95 years ago today: the Battle of the Lys

[Chris_Baker]

In thick fog on the front between Armentieres and the La Bassee canal, in the early hours of 9 April 1918 the German artillery opened up a crushing bombardment of high explosive and poison gas. By breakfast their infantry had begun an advance aimed at the capture of the railway junction at Hazebrouck and the cutting of the main supply road into Ypres. The Battle of the Lys had begun. On this day, the 55th (West Lancashire) Division carried out one of the most remarkable defensive feats of the war in holding onto Givenchy; the 2nd Portuguese Division on their left was destroyed; the British 40th Division beyond was all but destroyed; and the 34th Division was heavily engaged in and west of Armentieres. German infantry crossed the Lys at Bac St Maur and the Lawe at the Rault Lock.

Many thousands were killed, wounded or captured on this day: the first of 240,000 casualties of this battle.

Remembering.

[spconnolly007]

Remembered

[Michelle Young]

Not forgotten

Michelle

[ulsterlad2]

Remembering

[Roger H]

We cannot know what it must have been like. Remembering all those that didn't make it back as well as those that did.

Roger

[bushfighter]

Laying a wreath on the local war memorial at a Portuguese military parade on Saturday.

[Anneca]

I find it difficult to comprehend that so many thousands were killed wounded or captured on this day 95 years ago, but 240,000 casualties of the Battle of the Lys is totally mind blowing.

Not forgotten.

[Ivor]

My great uncle Joseph Steele, 200738 1/4 Battalion of the Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment, was captured by the Germans on the 9th April, pssibly at Windy Corner. To be held as a POW at Salome only a few miles away and killed during allied shelling of the village on 28th April, never to return home to his Cumberland village of Corney.

He shall never be forgotten.

[bill24chev]

I believe either Hindeburg or Ludendorf later claimed that the 55th Divisions stand cost the German Army the war. Perhaps an even greater feat than at first realised because the Division had to be virtually rebuilt after the German Counter attack at Cambrai

[simb]

Fortunately my grandfather somehow survived as a POW.

[Ian Riley]

I believe either Hindeburg or Ludendorf later claimed that the 55th Divisions stand cost the German Army the war. Perhaps an even greater feat than at first realised because the Division had to be virtually rebuilt after the German Counter attack at Cambrai

The success of the stand of the 55th Division must in part be a result of the tireless and repeated rehearsals and tactical exercises run by the Divisional GOC, Hugh Jeudwine

Ian

[bill24chev]

The success of the stand of the 55th Division must in part be a result of the tireless and repeated rehearsals and tactical exercises run by the Divisional GOC, Hugh Jeudwine

Ian

I agree, probably one of the best British trainers of troops in WW1