2 miles north of Ypres : how far from ... Ypres ?

[Aurel Sercu]

Yes, I know, the topic title is a bit silly, but I have had that sort of question for years.

When a soldier writes (in a diary, or in a letter) : "We are 2 miles north of Ypres", does that mean :

1. 2 miles north of the centre of Ypres (market square)

2. 2 miles north of the northern edge of the built-up area (which was approx. 0.6 km (1/3 mile) from the centre)

3. 2 miles north of the northern border of Ypres (the border between Ypres and Boezinge) (which in WW1 was 1.4 km (a little less than 1 mile) from the centre, i.e. where Duhallow Cemetery is now)

I don't think it was 3, for I don't think that town and village borders were marked on trench maps, or that there were sign boards.

So : was it 1 or 2 ?

I would appreciate your "opinion", but even more I would appreciate if someone ever found out with certainty. Maybe after reading something similar in a letter or (war) diary) and then later being able to pinpoint on a map the exact location (and so knowing whether the given distance was from the centre of a town or village, or not.)

Aurel

[Coldstreamer]

4, where he was told he was

my opinion would be 1

[roel22]

Hi Aurel, here's how it worked in Holland some 100 years ago.

Distances were measured to (and from) the city hall.

In case there was no city hall the largest church tower was used.

So I'd go for option 1 too.

Roel

[Beselare]

Hi Aurel

If this was a private writing the diary, then he wouldn't have had a map. If he had asked an officer, I doubt if the officer would have produced a map and helped him to measure it. Also, when marching, distances seemed to be longer than they really were. My guess is that he was a few yards from your doorstep.

Bob

[roel22]

I also wouldn't take the 2 miles too seriously.

Roel

[mebu]

If a private soldier was at the northern part of town, such as at Kaaie, he would still be "in Ypres". Or, if he were at the station, or closer to the front at the other side of town, he would still be "in Ypres". So it is a little difficult to know where his 2 miles ended.

Peter

[Aurel Sercu]

Thanks, Roel, Peter, Bob, Coldstreamer,

No need to make / keep it a secret who the "soldier" was.

John McCrae. (Sorry John when I called you a ... soldier ... )

He wrote "2 miles north of Ypres" in a letter.

A couple of days later he wrote : "one and a half miles north of Ypres".

I think he must have had access to a map.

No, I don't take "two" and "one and a half" seriously.

Yet it may be helpful.

"Two miles" north of the built up area (my number 2) sure would be too far north.

By the way, should someone be interested and know where in Boezinge the line was between French troops and more south the Canadian troops (or better : artillery) .... It's a little complicated for me ... (I know, I myself living here should know, but I don't ...)

Aurel