De Uniebrug (Union bridge)

During the Battle of the IJzer the bridges over the river were of vital importance. As a result, they were the scene of heavy fighting. In particular, the bridges between Nieuwpoort and Diksmuide - the Union Bridge and the bridges at Tervate and Schoorbakke - played a crucial role.

The German strategy in 1914 aimed to capture the French Channel ports at Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne by advancing along the Belgian coast, before swinging inland to surround the French Army and attack Paris from the rear. This Schlieffen Plan ultimately failed, but the advance along the Belgian coast in October 1914 very nearly succeeded. It was only thanks to the flooding of the IJzer plain and the arrival first of French and then later British support that it was possible to keep the Germans at bay.

The bridges were all blown up, as soon as it became clear that they could no longer be held, which forced the Germans to build pontoons if they wanted to continue their advance. However, they did succeed in capturing the village of Sint-Joris, close to the left bank of the IJzer. The nearby bridge remained in German hands throughout the war, although the whole area around the village was set under water by the flooding.

There are monuments in the village to the 7th and 14th Line Regiments of the Belgian Army. The 14th Line Regiment lost 900 of its 1,200 men during the fighting at Sint-Joris.

Vl. Toeristisch bezienswaardigheden