German Bunker Brugseweg

This bunker is also known as Cheddar Villa by the British, the Germans called this bunker Falscher Hof Vanheule.

This area was captured by the Germans during Second Ypres when they used gas against the Canadians and they started to build an artillery bunker by using the existing farm building. Originally, they could bring an anti-tank piece in the bunker via de back (the part that was opposite the front towards the northwestern direction: St Julien) This bunker was located at the time within less than 500 meters from the frontline. The bunker also had an observation post on top of it. The Brugseweg was one of the few roads that tanks could use which was done during the Third Battle of Ypres.

On the opening day of Third Ypres the British captured the bunker and initially set up a regimental aid post here. Also, the place was used to shelter and after the 1st Bucks took over the area on 7 th of August 1917 D company HQ and 1 platoon sheltered during the night in Cheddar Villa, however as the entrance now faced towards the frontline and as it was a wide entrance 1 shell that exploded in the entranced killed or wounded the majority of the soldiers in there.
The English engineers adjusted the bunker including a new opening for a machine gun.

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Source

• Text: Gio Theunissen
• Photos: Gio Theunissen