Zillebeke Bund

[Skipman]

Reading various CEF battalion diaries, I have come across " Zillebeke Bund " for example in the 52nd Canadian Infantry Battalion Diary 29/4/1916 " in reserve Zillebeke Bund "

What was the Bund, an embankment round the Lake?

Mike

[centurion]

The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, 1914-1919 " Going in, the 9th East Surrey Regiment was relieved in Zillebeke-Bund ,where safe dug-outs existed in the heavy earthworks which formed the westerly shore on Lake Zillebeke"

[Guest]

Excellent. Thank you centurion.

Mike

[Maricourt]

For many years prior to WW1 Zillebeke Lake was, I believe, a water supply for Ypres. It is a man-made lake and the soil from this forms the sides. In 1917, the RFA had gun pits in the side of the lake. The Germans, of course, knew this, targetted the area and it became known as "The Gunners' Hell". One enterprising gunner subaltern used some of the disused punts and rowed out into the middle of the lake to try to escape the shells.

Today, it is a wonderfully peaceful place where you can walk around the lake.

Regards ... Maricourt

[Guest]

Thank you Maricourt.

Mike

[Guest]

Thanks to seaJane for this link.

The Bund Zillebeke

Mike