Northumbrian Gunner: Zonnebeke

Monday, 9 May 2016

Ypres 2016 - Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 - Dug Out

During the Third Battle of Ypres (31st July - 10th November) 1917, the Commonwealth forces gradually secured territory from the Germans, and eventually they captured the Passchendaele Ridge. The area was so devastated that there was little cover to shelter troops from enemy artillery fire.

The British began to construct dugouts to protect their soldiers. In 1918, 25,000 tunnellers from the Royal Engineers, and 50,000 attached infantry began to construct a number of underground facilities. By the end of the War 270 dug outs of all types had been built in the region, one of which was a dugout under the ruined church at Zonnebeke.

Zonnebeeke Church Ruins

Zonnebeke Dug Out Model
Church Entrance

Zonnebeke Dug Out Model
Dug Out under Chrurch

Zonnebeke Dug Out Model
Dug Out Layout

Reconstructed Dug Out Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917

Dug Out Entrance

The Dug Out includes an office, officers room, bunk accommodation for soldiers, cooking facilities, workshop and a dressing station.

Royal Engineers officer in office

Officers Room

Soldiers Accommodation

Cook House

Construction in progress

Soldiers working Dug Out WW1

Dug Out Exit

Sunday, 8 May 2016

Ypres 2016 - Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917

Chateau of Zonnebeke
Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917

The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 is housed in the Chateau of Zonnebeke. The original chateau and church were destroyed during the Battles of Ypres.

Chateau of Zonnebeke pre WW1

Zonnebeke 1917 - Church and Chateau Ruins

The area became a desolate battlefield, and the nearby village of Passchendaele came synonymous with the mud and slaughter of trench warfare.

Zonnebeke & Passchendaele Trench Map

Zonnebeke 1917 - Australian Soldiers

The Chateau was rebuilt in 1926, but by the 1980s had fallen into disrepair. It was revived as part of an exhibition held in 1987 to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendale), and opened as a permanent museum in 1989.