WWI - Zillebeke

Zillebeke, Flanders

Steel display sign 833mm x 312mm

The main road through Zillebeke, southeast of Ypres saw very heavy bombardment during the Third Battle of Ypres in July and August 1917.

Hill 60. At 7.05pm on 17^th April, two pairs of mines and one single mine were exploded by the British under the German front line south-east of Ypres. Following the explosion of the mines, Major J F Joslin led a Company of the Royal West Kents into the German position. The German commanders were very afraid that the gas cylinders dug into in the German XV. Corps frontline trench would be discovered and desperate attempts were made by the Germans to expel the British. Furious counter-attacks by the Germans took place during the next four days. Several British battalions fought on the Battle for Hill 60 and casualties were high. During this fighting four Victoria Crosses were won.