Known as Wipers to the soldiers that fought here from between October 1914 and October 1918.
Probably the most regularly visited of all Western Front locations nowadays, the city was all but destroyed by shellfire, but the centre has since been rebuilt pretty much as it was before the war.
Being based in or near Ypres, the following battlefield locations could be incorporated into a day tour. More time would allow for a greater exploration and understanding of the fighting that occurred here.
Possible touring stops:
Essex Farm Cemetery and John McCrae’s dugout
The German Military Cemetery at Langemark
Vancouver Corner and the Canadian Division Memorial
Gravenstaffel Ridge
The Bellevue Spur and the Canadian advance to Passchendaele
Tyne Cot Military Cemetery and Memorial
Polygon Wood and the 5th Australian Division Memorial
Hooge and Sanctuary Wood – scene of the Rifle Brigade’s losses in July 1915
Hill 62
Hill 60
The Bluff
The Wijtschate - Messines Ridge and the work of the RE Tunnelling Companies
Australian actions at Messines
Ploegsteert Wood
Kemmel and Locre
Menin Gate and Last Post
Essex Farm Cemetery and John McCrae’s dugout
The German Military Cemetery at Langemark
Vancouver Corner and the Canadian Division Memorial
Gravenstaffel Ridge
The Bellevue Spur and the Canadian advance to Passchendaele
Tyne Cot Military Cemetery and Memorial
Polygon Wood and the 5th Australian Division Memorial
Hooge and Sanctuary Wood – scene of the Rifle Brigade’s losses in July 1915
Hill 62
Hill 60
The Bluff
The Wijtschate - Messines Ridge and the work of the RE Tunnelling Companies
Australian actions at Messines
Ploegsteert Wood
Kemmel and Locre
Menin Gate and Last Post
Please note that to complete all of the above in one day would be impractical and also impossible, but it indicates the number of battlefield sites within a small radius.
A further day in Ypres can be supplemented with a visit to Poperinge and Talbot House, Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and the rear areas of the Salient.
