is the +Maison des Génois+_, a souvenir of the great
prosperity of the city during the Burgundian epoch.

The tympanum of the door is decorated with a _St. George and Dragon_.
This ancient warehouse of the rich Italian merchants is now a café.

[Illustration]

_In the middle of the Square is +the Theatre+ and behind it_, the
gloomy +Maison des Tonneliers+.

_Tourists should here take a stroll through the old picturesque streets
of this quarter, especially Rue des Aiguilles and Rue au Beurre, which
lead to +the Church of St. Jacques+._

The Church of St. Jacques.

Irregular in style, this church has a square tower with a pyramidal
roof.

Erected in the 13th century and enlarged in the 15th, it bears the
stamp of both periods. Especially noticeable are the irreparable marks
of restorations carried out in defiance of the principles and character
of the original styles. The church was sacked during the religious
troubles of the 16th century. The most unfortunate alterations were
those carried out at the end of the 17th century. In 1820 a ceiling
was added, cutting off the upper portion of the columns and pillars.
Attempts have since been made to remedy these defects.

The church contains many valuable works of art, the most important of
which is _The Tomb of Ferry de Gros_, treasurer of the Order of the
Golden Fleece, deceased in 1544, and of his two wives, Philippine of
Wiebaut and Catherine of Ailly. It is one of the very few surviving
specimens of 16th century Flemish art, and remained for a long time
in a walled-up chapel used as a store-room. In 1864, the chapel and
tomb were completely restored. The figures are recumbent, on two
superimposed stones, Ferry and his first wife being uppermost. The
other stone is by far the more remarkable of the two. Attempts have
been made to restore the original polychromy of the monument. The tomb
and the Chapel form a very harmonious and decorative whole.

Among the paintings are: on the altar in the Chapel of Souls, a
_reredos_ in three parts. It represents St. Cosmas and St. Damian, and
is considered to be Lancelot Blondeel's greatest masterpiece. In the
same chapel: a _triptych_, by Peter Pourbus (1556), _The Virgin of the
Seven Afflictions_, and a _Resurrection_, by the same painter (1578).
In the south aisle: _The Presentation of the Virgin_, one of the finest
works by Van Oost the Elder (1655). On the altar, in the northern nave:
The _Coronation of the Virgin_ by Albert Cornelis (1520), the only work
of this master, and a fine _Triptych_, by Jan Mostaert (1474-1555).

In the chapels are copper and brass tablets. The carved wood pulpit,
rood-loft and choir-stalls are in decadent Renaissance style (17th
century). Behind the high-altar is a three-storied marble tabernacle,
dating from 1593. The belfry contains some very fine bells, the oldest
of which was cast in 1525.

_On leaving the Church of St. Jacques, the tourist may either turn
left over the bridge and along Rue des Baudets, as far as the +Porte
d'Ostende+ (photo below) or return to the Grand'Place, by Rue St.
Jacques, on the right._

[Illustration: +The Porte d'Ostende.+]

[Illustration]

_Fourth Day._

FROM BRUGES TO POPERINGHE, NEAR YPRES.

_Lunch at Dixmude, but provide luncheon baskets, in case of need._

_Leaving the Grand'Place, =Bruges=, via the Place du Marché-aux Œufs,
take Rue de la Monnaie, on the left, then Rue Nord du Sablon, and
beyond the station and level-crossing, Rue du Maréchal. Go through the
+Porte Maréchale+_ which, like the Ostend Gate, bears traces of its
17th century restoration _(Photo, p. 113)_.

_At the fork, 1 km. further on, take the right-hand road to =St-André=.
Pass through same, then through +Varssenaere+, +Jabbeke+, +Westkerke+
and +Ghistelles+. Beyond Ghistelles (level-crossing), take the
Ostend-Thourout road, on the left. Pass through =Moerdijck= (24½ kms.),
and on reaching the hamlet of +Halve-Barreel+, turn to the right._

_At the first group of houses turn to the right, then to the left at
the first fork. At the first house of the hamlet of +Leugenboom+ (3½
kms.), take the foot-path on the right, from which, 150 yards to the
left, can be seen the =Pommern= or =Leugenboom Battery=_, at the edge
of the wood. This battery comprises a 15in. long range gun, which did
most of the bombarding of Dunkirk. The gun, protected by armour, is
mounted on a steel bridge having a pivot in front, the rear part of the
gun travelling along a circular rail-track in a concrete pit nearly 70
feet in diameter. The gun was manœuvred by means of electric motors.
On either side are large shelters in reinforced concrete. In front of
and below the platform there was an electric generator group. A large
shelter of reinforced concrete, on the right, was probably the Post of
Commandment. There is a dummy gun emplacement further on.

[Illustration: +Maréchale Gate, by which the tourist leaves Bruges.+]

[Illustration]

[Illustration: +"Pommern" or "Leugenboom" Battery, near Leugenboom
Hamlet.+]

_Return by the same road to =Moerdijck=, turn left beyond the bridge,
pass through =Moere= (2 kms.), and after crossing the light railway,
take the road on the right which follows the railway to =Leke= village
(5½ kms.). Beyond the_ ruins of the church, _take the right-hand road
to =St. Pierre-Cappelle= (4 kms.)_, whose church is in ruins. _Continue
straight along the Nieuport road_, noticing the many observation-posts
and concrete shelters. _Throughout the region crossed by the itinerary,
on both sides of the Yser, the ground has been completely devastated by
trenches, shelters and bombardments. The villages have vanished. Today
these places are the resort of pilgrims. =Spermalie= (2 kms.) is next
reached._

[Illustration: +Concrete Shelter at St. Pierre-Cappelle.+]

_Beyond the bridge, at the fork, take the right-hand road (in bad
condition) to =Mannekensvere=._

[Illustration]

A few heaps of stones and _débris_ are all that remains of
Mannekensvere. _To visit +St. Georges+, cross the Yser by a small
wooden foot-bridge, near the place where the Pont de l'Union used to
stand. (It is impossible for vehicles to cross the river). Between
the Yser and St. Georges, follow a "boyau" (by-trench) to_ the first
Belgian and German lines, marked by many concrete shelters pierced with
loop-holes.

[Illustration: +The Site of Mannekensvere village.+]

Mannekensvere was situated on the right bank of the Yser. The Pont de
l'Union, which crossed the Yser 3 kms. from Nieuport, connected it
with St. Georges, situated a little further back, on the left bank,
along the Nieuport-Bruges Road. These two villages and the bridge
were among the principal targets of the Germans. On October 18, 1914,
Mannekensvere, an advance-post of the Belgian 2nd Division, was carried
by the Germans, but recaptured shortly afterwards by the Belgian 7th
Infantry Regiment (Major Evrard). Unfortunately, the German heavy
artillery made the position untenable on the following day, and Major
Evrard was forced to re-cross the Pont de l'Union, which he blew up.
St. Georges, on the contrary, was captured only on October 23, after
the crossing of the Yser by the enemy, and the loss of Groote-Hemme
Farm which covered it from the south.

[Illustration: +The Inundations near Dixmude.+]

_Return to +Spermalie+, where turn to the right._

[Illustration: +Temporary foot-bridge across the inundations.+]

The whole of the region now about to be crossed was flooded throughout
the war. Today, the waters have receded, leaving it covered with reeds.

_=Schoore= (1 km.)_, completely razed, _is next reached_.

Schoore was situated slightly to the right of the Yser, on the road
to Bruges. The Belgian 1st Division had its advance-posts there. The
village was captured on October 18, 1914, by a battalion of the German
IIIrd Corps, after a four hours' bombardment.

[Illustration: +The Pont de l'Union, between St. Georges and
Mannekensvere.+]

[Illustration: +The Yser at Schoorbakke.+]

_Cross the Yser at =Schoorbakke= (2 kms.)_

This village had a bridge across the Yser, at the end and to the west
of the great bend in the river, beginning at Tervaete.

This important strategical point was early threatened by the enemy.
After the furious combats of October 15-22, the grand assault was
launched on the night of the 22nd. A battalion of the Belgian 4th
Infantry Regiment, though practically hemmed in by the enemy, defended
it heroically, and only evacuated the position at dawn on the 23rd
_(see p. 12)_.

_Between the Yser and the shelters bordering its left bank, a foot-path
on the right leads to +Groote-Hemme Farm+ (1 km. 300.)_

[Illustration]

_Keep straight along the road. The first road on the left leads to
=Stuyvekenskerke= (1½ kms.)_ of which only a few broken walls remain.

_To the left of the church there is a temporary footway along the
road_; today the latter is recognizable only by the stumps of the trees
which formerly bordered it. _The footway leads to the site on which
stood_ the Château of Vicogne, _and further on, to =Tervaete= (Photo,
p. 117.)_

From this village, the Yser describes a wide curve towards the west
which ends at Schoorbakke. At Tervaete, a bridge spanned the Yser. From
the right bank the enemy were able to enfilade and even attack the
Allies' defences on the left bank, in the rear, and effect a crossing
of the river at that point. This explains the frequency and fierceness
of the German attacks on Tervaete, which was first lost then recaptured
on October 22, 1914, being finally captured by the Germans the next day
_(See p. 12)_.

_From Stuyvekenskerke, return to the road previously followed, turning
left towards +Pervyse+. Shortly before reaching Pervyse are_ the
remains of an elevated footway, which formerly crossed the inundated
ground. _After crossing what used to be the permanent way of the
Dixmude-Nieuport railway, the village of =Pervyse= is reached (3½
kms.)_ The railway embankment formed the boundary of the inundated
area, and was fortified. Shelters and graves are still to be seen
all the way along. There was an observation-post on the top of the
railway-station, to the left of the road.

[Illustration: +Temporary Bridge at Tervaete, on the impassable road to
Stuyvekenskerke, in 1919.+]

Pervyse, in ruins, was made famous by the heroic resistance of the
French Marines who beat off the enemy's fierce onslaughts of October
and December 1914.

The houses bordering the road at the entrance to the village were
turned into machine-gun blockhouses, thus barring the way.

[Illustration: +Ramscappelle Church.+]

_Beyond the church is a crossing; the road on the right leads to
=Ramscappelle= (4½ kms.)_ which played an important part in 1914. On
October 30, 1914, a fierce German thrust ended in the capture of the
village--already on the point of being inundated--from the Belgian
5th and 6th Infantry Regiments. The loss was one of the greatest
importance, as no lines of resistance had been prepared in the rear.
The recapture of Ramscappelle was therefore an indispensable if very
difficult operation. _(See p. 15.)_

[Illustration: +Caeskerke Church (August 1917).+]

_The left-hand road leads to =Dixmude=. =Caeskerke= (5½ kms.), a
station on the Dixmude-Nieuport railway, is next reached._ The
Headquarters of Admiral Ronarc'h were established there in October
1914, and it was this fact which caused it to be bombarded by the
Germans, whose shells quickly reduced it to ruins.

_Beyond Caeskerke, cross the Yser; before reaching the bridge, on
the left, along the riverside, is_ a trench with numerous shelters,
known as the "Boyau de la Mort" (Death Trench). It was enfiladed by
machine-guns posted in the flour-mill on the opposite bank of the Yser
_(on the right, near the bridge)_, which the Germans had converted into
a fortress. _(Photo p. 124.)_

[Illustration: +The "Boyau de la Mort" (Death Trench).+ _See p. 19. In
the background:_ +Dixmude+.]

_The tourist next reaches =Dixmude= (2½ kms.), arriving at the Grand'
Place._

[Illustration]

DIXMUDE.

=Dixmude= was a small ancient town of some 4,000 inhabitants, situated
in the midst of fields on the right bank of the Yser.

It was entirely destroyed. Of the town's monuments and buildings,
traces of the parish-church of St. Nicholas only remain _(on the left
side of the square)_. The chevet dated from the 14th century, the
rest of the building being early 16th century. The church contained a
magnificent rood-loft of finely carved white stone (1540). Above the
high altar was a fine _Adoration of the Wise Men_, by Jordaens (1644).
The rich ancient furnishings comprised: a marble font with a bronze
cover (1626), choir-stalls, pulpits, a "Calvary" altar, a carved oak
organ-loft, wrought copper chandeliers, candlesticks, etc.

From the heap of stones and débris--the remains of the church
tower--there is a good view of the ruined town. In the same square
stood the Hôtel-de-Ville, Gothic in style, built about 1870. It was
entirely razed _(Photo below)_.

[Illustration: +Dixmude, seen from the ruined Church (1919).+]

[Illustration: +Dixmude. The Hôtel-de-Ville, before the war.+]

_The left-hand road leads to the bridge over the Handzaeme Canal_, one
of the most picturesque parts of Dixmude. Close by, to the left of the
road, stood the +Béguinage+, comprising some twenty houses grouped
around a small chapel, and a fine garden. The place is now overrun with
weeds.

The Defence and Capture of Dixmude.

Dixmude was the scene of most desperate fighting from October 15 to
November 10, 1914. The French Naval Brigade--6,000 men commanded by
Admiral Ronarc'h--with a brigade of the Belgian 3rd Division under
General Meiser, and a few battalions of Senegalese troops, held out
heroically for a month against enemy forces six times more numerous and
supported by masses of heavy artillery.

[Illustration]

On October 16, along the roads encumbered with refugees from the region
of Thourout, the Marines, in their retreat from Melle to Ghent, reached
Dixmude in the pouring rain, accompanied by the Belgian batteries under
Major Pontus. Under enemy pressure the advanced positions of the town
were abandoned.

At that time, the river formed the only line of defence against the
enemy thrust, there being no trenches, shelters, or wire entanglements.

In spite of great fatigue, due to the forced marches, the Marines
and Infantry, with the help of some companies of Belgian Engineers,
organised defences in the vast plain. Trenches were made round the
town, 1 km. beyond its outskirts, whilst the bridges, footways and
dikes of the Yser Canal were fortified at the same time.

[Illustration: +The Chevet of the church before the war.+ _(Photo E.
Thill.)_]

The defences of the bridgehead of Dixmude were divided into two
sectors, separated by the Caeskerke Road.

Having no aeroplanes or heavy artillery, the 6,000 French Marines, with
5,000 Belgians of the Meiser Brigade--11th Regiment (Col. Leermans) and
12th regiment (Col. Jacques)--were attacked by three German Army Corps.

After an unsuccessful feint attack on October 16-17, the Germans,
having meanwhile received reinforcements and siege artillery from
Antwerp, renewed their assault with increasing violence.

On the 20th, at 11 a.m., the first big shell fell in the town. In
conformity with the Burgomaster's orders, the civilians left the town,
except the Carmelite Nuns and a few other persons, who were forced to
leave a few days later.

[Illustration: +A street in Dixmude, in 1918.+]

[Illustration: +The Yser at Dixmude, before the war.+ _(Photo Nels.)_]

The first shells fell on the church, which was burnt. Fires broke out
everywhere and soon destroyed the town. The troops stoically awaited
the attack, which came simultaneously from the north, east and south.

The assaulting columns were in massed formation, sixteen lines deep.
They were literally mown down, and after a desperate struggle their
scattered remnants were thrown back on their starting positions.

The attack continued on the following days, without appreciable enemy
gain. Whenever, by force of numbers, they penetrated the defences,
reserve sections of Marines drove them back at the bayonet's point.

[Illustration: +Admiral Ronarc'h.+]

Dixmude was none the less in imminent danger. German troops crossed the
Yser at Tervaete, and slipped along the left bank of the river with the
intention of turning the position. In the thick of the battle and in
spite of the incessant frontal attacks, Admiral Ronarc'h dispatched two
battalions to the threatened point. Although the men were "half-dead
with the cold and lack of sleep", a front was improvised between the
Yser Canal and the embankment of the Nieuport-Dixmude railway. The
manœuvre was a difficult one, but by prodigies of heroism the new line
stood firm and became fixed.

On the 24th, a bombardment of unprecedented intensity was opened on
the town and its defences, including the station of Caeskerke, where
the Admiral's headquarters were situated, but the defenders held their
ground unflinchingly under the terrible deluge of flying splinters.
Towards evening, the enemy made a tremendous effort against the
bridgehead of Dixmude. Eleven assaults in the north and north-east
sector, and fifteen assaults in the south-east sector were successively
repulsed. The German dead accumulated in heaps, right up to the Allies'
trenches. The struggle continued hand-to-hand until midnight, in pitch
darkness, the men floundering blindly in the mud.

[Illustration: +The Yser at Dixmude, after the war.+ _(See opposite.)_]

Exhausted by their tremendous efforts the enemy gave way. Dixmude was
still inviolate, but on the morrow, as soon as the morning mists had
risen, the bombardment began again along the whole line. Little by
little the town fell into ruins.

On the night of the 25th, a company of German infantry managed to slip
into the town. About a hundred of them crossed the bridge-road and in
close formation made a dash for Caeskerke, with fife and drum at their
head. That the men were drugged, explains their foolhardy exploit. A
few prisoners, including several Belgian doctors, Commandant Jeanniot
and some marines were captured. Held up soon afterwards, the Germans
attempted to get back to their lines, shooting most of their prisoners
at dawn. The doctors and a quarter-master alone were spared, being
eventually delivered by a section of French Marines.

The troops under Colonel Jacques, exhausted by the struggle, were
relieved by two battalions of Senegalese and a battalion of the Belgian
1st Line Regiment.

Keeping up their daily bombardment, the enemy now directed their main
effort between Nieuport and Dixmude. However, they were held by the
inundations which soon spread southwards. Moreover, the ceaseless rain
had transformed the ground into a veritable sea of mud, which gradually
invaded the trenches. Shivering with cold and fever, and up to their
knees in slime, the Marines still stood firm.

The Capture of Dixmude.

On November 10 the Germans, infuriated by their repeated checks,
attacked again with overwhelming forces. Part of the defences in the
southern sector, between the railway and the Eessen road, held by
Belgian infantry, gave way beneath the shock, bringing about the fall
of the sectors on either side, held by the Senegalese troops. The
line was pierced in the centre. The enemy swarmed through the breach,
crossing the Handzaeme Canal to the north, while to the south, in the
direction of the cemetery, they attacked the companies of Marines
who continued to resist desperately. The Germans entered the town,
the fight continuing from street to street and house to house, with
countless surprises and ambuscades. Unarmed prisoners were made to
march in front of the assailants, who proceeded to attack the positions
on the Yser. Amongst them was Naval-Lieutenant Sérieyx, who, wounded in
the arm, had just fought with his men to the last cartridge.

[Illustration: +The Minoterie.+ _(Flour Mill.)_]

On being ordered by the German Commandant to indicate the fordable
places in the river, one of which was only some fifty yards away,
the French officer, to gain time, made a complicated sketch of the
position, placing himself and his men the while in front of the
Germans. Becoming impatient, the German ordered the Frenchmen to call
on the defenders of the canal to surrender.

"But how can you expect them to surrender", was the calm rejoinder,
"seeing that there are ten thousand of them". In reality, they numbered
about two hundred.

At this point, heavy rifle fire to the north drew the attention of the
enemy elsewhere, seeing which, the wounded officer, exhorting his men
to follow him, jumped into the river and swam over to the other side.

[Illustration]

When night fell, the bridges and flour-mill--a powerful blockhouse in
reinforced concrete--were blown up, the whole of the Franco-Belgian
troops having meanwhile been withdrawn behind the embankment of the
Yser Canal, which they held under gunfire. The Germans sought to
organise the ruins of the unfortunate town, whose destruction was now
being completed by the Allies' artillery.

The inundations reached Dixmude, forming an impassable barrier for the
enemy.

On November 26, 1914, the French Naval Brigade, which later further
distinguished itself on other fields of battle, and whose flag was
eventually decorated with the _Légion d'honneur_ _(fourragère)_, was
mentioned in the Army Orders, in the following terms:

_Gave proofs of the greatest energy and devotion in the defence of a
most important strategic position._

[Illustration: +Admiral Ronarc'h saluting the Flag of the French
Marines.+]

Until October 1918, the enemy's front lines followed the banks of the
canal and the Death Trench, dominated by the ruins of the flour-mill
situated upstream from the destroyed bridge-road. For four years,
violent raids and bombardments kept this sector, successively held
by French Marines, Territorials, Zouaves, and Belgian Infantry, in a
perpetual state of activity.

Finally, in September 1918, during the great Liberty Offensive, the
Belgian 4th Division attacked the banks of the Yser Canal, turned
Dixmude from the east, and in a single rush reached the banks of the
Handzaeme Canal. On September 29, Dixmude, reduced to a chaotic waste
covered with shapeless masses of débris and tangled barbed wire, and
cut up entirely with trenches, was retaken by the Belgians.

[Illustration: +Watching a Review of the French Marines.+]

[Illustration: +Eessen Church.+]

On January 25, 1920, in the presence of King Albert, President Poincaré
conferred the French _Croix de Guerre_ on Dixmude, with the following
mention.

"Won undying fame in the first days of the War by heroic,
never-to-be-forgotten combats. Proved herself worthy of this glory by
the fortitude with which she daily supported bombardments and fires,
confident that her sacrifices were helping to save the Country and the
Common Cause."

_From the canal, return to the Grand'Place and take the Roulers
Road, turning into the first by-road on the left; 3 kms. beyond the
level-crossing, leave the Clercken Road leading to Houthulst Wood, on
the right, and keep straight on to =Eessen= (3½ kms.)_ The belfry of
the ruined church was long used by the Germans as an observation-post
_(Photo above)_.

[Illustration]

_In front of the church, turn left and cross the railway. The road
leads to =Vladsloo=_ (large German cemeteries). _Behind the church,
turn left. On reaching the high road, turn left and enter the village
of =Beerst= (5 kms.)_

Beerst and, further north, Keyem served as advance posts in October
1914 to the Belgian 4th Division which was then defending Tervaete.
Violently attacked on October 18, they were lost and retaken, being
finally abandoned on the morrow. In a desperate effort to save Beerst,
the French Marines captured it twice at the point of the bayonet,
covering themselves with glory, but all to no purpose. Beerst was
completely ruined. Many cellars, transformed by the Germans into
fortified shelters, may still be seen.

_On reaching the road to Dixmude, turn left, pass through Dixmude (3½
kms.) and leave the town by the road previously followed. Take the
first road on the left to =Loo= (1½ kms.)_

This small, ancient town is situated on the banks of the Yser canal.
Its large 15th-16th century Gothic church, formerly an abbey, contains
paintings and several fine tombs.

_Keeping straight ahead beyond the Grand'Place, in which stands_ the
Renaissance Hôtel-de-Ville, _the tourist will notice, immediately
on the left, an +Old Gate (Westpoort)+_, a vestige of the ancient
fortifications. A sycamore tree, probably some four or five centuries
old, near by, is said by the inhabitants to have been used by Julius
Cæsar as a picket for tethering his horse.

[Illustration: +Loo.+

_1. Westpoort Gate, and the "Julius Cæsar" Sycamore Tree;_

_2. The Grand'Place. The Hôtel-de-Ville (on the right), and the ruins
of the Church._]

_Return to the Grand'Place, turn to the right, and cross the Yser.
=Reninghe= (5 kms.) (razed) is next reached. To the right of the
Square, take the street along which runs the local railway, leaving the
church on the left. Before turning, the tourist will notice just beyond
the church_ a small château dating from 1648 _(Photo below)_. _Follow
the railway as far as =Oostvleteren= (4 kms. 300), where cross the
Furnes road to reach =Westvleteren=, 1 km. 300 further on. Turn to the
left, beyond the church of the latter village, keeping straight on to
=Poperinghe= (10 kms.), via =Eikhock=._

[Illustration: +Reninghe.+

_1. The 17th century Château;_

_2. Ruins of the Church._]

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS GUIDE

Aachen Battery, 56, 57
Adinkerke, 36
Antwerpen Battery, 57
Augusta Battery, 83

Beerst, 126
Beseler Battery, 57
Blankenberghe, 74
Bruges 85, 113

Caeskerke, 118, 122, 123
Cecilia Battery, 58
Clercken, 126
Coxyde, 37

Dixmude, 118, 126
Dudzeele, 85
Duinbergen, 84
Dunkirk, 24, 32

Eessen, 126
Eikhock, 127

Freya Battery, 83
Friedriechsart Battery, 82
Furnes, 38, 41

Ghistelles, 112
Groden Battery, 75
Groote-Bamburg Farm, 53
Groote-Hemme Farm, 115, 116

Hafen Battery, 74
Halve-Barreel, 112
Herta Battery, 74
Heyst-sur-Mer, 83, 85
Hindenburg Battery, 70
Hondschoote, 34, 35

Jabbeke, 112
Jacobinessen Battery, 72, 73

Kaiserin Battery, 74
Kaiser Wilhelm II Battery, 84
Kanal B Battery, 83
Knocke-sur-Mer, 84, 85

La Panne, 36, 37
Le Coq, 74
Leke, 114
Leugenboom, 113
Lombartzyde, 43, 53
Loo, 126, 127

Mannekensvere, 45, 114, 115
Mariakerke-Bains, 58
Middelkerke-Bains, 57
Mittel B Battery, 75
Moerdijck, 112, 113
Moere, 114

Nieuport, 42, 51

Oost-Dunkirk, 42
Oostvleteren, 127
Ostende, 59, 68

Pervyse, 116, 117
Pommern Battery, 113
Poperinghe, 23, 127

Ramscappelle-lez Bruges, 85
Ramscappelle (near Nieuport), 117, 118
Reninghe, 127
Rosendael, 33

Saint-André, 112
Saint-Georges, 46, 114, 115
St Pierre Cappelle, 114
Schoorbakke, 116
Schoore, 115
Spermalie, 114, 115
Steenstraate, 49
Stuyvekenskerke, 117

Tervaete, 116, 122
Tirpitz Battery, 58, 63, 64

Varssenaere, 112
Vladsloo, 126

Wenduyne, 74
Westende, 54, 55
Westkerke, 112
Westvleteren, 127
Wulpen, 42

Zeebrugge, 75, 81
Zeppelin Battery, 75
Zuydcoote, 34

[Illustration]

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Transcriber's Notes:

Used Reversed Rotated Floral Heart Bullets ☙ for the fleurons
on pp. ii, 37, 58, and 105.

Used the mid-dot (·) rather than the full stop for all decimal
points.

Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical
errors.

Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.

Enclosed italics markup in _underscores_.

Enclosed bold unitalicized markup in =equals=.

Enclosed words in small unitalicized capitals in +plus signs+.

*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "The Yser and the Belgian Coast - Michelin Illustrated Guides to the Battlefields (1914-1918)" ***

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