WWI, Battle of Messines Ridge, 1917

"The remains of Oosttaverne Wood and the wrecked German trenches captured on the first day of the offensive. The Battle of Messines (June 7-14, 1917) was an offensive conducted by the British Second Army on the Western Front near the village of Messines in Belgian West Flanders during WWI. The offensive forced the German Army to move reserves to Flanders from the Arras and Aisne fronts, which relieved pressure on the French Army. The battle began with the detonation of mines, which devastated the German front line defenses, followed by a creeping barrage 700 yards deep, covering the British troops as they secured the ridge with support from tanks, cavalry patrols and aircraft. In 1919, Ludendorff wrote that the British victory cost the German army dear and drained German reserves. Hindenburg wrote that the losses at Messines had been "very heavy" and that he regretted that the ground had not been evacuated."

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

Expeditionary Flanders Messines

Features In These Collections

> Contributors > PHR