Broodseinde

This humble crossroad was the scene of heavy fighting on several occasions throughout the war. It stands a little higher than its surroundings, which made it strategically important. During the First Battle of Ieper it was quickly captured by the Germans, only to be retaken just as quickly by the French on 25 October 1914.
On 1 April 1915 this stretch of line was taken over by the British, who complained bitterly about the lack of hygiene in the French trenches. In October 1917, it was the turn of the Australians to fight here during the Third Battle of Ieper, recapturing the ground that had been lost during the Second Battle of Ieper in 1915. Broodseinde fell into German hands again in the spring of 1918, and was liberated for a final time on 28 September 1918 by Belgian troops.
At the side of the road there is a small memorial wall dating from 1977, commemorating the French 77th, 114th and 135th Infantry Regiments, which fought here in 1914 and early 1915. 16,000 Frenchmen died during the First Battle of Ieper.

Vl. Toeristisch bezienswaardigheden