Memorials to the Gas Victims

Getting there

There are a number of monuments near Steenstraat accessible by the N 369 road between Ieper and Diksmuide.

Coming out of Ieper along the N 369 you will pass Essex Farm Cemetery on your right. Continue towards Boezinge and Diksmuide. A few minutes after Boezinge you will come across a large Metal Cross on your left. This is the Franco Belgian Gas Memorial.

There is room to park a vehicle either side of the road.

Alternatively if you wish to visit the van Raemdonck memorial as well, continue along the main road a short distance and just before the bridge and café there is a small car park on the left. This is as good a place to stop and visit all the wee memorials in this immediate area.

The Franco-Belgian Cross

The original monument showing soldiers being asphyxia ted by the gas was destroyed by the Germans during the Second World War as they objected to its depiction and turn of phrase.

This 15 metre high aluminium cross is thus a replacement and was raised by the architects Paul Tournon and Pierre Devillers in 1961.

Although the original monument was raised by the French 418th Line Regiment the inscription around the base of the monument gives the Regiments involved in the fighting in the area by both French and Belgian Forces, and in particular those who were subjected to the first gas attack on 22 April 1915.

Wreaths and the French dedication

Commemorating the attack

On the anniversary of the attack wreaths are laid by both French and Belgians and the villages also take part in a short parade encompassing the local monuments.

Looking towards the Grenadiers Monument

The same route can be followed on foot and will take perhaps 15 to 20 minutes.

From the cross walk back into the village of Zuidschote and turn right at the cross roads - noting the Demarcation Stone there.

This is Generaal Lotzstraat and is named after Grenadiers' Commander in 1915; General Lotz.

On your left on the wall of No 15 you will see a plaque dedicated to the Carabineers who fought here.

The plaque on the wall

Continue along the road out of the village turning right into Grenadiersstraat towards the Grenadiers' Monument.

The Anniversary Parade

The Grenadiers Monument

Inaugurated by King Léopold III on 22 April 1934 the granite monument is dedicated to the Belgian Grenadier Regiment who were their right of the line on the day of the gas attack.

Against superior numbers and the effects of the gas - which were noted even here quite some distance from the main discharge - the Grenadiers steadfastly held their line, repulsing all efforts by the Germans to turn the Belgian Army's flank.

A Grenadier and Carabineer Stand Guard

From here it is just a short walk back to the gas cross.

Approaching the Gas Cross

Monument to the 3rd Line Regiment

Just before the bridge and to the right of the café is a small white cross dedicated to those of the Belgian 3rd Line Regiment who fell during the gas attacks and subsequent fighting.

The inscription reveals that it is dedicated to the:

Glorious memory of the 152 officers, NCOs and soldiers of the 3rd Line Regiment who fell between the 24th April and 10th May 1915 at Steenstraat in contributing to breaking the German offensive launched on the 22nd April with the aid of asphyxiating gas.

A member of this regiment has a particularly fine memorial a few kilometres further along the road towards Diksmuide near Merkem.

Monuments at Kippe

On the way you will also see the memorial to the Belgian 3rd Division

From the bridge at Steenstraat it is a short walk out along the canal to the monument to the van Raemdonck brothers who were killed along the canal bank.

The van Raemdonck Monument
The Breton Memorial