bkristof Posted 28 November , 2004 Share Posted 28 November , 2004 I noticed that the 2 little bunkers at Polygone wood are not on the trench maps of 1917 (the ones i know). Are they 1918? Does anyone has maps where they are marked on? thanks for any info, kristof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 28 November , 2004 Share Posted 28 November , 2004 kristof, is the attached photo one of them? (the other is very similar) If it is I will tell you about them, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkristof Posted 28 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 28 November , 2004 Yes that is one!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat McLachlan Posted 28 November , 2004 Share Posted 28 November , 2004 Kristof, Those are the two bunkers constructed by New Zealand engineers in 1918. Cheers, Mat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 29 November , 2004 Share Posted 29 November , 2004 There should be more information in the History of the New Zealand Engineers but I won't access to this until I get back from travelling. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 29 November , 2004 Share Posted 29 November , 2004 Kristof, as has been stated by Mat, these bunkers are New Zealand. They were constructed in February '18 by 4th Field Company, New Zealand Engineers. They refer to them as "Diggers Rest" although it is not clear whether this refers to the bunkers or the general location. They refer to them as "English Pattern shelters to accommodate 4 men" They built some others outside the wood but I could'nt find these, they also built one near Scott's Post, the German bunker in the centre of the wood, but could'nt find this either. Hope this helps, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 29 November , 2004 Share Posted 29 November , 2004 PS. for those who haven't seen them, this is the other one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkristof Posted 29 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 29 November , 2004 Can you give some details on the location of the others, i also looked for them, never found them... I like to search them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat McLachlan Posted 30 November , 2004 Share Posted 30 November , 2004 ..."English Pattern shelters to accommodate 4 men" I'm trying to imagine how cosy it would have been to squash into one of these with three other blokes. Having said that, I reckon once the shells started falling, you'd all squeeze in without a second thought! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 30 November , 2004 Share Posted 30 November , 2004 Kristof, do you mean you want the locations of the other 4 (all German) which are still in the wood? or the map references from the New Zealand records? I will attach map of existing, if you want more, let me know, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkristof Posted 30 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 30 November , 2004 Kristof, do you mean you want the locations of the other 4 (all German) which are still in the wood? or the map references from the New Zealand records? I will attach map of existing, if you want more, let me know, Peter. The German ones (the othere ones in the wood) AND i look to look for these too: quote: They built some others outside the wood but I could'nt find these, they also built one near Scott's Post, the German bunker in the centre of the wood, but could'nt find this either. Thanks, kristof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 30 November , 2004 Share Posted 30 November , 2004 Kristof, the maps I have been trying to send keep getting rejected, so if you e-mail me I will send you the maps off-thread, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat McLachlan Posted 30 November , 2004 Share Posted 30 November , 2004 Kristof, There's a walking tour of Polygon Wood on my site showing the location of the six pillboxes still there. Check it out at www.diggertours.com/polygon.htm Cheers, Mat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkristof Posted 30 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 30 November , 2004 Mat that is great!!! The biggest problem with Polygon wood is that in the post war period they also used it as ammo disposal and destruction site. So a lot of original trenches are destroyed. I was told a few bunkers were also blown up in the 1920's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 1 December , 2004 Share Posted 1 December , 2004 Mat, just looked at your walking tour of Polygon Wood, and thought what a good guide it is, well done. One thing of note regarding damage to the pill boxes in the wood....it is apparent that much of the damage is from explosions inside rather than outside, this can be seen at Scott Post and is especially evident at the 2 marked no. 3 on your map. This internal damage is, I believe, the result of post-was explosive clearing. I will commend the walking tour to anyone who enquires, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat McLachlan Posted 15 December , 2004 Share Posted 15 December , 2004 Thanks for the nice words Peter. I assumed that the damage to the pillboxes was caused by post-war clearing work but it had not been confirmed to me until now. Thanks. Mat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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