The IJzerdijk

It was behind the IJzerdijk - the dyke of the River IJzer - that the Belgian Army established its front line positions in October 1914. During the war, the land on the far side of the dyke was covered in water. Here and there, there were small pieces of higher ground, which rose above the surface of the flood like small 'islands'. These were used as advanced posts and were the scene of frequent and often fierce fighting. They were reached by a series of walkways and pontoons, which allowed the soldiers of both sides to manoeuvre their way through the watery wastes.

Behind the IJzer, nearby villages such as Oudekapelle, Nieuwkapelle and Kaaskerke were flattened by almost continual bombardment. The civilian population was ordered to evacuate in October 1914, but two elderly women refused to leave their homes.

Marie Declercq, or the widow Debeuf or Mieke Beuf as she was known, remained in her house close to the dyke in Nieuwkapelle, from where she served coffee to the soldiers travelling to or from the front line. She was finally evacuated to Koksijde in 1915. The troops called her 'La Joconde' (Mona Lisa) because of her smile.

The widow Favarger de la Favarge (Madame Tack) also welcomed troops to her home, the Villa Marietta, where she provided, amongst other things, snacks and shoe polish! She also ran errands for the men in the trenches, delivering their 'orders' with her donkey.

Both these brave women were decorated by King Albert. Mieke was awarded the Civic Cross, Madame Tack was made a dame in the Order of Leopold.

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