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The Dodengang (
Dodengang 12.jpg, Yard with memorial
Dodengang 26.JPG, Belgian fortifications
Dodengang 18.JPG , Inside the trenches
Kaaskerke - Demarcatiepaal nr 12.jpg, Demarcation stone
Diksmuide, oorlogsmonument bij de Dodengang foto3 2015-09-28 14.14.jpg, War memorial Dodengang
Dodengang 23.JPG, German bunker
Dodengang 10.jpg
Dodengang 38.jpg
Dodengang 13.JPG
Dodengang 21.JPG
Dodengang 15.JPG
Dixmude: Trenches of Death
Trench of Death
{{coord, 51.0468, 2.8436, type:landmark_region:BE, display=title Military history of Belgium during World War I History of Flanders World War I memorials in Belgium Ypres Salient Diksmuide
The Dodengang (Dutch
Dutch commonly refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands
* Dutch people ()
* Dutch language ()
Dutch may also refer to:
Places
* Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States
* Pennsylvania Dutch Country
People E ...
, also called Trench of Death in English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
and ''Le Boyau de la mort'' in French) is a World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
memorial site located near Diksmuide, Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
. The site is located about from the IJzertoren in the centre of the city, and set directly on the banks of the Yser Canal.
Memorial site
The ''Dodengang'' is a section of preservedtrench
A trench is a type of excavation or in the ground that is generally deeper than it is wide (as opposed to a wider gully, or ditch), and narrow compared with its length (as opposed to a simple hole or pit).
In geology, trenches result from ero ...
where many soldiers were killed in World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. The trench was begun at the time of the Battle of the Yser
The Battle of the Yser (french: Bataille de l'Yser, nl, Slag om de IJzer) was a battle of the First World War that took place in October 1914 between the towns of Nieuwpoort and Diksmuide, along a stretch of the Yser River and the Yperlee ...
and was defended by soldiers of the Belgian Army
The Land Component ( nl, Landcomponent, french: Composante terre) is the land branch of the Belgian Armed Forces. The King of the Belgians is the commander in chief. The current chief of staff of the Land Component is Major-General Pierre Gérard. ...
. As part of the Yser Front
The Yser Front (french: Front de l'Yser, nl, Front aan de IJzer or ), sometimes termed the West Flemish Front in British writing, was a section of the Western Front during World War I held by Belgian troops from October 1914 until 1918. The front ...
, it played a key role in preserving the front line in this area and stopping further German incursions across the Yser Canal. Belgian soldiers fought here under the most perilous conditions until the final offensive of 28 September 1918.
In the Battle of the Yser
The Battle of the Yser (french: Bataille de l'Yser, nl, Slag om de IJzer) was a battle of the First World War that took place in October 1914 between the towns of Nieuwpoort and Diksmuide, along a stretch of the Yser River and the Yperlee ...
, the Belgian army retreated behind the Yser Canal and dug in. The Belgian fortifications on the Yser Front
The Yser Front (french: Front de l'Yser, nl, Front aan de IJzer or ), sometimes termed the West Flemish Front in British writing, was a section of the Western Front during World War I held by Belgian troops from October 1914 until 1918. The front ...
along the canal bank consisted of a trench
A trench is a type of excavation or in the ground that is generally deeper than it is wide (as opposed to a wider gully, or ditch), and narrow compared with its length (as opposed to a simple hole or pit).
In geology, trenches result from ero ...
and a series of bunkers, all designed to halt the German advance.
To the north of the Belgian fortifications is an area where the German army successfully crossed the Yser Canal and erected a concrete bunker, only a few yards away from where the Belgian army held the position.
Museum
After the war, the ''Dodengang'' became one of the first memorial sites in Belgium to be opened to the public as atourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest that tourists visit, typically for its inherent or an exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement.
Types
Places of natural ...
. A new museum was built on the site in recent years.
Demarcation stone
A demarcation stone was unveiled here in 1922 by King Albert. It forms part of a series of stone markers all along the Western Front line from the North Sea to the Swiss border. The markers are carved from pink granite and are about one metre high. On the top of the demarcation stone is a laurel wreath surmounted by the helmet of the Belgian army which stopped the German advance here.Gallery
Memorial site
Landscape
See also
* List of World War I memorials and cemeteries in FlandersExternal links
Dixmude: Trenches of Death
Trench of Death
{{coord, 51.0468, 2.8436, type:landmark_region:BE, display=title Military history of Belgium during World War I History of Flanders World War I memorials in Belgium Ypres Salient Diksmuide