Location of High Redoubt Fort, La belle alliance sector, Ypres

[wulsten]

Can anyone provide info of the location of High Redoubt Fort, looking at the war diary of the 1/4th KOYLI, it states 2/10/15 front line la belle alliance sector, German working party heard at High Redoubt fort opposite right of D21.

Not sure about the map reference as this appears to be "C" in the la belle alliance sector or am i just way off the mark, any help appreciated, Geoff

[stevem49]

Ref 21 is located in front of La Belle but on my 1917 map, it is just behind British Lines. Part of 21 - top right hand sector (D) is 'no mans land' The front line in this area is C21.1 to C21.8. I cannot see a High Redoubt Fort though. The only thing I can see in that corner seems to be 'Forward Cottage' at 21d C21.2. I am working to a small section of map for La Belle taken from 28 N W 2 30/06/1917. I cannot see anything like the name but possible in 1915 it was used by the units there.

I presume we are talking Ypres La Belle?

Steve

[wulsten]

Steve, yes, Ypres area war diary states Boesinghe sector, i think im looking at the same map corrected 30 6 17, so as you point out could be different in 1915, would the reference be different or is thsi some form of sub sector reference ? Geoff

[connaughtranger]

I've a map dated 5th Oct 1915 which shows D21 as part of the British front line (49th Div). High redoubt Fort is not shown but you can have a scan of that part of the sector which includes Turco and Fusilier farms. If you PM me your email address I'll be happy to oblige

Regards

Martin

[wulsten]

Martin, PM sent, seems you have saved the day yet again, Geoff

[stevem49]

I doubt the line would have changed between Oct 15 and 1917.

I have found the full map of that area of front line (to Boesinghe) and there is nothing really close to 'high redoubt fort'

Probably a KOYLI ref for some reason!

SM

[wulsten]

Steve, your probably correct on the reference, here is the transcript of the war diary for interest,

Ypres Boesinghe Front 2 10 15 to 8 10 15

Batt relieved 6th Duke of Wellington, one coy in reserve, 5 koyli in front of right sector la belle alliance, German working party heard at high redoubt fort opposite right of D21, casualties one o/r dangerously wounded since died enemy shelled with whiz bangs D21 & D22.

not seen the map from Martin yet, but should be interesting, Geoff

[Phil Evans]

Geoff,

The nearest, by name that I can see is Hill Top Farm, immediately East of La Belle Alliance. I have it on a 1917 composite map, no grid I'm afraid and shown as behind the original Allied Line.

I've cropped out the relevant section and will email it to you shortly.

Just for confusions sake, could it be that the KOYLI were at High Redoubt Fort and heard a German working party at where-ever.

Phil

[wulsten]

This is a small extract, courtesy of Martin (connaughtranger) hope ok to add to the topic Martin, you have certainly helped to locate the position, brilliant

Geoff

[Phil Evans]

Yep,

Martin's got it bang on. Presumably the working party is somewhere in the vicinity of Von Kluck Cottages.

If you can orientate yourself between Martin's clip and the one below, on this 1917 German map is Hohe 29, which is the high spot. Sorry about the quality, but it is cropped from a photo, not a scan.

Phil

[wulsten]

Phil, thanks for the image and email, its amazing how differnt the German maps seem when your used to looking at the British trench maps, looks like ive got my Sunday afternoon sorted, Geoff

[connaughtranger]

This is a small extract, courtesy of Martin (connaughtranger) hope ok to add to the topic Martin, you have certainly helped to locate the position, brilliant

Geoff

I wonder, looking at the map, if High Redoubt Fort is not the little square of trenches just below Point 93 beyond the road?

[wulsten]

I wonder, looking at the map, if High Redoubt Fort is not the little square of trenches just below Point 93 beyond the road?

Taht could be the position as the diary entry does state opposite right of D21, the square is certainly in that position

[wulsten]

D21 ran across the field i believe, pictured here from no mans cot cemetery