Hill 60, Belgium

Hill 60, located around three miles south-east of Ypres, is not a natural feature, but was made from the spoil removed during the construction of the railway line nearby. Because it was a small area of elevated land in a flat landscape, it obviously had strategic importance in the battles in the Salient.

Following the end of the War, the land was left relatively undisturbed. Because of the large amount of tunneling and mining that went on here, and the fact that during fierce fighting the hill changed hands between the Germans and the Allies several times, the remains of many soldiers from both the Allied and German forces still lie here.

1st Australian Tunneling Company Memorial

At the front of the site there is a memorial to the 1st Australian Tunneling Company, and the plaque on this contains bullet holes These date from the Second World War, when this area was once again fought over, although much more briefly. The plaque explains that this permanent memorial replaces one erected in 1919 by comrades of those who fell here.

Queens Victorias Rifles Memorial

Also on top of the Hill, near the front of the site, is another memorial, this one to Queen Victorias Rifles, commemorating where the regiment fought their first open engagement, in which they lost 12 officers and 180 men in casualties. However, this is not the original memorial. That was erected in 1923, commemorating all ranks of the QVR who gave their lives for their country in the First World War. It was unveiled by General Sir Charles Fergusson, at a ceremony at which Captain G.H. Woolley VC was the clergyman. Woolley, then serving as a Second Lieutenant in the QVR had woin the Victoria Cross here at Hill 60 on the night of the 20th-21st of April, 1915.
However this original memorial was destroyed in 1940 by the Germans, and the plaque on the current memorial was placed by the Regiment on some of the stones of that original memorial.

German Pillbox

Towards the rear of the site on elevated ground is a pillbox which is still largely intact. This was originally German, but modified by the Australians in 1918. It's appearance is somehow macabre and the marks of bullets/shells can still be seen in the concrete

Closer inspection reveals just how massive was the construction of this pill-box. The walls are at least three feet thick, with metal reinforcing bars protruding. This can be seen in the picture below; the view through the pillbox in the centre of the picture shows the width of the walls. No wonder this pill-box withstood several assaults and is still there nearly 90 years later.

Of all the sites i have seen on the Western Front standing in front of this Pillbox was one of the most amazing and bone-chilling experiences. I am truly in awe of the men who through themselves at this type of defence trying to capture it.

It was a moment in time that i will never forget!