Ypres 2016 - Messines Ridge

In preparation for operations in Flanders which would relieve pressure on the French Army, an offensive was planned in summer 1917 in the Ypres Salient. As a preliminary operation, the capture of the Messines Ridge would deprive the Germans of the high ground to the south of Ypres.

View across British Lnes from German positions on Messines Ridge

The Battle of Messines would be the precursor to the Third Battle of Ypres - Passchendaele.

Messines Ridge & Passchendaele 1917

The attack would be made along a 16 km (10 miles) front and exploit to a depth of 2,700 m (3,000 yards).Three Corps from the Second Army commanded by General Sir Henry Plumer would conduct the assault - X Corps to the north, IX Corps centre, II Anzac Corps south.

Preparation for the operation had begun in August 1915 when tunnelling beneath the Messines Ridge started  with the intention of placing 25 mines beneath the German lines. The tunnels dug from the British lines through no mans land were up to 658m (720 yards) long and at a depth up to 38m (125ft). Nearly 500,000 kg (490 tons) of explosives were placed under the German defences.



From <http://www.durandgroup.org.uk/Photos/Messines.GIF>

 On the eve of the attack Major General Charles Harrington, Chief of Staff Second Army remarked ‘Gentlemen, we may not make history tomorrow, but we shall certainly change the geography’

At 03:00 7^th June 1917, the mines were detonated. It is estimated that 10,000 German troops were killed instantly, and the initial assault resulted in 7,000 prisoners many of who were traumatised by the intensity of the mine explosions.  The explosion could be heard in London, whilst scientists in Lille mistook the explosion for an earth quake.

From <http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/bam/live/content/zpshgk7/large>

 The British and ANZAC troops made significant gains on the 7^th June, and . The assault  continued for another 7 days capturing and securing the Messines Ridge.

Battle of Messines - Anzacs

 

 

 

 

Spanbroekmolen Crater

Kruisstraat Craters

 Messines Ridge Craters 

	Mine	Kilos	Pounds	Length	Depth	Start Date	Finish Date
1	Hill 60	24,300	53,500	354 m	30 m	22/08/1915	01/08/1916
2	Caterpillar	32,000	70,000	427 m	33 m	22/08/1915	18/10/1916
3	St Eloi	43,400	95,600	408 m	38 m	16/08/1915	11/06/1916
4	Hollandscheschur Farm 1	15,500	34,200	251 m	20 m	18/12/1915	20/06/1916
5	Hollandscheschur Farm 2	6,800	14,900	137 m	18 m	18/12/1915	11/07/1916
6	Hollandscheschur Farm 3	7,900	17,500	244 m	18 m	18/12/1915	20/08/1916
7	Petit Bois 1	14,000	30,000	616 m	19 m	16/12/1915	30/07/1916
8	Petit Bois 2	14,000	30,000	631 m	23 m	16/12/1915	15/08/1916
9	Maedelstede Farm	43,000	94,000	518 m	33 m	03/09/1916	02/06/1917
10	Peckham 1	39,000	87,000	349 m	23 m	20/12/1915	19/06/1916
11	Peckham 2	9,100	20,000	122 m	23 m	20/12/1915	01/12/1916
12	Spanbroekmolen	41,000	91,000	521 m	29 m	01/01/1916	26/06/1916
13	Kruisstraat 1	14,000	30,000	492 m	19 m	02/01/1916	05/07/1916
14	Kruisstraat 2	14,000	30,000	451 m	21 m	02/01/1916	23/08/1916
15	Kruisstraat 3	14,000	30,000	658 m	17 m	02/01/1916	23/08/1916
16	Ontario Farm	27,000	60,000	392 m	34 m	28/01/1917	06/06/1917
17	La Petite Douve Farm	23,000	50,000	518 m	23 m	28/01/1916	Discovered
18	Trench 127 Left	16,000	36,000	302 m	25 m	28/12/1915	20/04/1916
19	Trench 127 Right	23,000	50,000	405 m	26 m	28/12/1915	09/05/1916
20	Factory Farm	9,100	20,000	296 m	20 m	01/02/1916	14/04/1916
21	Trench 122 Right	18,000	40,000	241 m	25 m	01/02/1916	11/06/1916
22	Birdcage 1	9,100	20,000	130 m	18 m	01/12/1915	Not Fired
23	Birdcage 2	15,000	32,000	236 m	18 m	01/12/1915	Not Fired
24	Birdcage 3	12,000	26,000	261 m	20 m	01/12/1915	Not Fired
25	Birdcage 4	15,000	34,000	239 m	18 m	01/12/1915	Not Fired