john conley Posted 30 May , 2010 Share Posted 30 May , 2010 Finally completed our first tour. Followed in footsteps of our grandfather, myself, my sister, grandson plus other relatives. I kept a note of each place visited so as I could compile a detail and written report on returning home. Sadly it did not totally work out I cannot find details on two places. An airfield site (signposted) on French/Belgian border. It has flat area probably used as landing strip & small cemetary. Some farm buildings. Viewed from a viewing area. The other site on the Ypres Salient that I cannot find is a very large mine crater, fenced but with an entrance to a memorial to miners. Would be realy good if any member can point me to these. Our trip was brilliant and the next trip will be to the Somme where relative was wounded. Thanks in anticipation should you be able to help. Regards John C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 30 May , 2010 Share Posted 30 May , 2010 Sounds like - Abeele, and - RE Grave, Railway Wood (near Hooge) or Spanbroekmolen (near Wytschaete) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salientguide Posted 30 May , 2010 Share Posted 30 May , 2010 Chris and John Whilst RE Wood is indeed a memorial to tunnelers lost with a small mine crater behind it, Johns description sounds more like the 1917 battle of Messines crater at St Eloi south of Ypres. The gun on the roundabout, for some unknown reason, is part of a tunnelers memorial. The crater is fenced off but can be visited. Access is via a digital lock on the gate. the number is obtained for a small fee from ? which tourist office is it Kemmel or Ypres any pal remember? Do not confuse the 1917 crater with the two 1916 craters just to the south east of the village.one of which has quite free access. Spanbroekmolen The Pool of Peace is outside of Whyschate and also has free access. My guess is that you visited St Eloi. Regards SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john conley Posted 1 June , 2010 Author Share Posted 1 June , 2010 Chris and SG Gents thank you for taking the time to reply. Abeele is definately the airfield. Still not sure about the crater but your leads will definately give me the info to find it. The thing about the lock put me off a bit but can remember a party leaving the site as we entered so is still possible. Will look at all the suggestions and I think this will give me the answer. Will make more careful notes next time. Thanks again John C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 1 June , 2010 Share Posted 1 June , 2010 If you visited the St. Eloi craters, then you would have had to get through the gate. Once there, there is a raised walkway on the left, which takes you past a couple of craters, and then you would also see a "Tardis in reverse" - a British observation post, with walls two feet thich, which is thus considerably smaller inside than it looks from the outside. I doubt that you could either have missed it, nor resisted the temptation to go inside. If you can't remember seeing, and nosing inside, then you probably weren't in the St. Eloi Craters! Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick D Posted 1 June , 2010 Share Posted 1 June , 2010 Any photos of these places ? Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punjab612 Posted 1 June , 2010 Share Posted 1 June , 2010 from ? which tourist office is it Kemmel or Ypres any pal remember? Ypres, or at least it was last May and it was free Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salientguide Posted 6 June , 2010 Share Posted 6 June , 2010 The other alternative, (is that tautology? surely if its the other -then its an alternative, get the language straight!) the alternative may be the large Caterpillar Crater the other side of the railway line at Hill 60. Is that still approched by a gate type style, . Or come to think of it John if not St Eloi then it may well have been Hill 60 itself. Entrance there is by, is it the Australian Tunnelers Memorial by the entrance. If you have Before Endeavours Fade by Rose Coombes have a look at the Hill 60 illustrations in there.Hill 60 also contains multiple large dry grassed over craters. Any of that of further help? Regards SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 7 June , 2010 Share Posted 7 June , 2010 Any photos of these places ? Mick I think Mick has the simple solution to the problem, if you have a photo of the mine crater, post it on the forum, I'm sure you'll get a reply to your question about which crater it is, and its exact location. regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john conley Posted 7 June , 2010 Author Share Posted 7 June , 2010 Hi All Thank you once again for your considerable help. The answer is 'the pool of peace' Spanbroekmolen. One of our party made a note and your guidance confirmed. Thanks again Regards John C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salientguide Posted 7 June , 2010 Share Posted 7 June , 2010 OK John. glad you had a really good trip and can complete your record of it. Thats quite a good thing to do especially if you have photos to tie into it. regards SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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