Memorial Beecham Dugout

This is Beecham Farm. The occupant accidently discovered a deep dugout here in 1999 when the ground literally gave way beneath her. The construction was removed for safety reasons. It was closely examined and measured and largely reconstructed in the Museum aan de IJzer in Diksmuide.

There are various indications that the dugout was made by the Germans. For example, the roof was an average of two metres under the ground. Close to the front, dugouts are deeper to resist heavy shelling. Before the Third Battle of Ypres, this was a relatively quiet area. After the New Zealanders took the construction on 4 October, it was subsequently used by British troops. There is accommodation for 66 men and 4 officers.

After the war the farm was reconstructed just to the south of the pre-war building, by accident on top of the underground network.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Photos: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Informatiebord