War Memorial 3rd Line Regiment

This memorial commemorates the soldiers of the 3rd Line Regiment of the Belgian Army who fell at Steenstrate in April and May 1915.

The hamlet of Steenstrate was the place where chlorine gas was first used by the Germans on 22 April 1915.

Originally the memorial was on the bridge close by and consisted of bronze plaques and other ornaments however this bridge was blown up on 28 May 1940 by the retreating English.

This memorial was revealed on 26th of April 1953 and consists of 2 plaques on the side.

In French:
"A la glorieuse mémoire des 162 officiers sous-officiers et soldats du 3e régiment de ligne qui, du 24 Avril au 10 Mai 1915, sont tombés à Steenstraat, en contribuant à briser l'offensive allemande déclenchée le 22 Avril au moyen de gaz asphyxiants"

Translated it says:
In glorious memory of the 162 officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the 3rd line regiment, who fell from April 24 to May 10, 1915 at Steenstraat for their participation in the halting of the German offensive, which was unchained on April 22 with gasses.

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Source

• Text: Luc Van Waeyenberge & Gio Theunissen
• Photos: Luc van Waeyenberge