Battlefields in Belgium
A few of the most interesting places I visited in Belgium were the sites of old historic battles. We only had a few days in this country and lots to see, with the main destinations being: Brussels, a couple World War I museums and sites, and the town we used to live in. For those of you who don't know, when I was a kid my family used to live in Belgium, and so now whenever we visit Belgium we go and see the town where we used to live. With so much to see, and in so little time, I knew we would have to hire a car and drive to the different destinations. This was my first time driving on the right hand side and I was nervous to say the least. Thankfully I had a wonderful navigator in my brother who helped me along every step of the way. It was well worth it as we were able to drive to a number of locations in Belgium and see some fantastic sights.
Ypres
Ypres, in Flanders, was a huge focal point of World War I with many battles fought here. It was the battle fields in this region of Belgium that inspired the famous poem "In Flanders Fields". We were able to visit the Flanders Fields Museum that documented the battles that occurred around Ypres. Rather appropriately it was raining when we arrived, but the day cleared up later.
Hill 60
Not far from Ypres is Hill 60, the site of a World War I battle that has been preserved in the same state it was left in after the war. The battle involved fierce fighting between the British and the Germans with both sides digging tunnels to set up explosives beneath the enemy positions. Nature has now re-taken most of the hill but the marks of trenches, and scars of war, can still be seen in the landscape.
Plaques on either side mark the front lines location in 1914.
While nature has reclaimed much of the site, I could still see the mounds and ditches that must have been caused by exploding artillery shells.
An old structure that was a bunker position of some kind. Little poppies and crosses have been left to memorialize the soldiers who sacrificed their lives here.
Passchendaele
This old battle field, about seven kilometers away from Ypres was the site of some of the most intense fighting in World War I, involving troops from all around the world. Now the entire site has been transformed into an extensive memorial park with a garden set out to commemorate the soldiers of each nation that fought here.
Waterloo
On another day we visited the Lion's Mound at Waterloo that commemorates the defeat of Napoleon.
There was a helpful board to show how the armies arrayed themselves on the field.
Flowers in Brussels
Not a battlefield, but the main square in Brussels was filled with flowers during our visit. I thought it would be nice to include these pictures of something far more beautiful than the ugly reminders of war and death.
Flower display in the main square of Brussels
We did other activities while in Belgium, further sightseeing in Brussels, eating waffles, and catching up with old friends. But I didn't have many good pictures to share from those activities, you will just have to ask me about them the next time you see me 😄. While maybe not a highlight in the traditional sense, seeing these old battle fields was something I hadn't experience before and I found it incredibly interesting but also sobering, a strong reminder of the horrors of war. I think it is something we should all keep in mind especially in our day when war and conflict is looking ever more likely.
Thanks for reading – Edward
Written 15th of October 2024