Blackblue Posted 25 August , 2022 Share Posted 25 August , 2022 Hello All, Is anyone aware of the exact location (Trench Map Reference) of the Gasometer and adjacent pillbox at Zonnebeke please? Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 25 August , 2022 Share Posted 25 August , 2022 If I'm not mistaken, the bunker next to it should be 115 on this map. Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 25 August , 2022 Author Share Posted 25 August , 2022 Many thanks Jan, You might be aware of this one. I'm interested in 4 men, SGT Arthur James and 3 colleagues of the 49th Bn who were KIA here early on 12 Oct 17. They were apparently killed just to the right of the gasometer and there are some photos of what I assume is the gasometer and a pillbox in the Australian War Memorial collection. I understand there was a plaque placed in the vicinity a few years back. The 13th Bde dispositions for 11/12 Oct however have the CHQ of D and A Coys at D.22.d.7.2 and the men in the trenches between D.22.d.7.2 and D.22.d.8.1. Are you aware how the gasometer location was determined at .115? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 25 August , 2022 Share Posted 25 August , 2022 I know it was on the road from Zonnebeke to Broodseinde on the right hand side (and I have been involved in a project for the MMP1917 listing bunkers). There are some well known German pictures of the bunker/gasometer. I should have some scans somewhere... Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 25 August , 2022 Author Share Posted 25 August , 2022 Great, thanks mate. Would be interested if you can lay your hands on them. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 25 August , 2022 Share Posted 25 August , 2022 Here you can see a postwar pic: https://westhoekverbeeldt.be/ontdek/detail/c524952e-bbc5-11e3-82a1-93356aaa5d49/media/450b2645-4f2b-0511-0736-d69f8e4cea01?mode=detail&view=horizontal&q=zonnebeke gas&rows=1&page=1 Attached is a pic ca 1917. The bunker would have been built inside the building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 25 August , 2022 Author Share Posted 25 August , 2022 You're spot on mate. I've just found it marked on an aerial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteStarLine Posted 25 August , 2022 Share Posted 25 August , 2022 Hi Tim, The location numbered 18 is the Gasometer and it is cited in the margin as (18) 22 d 1025 GAS WORKS. Strong cellar in centre house. For background, I've included the complete list of the top 20 buildings with strongest cellars, printed on the margin of the trench map below. Name: ZonnebekeSheet: 28 [parts of]Scale: 1:5,000Edition: 23/07/1917 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 25 August , 2022 Author Share Posted 25 August , 2022 Ah, brilliant mate. Cheers. TD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus1914 Posted 28 August , 2022 Share Posted 28 August , 2022 I found this in one of the Facebook groups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 29 August , 2022 Author Share Posted 29 August , 2022 Thanks Gus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grantmal Posted 31 August , 2022 Share Posted 31 August , 2022 Tim, some more Zonnebeke gasometer pics from 1 & 2 October: Good on you, Grant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grantmal Posted 1 September , 2022 Share Posted 1 September , 2022 A late September [AWM] aerial showing trench works: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 1 September , 2022 Author Share Posted 1 September , 2022 Thanks mate, great stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 1 September , 2022 Share Posted 1 September , 2022 The "trench works" was in fact the 1st Line of the Flandern-I-Stellung. It is questionable that it was actually a deep trench. The Germans had switched by this time to an elastic defensive system and trenches were not any more built. I have read that these often looked like a formidable trench system from above, but that there were only 50 centimetres deep. Archaeological research near Tyne Cot seems to support this, IIRC. Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 1 September , 2022 Author Share Posted 1 September , 2022 Cheers Jan, certainly looks like it was gone by mid October and ceases to be discernible on Trench Maps and aerials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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