Memorial Chasseurs d’Afrique

On September 22, 2012 a commemorative plaque for the 1st was unveiled in Messines. 2nd and 4th regiments of the Chasseurs d'Afrique. This French Cavalry regiment was deployed on 4 and 5 November 1914 near the present Peace Village.

During the German offensive of October 31, 1914, the soldiers of the London Scottish Regiment suffered heavy losses and had to withdraw. To fill this deficit in the Allied front, four regiments of African Hunters were sent.
Their base position, called Hell Wood, was under heavy fire from November 1-5.
Their attack on Messines fails and the French soldiers are forced to withdraw to their starting trenches.
On November 5, 1914, the African Hunters made another attack on the Wulvergem Road. A violent German counter-offensive follows.
The fighting is bitter, the first battle for Messines failed.

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Source

• Text: Marie-Christine Vinck
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck