A 3 hour walk around Hill 60, the Caterpillar, the Bluff and Palingbeek gave me a great chance to look in detail at the actions which took place around there. Surprisingly these were not the actions of 1914-18 but that of May 1940.

The German Blitzkrieg pressing the allies back saw the ground around Ypres subjected to the tide of war only 22 years on. No doubt many of the British men observing the cemeteries of the Great War and wondering what fate would behold them.

On the 26th May the 17 Brigade, British 5th Infantry Division moved in to take up positions. The 6 Seaforth Highlanders and 2 Royal Scottish Fusiliers would cover the ground around Hill 60 and the Bluffs.

26th May 1215hrs, the Coy’s regroup after crossing the canal (in the depression photographed here) in this area, they then begin to move forward to form defensive position from this area.

26th May 1230hrs, 2 Royal Scottish Fusiliers, A Coy move into positions covering the red house to Hill 60. Coy HQ is situated in the FWW Bunker on top of Hill 60.

26th May 1300hrs, 91 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery deployed three guns in this position, now the 10th hole.

26th May 1330hrs, 2 Inniskillings setup a Bren gun position on top of this FWW bunker which offered views across the railway. This was commanded by Lt. Magaw

26th May 1400hrs, Regimental Aid Post setup at the three positions by Lt. Clarke of the RAMC, Battalion Stretcher bearers use the barn behind the north east farmhouse. (Three photos of aid post areas, photo two is where the farm was)

A Coy 1/9th Manchesters setup machine guns on top of the three farm house. Here is two of the farm builders, the third is no longer there.

Whilst balancing the Vickers MG, one accidentally was discharged and hit the cookhouse next to the transport line. The bunker remains at the side of the road now

26th May 1400hrs, All bridges are blown over the canal meaning any tracked transport east of the canal were now trapped. The remains of the bridge now..

26th May 2200hrs, A fighting patrol lead by Lt. Cholmomdeley is sent out to observe German artillery from Hill 62. They return with a POW, German NCO. The information gained allows the 5th Div to deploy accurate counter barrages. (View from 60 towards 62)

26th May 2200hrs, the 2 Inniskilling fall back from the railway line towards the Canal (railway in the distance)

27th May 0630hrs, Sniper fire is reported from the woods, the Germans begin to advance forward. At 1300hrs they break through but British counter attacks force them back. (Photo of driveway, German advances towards the camera position. British lines in edge of forest)

27th May 0630hrs, 91 Field Regiment begin to engage the Germans around Hill 60.

27th May 1230hrs, Germans setup a MG post at the Henri Kino’s Cafe.

27th May 1300hrs, the 2 Northampton’s take up positions on the spoil bank high ground to cover the retreat of the Seaforths, these positions are still to be seen on the 17th hole.

27th May 1630hrs, Carrier platoons withdraw towards the ‘White House’, West of the Canal whilst under fire. The last carrier overturns and catches fire. It remains on the gold course today.

27th May 2030hrs, RSF Battalion HQ moves from the White House to Vergote Farm. The farm is now the green keepers sheds for the golf course. 2030hrs, HQ Coy Signals platoon covered the withdrawal of HQ Coy. Close quarter fighting takes place and Fusilier Dickinson is killed.

28th May 0400hrs The remains of RSF HQ and B Coy took up defensive positions around the farm. Lt. Thomson sets off in the remaining carriers to make contact with the Seaforth’s and Northampton’s on the left.

28th May 0400hrs, As they break cover they are hit by AT fire, Lt. Thomson, Lt. Knight and Fusilier Stott bail out of their carrier but are killed by MG fire as they tried to escape on foot. All three are now buried at Bus House Cemetery.

28th May 0500hrs, Fierce fighting continues around what is now the edge of the golf club, hand to hand fighting takes place with the men using the drainage ditches for cover. At 0520hrs Vergote Farm (green keepers sheds) falls.

28th May 1100hrs, All morning skirmishes take place in the woods around the farm and the now golf club house. The Germans finally knock out D Coy’s machine gun that was situated on the FWW bunker.

28th May 1330hrs, The remaining men are pinned down, the Germans had created forwards from the woods, mortar fire continues to fall on the RSF. They then finally surrender, BHQ tried to destroy all its paperwork but some documents were recovered from the farm.