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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Ypres - Hedge Street Tunnels?


Kevin the Salmon

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I'm trying to trace my grandfather's movements as a runner with the MGC attached to 39th Division 116 Company in late 1917.  Company records show headquarters moving from Canada Tunnels to Hedge Street Tunnel in October 1917.  I've located Canada Tunnels but have no idea where Hedge Street is or where the tunnel there was located.  Presumably the name comes from some mispronunciation of Hooge.  Does anyone have any information?  I hope to go over there in the next few weeks and take a look.

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The location of Hedge Tunnel (more info here)

 

-1.jpg

-2.jpg

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Hedge St is shown on this map, which matches Roel's, from another map, the 2 red shares show locations of Hedge St Tunnels.

 

Peter

img131.jpg

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For a more detailed (present day) view.

The tunnel crosses the Zandvoordestraat in Zillebeke.

 

Roel

Naamloos.jpg

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The tunnels are shown in blue on this map (National Archives WO153/909).

2b Rly Wd - Observatory Ridge [detail].JPG

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And a related question in the same neighbourhood ..  I have a map reference for where G battery guns were on Oct 16 1917 when company HQ was at Hedge Street. The company were relieved on the 20th and returned to the line Nov 4th (with company HQ back at Hedge St again) but no mention of where guns were deployed .  My grandfather was running between Hedge St Tunnel and G Battery when he was wounded on the 6th. What I'm trying to work out is whether G battery would have likely been in the same place on the 6th as it was the month before.  What exactly was G battery?  Was it a fixed location, an emplacement where the artillery were, or was it simply a reference to a group of machine guns acting as a battery (i.e they may have been anywhere)?  Any clarification greatly appreciated!

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I guess my second question doesn't really belong here so I will try posting it separately ... but again, thanks to all those who identified the tunnels for me.  

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