100 yrs. ago, Flanders Fields

Oct/Nov 1914 was the First Battle of Ypres (Flanders).

wikip: … Ypres was the last major obstacle to the German advance… The battle was also significant as it witnessed the destruction of the highly experienced and trained British regular army….”The Old Contemptibles” disappeared, to be replaced by fresh reserves which eventually turned into a mass conscripted army to match its allies and enemies….The battle…inaugurated the static western front. Mobile operations would not resume until 1918….

The Second Battle of Ypres was in April/May 1915. Ypres was the last major Belgian city not occupied by the Germans and defending Belgium was a prime objective for the British. The Germans unleashed chlorine gas in the first large modern gas attack on Canadian and Algerian soldiers. The famous poem, In Flanders Fields, was written during the battle in May 1915 by Canadian medical corps officer, John McCrae.

This section is for comments from tammybruce.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Tammy agrees with or endorses any particular comment just because she lets it stand.

You must be logged in to post a comment.