Flanders Fields 14-18

20/06/2026

This rare photograph captures American soldiers honoring the countless horses and mules that served—and died—during the First World War. So often overlooked in the human narrative of the Great War, these animals were essential on the battlefields of Europe, hauling artillery, supplies, and the wounded through mud, shell‑torn roads, and the brutal terrain of the Western Front.

More than 8 million horses, mules, and donkeys are believed to have perished in the conflict, lost to exhaustion, disease, harsh weather, or enemy fire. Despite their vulnerability, they showed remarkable endurance, facing bombardments, gas attacks, and the daily grind of war alongside the men who depended on them. Soldiers formed deep bonds with these animals, offering care and companionship amid devastation.

The tribute captured here reflects a profound truth: victory was not achieved by human effort alone. These loyal creatures were not merely beasts of burden—they were comrades who shared in the suffering and sacrifice of war.

Today, memorials around the world continue to honor the animals who served, reminding us that courage and loss in wartime extend far beyond the ranks of human soldiers. This poignant image ensures their memory endures.

📷- Allegedly 650 soldiers formed a tribute to 8 million fallen horses during WW1 (1916). Image courtesy of Almeron Newman/Library of Congress

17/06/2026

📷 - Captured German concrete strongpoint "Sachsen feste " (Saxon Fort), 11th June 1917. © IWM (Q 3089)

15/06/2026

During the First World War, entertainment became an important tool in helping to provide distraction and boost morale of soldiers both at home and abroad. Travelling theatre troupes were formed and used comedy, drama and music to inspire and entertain.

The groups were extremely versatile and utilised the many skills of the soldiers, from musicians to actors and even ventriloquists. As well as performing in the troupes, the soldiers still had to fulfil their responsibilities as soldiers. As the war raged on, sustaining numbers within the groups became much more challenging.

At Cannes Film Festival last month, Belgian Director Lukas Dhont received a standing ovation for his new film entitled “Coward”.
The film follows the story of a young Belgian solider called Pierre. He joins a theatrical troupe formed to help boost wartime morale. Behind the scenes, he has a secret romance with Francis, the flamboyant leader of the theatrical troupe.

Traditional war films focus on the brutality and horrors of war. However, Dhont focusses on a different side. Dhont describes the film: “For me, the film is a tribute to all the people who were forced to commit acts of violence in the past and who found an outlet in music, dance, or love."

The film was screened at Cannes Film Festival and will be released worldwide soon.

📷 - A group portrait of 'The Gaieties' theatre troupe. © IWM (2013-05-06)
📷 - Coward © Aline Boyen-the Reunion

15/06/2026

Among Australia’s Victoria Cross recipients, John Carroll stands out for both his extraordinary bravery and the unmistakable character behind it. Nicknamed the “wild Irishman,” he was the kind of mate who would charge through fire for those beside him — and during the Messines offensive in June 1917, he did exactly that.

Across four harrowing days, Private Carroll of the 33rd Battalion became a force of nature: storming an enemy trench alone, rescuing a fellow digger under fire, silencing a machine‑gun crew that had pinned down his platoon, and digging two buried comrades out of the shattered earth while shells rained down. His VC citation praised his “most wonderful courage and fearlessness,” a phrase that barely captures the scale of his actions.

Later that same year, at Passchendaele, Carroll was severely wounded — a stark reminder that even the bravest were not invincible.

Yet it was his personality that cemented his legend. Known as “Referendum Carroll” for his simple “yes” or “no” replies, he cared little for ceremony. He famously missed three appointments with King George V before finally receiving his VC — and then cheekily exercised his right to have the Buckingham Palace Guard turned out for inspection.

Carroll wasn’t a storybook hero. He was an ordinary Australian who met extraordinary moments with loyalty, grit, and a larrikin spark that embodied the ANZAC spirit.

Today, we honor not just the medal, but the man — a soldier who answered duty’s call with quiet resolve and breathtaking bravery.

Lest we forget.

📷- Informal portrait of 1804 Private John Carroll VC, 33rd Battalion. © AWM

14/06/2026

📷 - British Infantry in a support trench on a ground won in the battle, near Wytschaete, 12 June 1917. © IWM (Q 5484)

11/06/2026

Messines was an area of strategic importance during the war. The village was captured by the German Army in October 1914 and it wasn’t until the Battle of Messines in June 1917 that it was successfully retaken by the New Zealand Division. In April 1918 it was recaptured by the German once again until September 1918.

The Messines Ridge Cemetery was created after the end of the First World War when a number of graves from the battlefields around Messines were brought together. Approximately 1,500 commonwealth soldiers are buried here, of which over 900 are unidentified.

On the site you can also visit the Messines Ridge New Zealand Memorial which commemorates over 800 soldiers from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who died in or near Messines in 1917/18 with no known grave.

Now and always, we will remember them.

📷 - Messines Ridge British Cemetery © Eric Compernolle

11/06/2026

10/06/2026

Today, we share with you the next video from our “Behind the Lines” project which, together with our local partners across Flanders Fields, will show you some well-known memorials and lesser visited corners of the Ypres Salient.

We hope these behind-the-scenes glimpses offer you an insight into the community that continues to care for the region and inspire you to come visit these places for yourself.

Today we're with Wouter from In Flanders Fields Museum

📍 In Flanders Fields Museum, Cloth Hall, Ypres

What would you like to see next?

09/06/2026

Today we travel further afield than Flanders Fields today to Kalmthout, near Antwerp.

Prior to the First World War, Belgium and the Netherlands had been neutral countries. The villages of Essen and Kalmthout were quiet, rural villages on the outskirts of Antwerp on the Belgian/Dutch border.

However when Germany invaded Belgium in 1914, everything changed. Many Belgians fled over the border into the Netherlands, which remained neutral.

In April 1915, the German Army created a physical border in the form of a 2000-volt electric fence to restrict people being able to cross. This became known as “The Wire of Death” or “Doodendraad” in Dutch.

The wire was installed to prevent people fleeing but also stop the smuggling of goods and spies crossing into the Netherlands. The wire extended for hundreds of kilometres along the Belgian-Dutch border.

Those who did try and cross the wire were often electrocuted or killed by patrolling guards. It is estimated that over 3,000 people were killed by the fence during the First World War.

After the Armistice in 1918, the wire was very quickly destroyed by locals on both sides.

Today, at De Kluis, a section of the fence has been reconstructed as a memorial to those who died. Nearby, there is the statue Heldin which honours the women of Kalmthout who smuggled letters and people across the border during the war.

Find out more: http://www.dendoodendraad.be/het-verleden-in-beeld/

📷 - © Province Antwerp Tourism