Just acquired a small collection of photos of Ypres in May 1940. They show some of what is now the largely forgotten damage of WW2. The photos were all taken by a German soldier, and they are all dated 31st May 1940. First one shows refugees leaving Ypres. I think this is the road that runs from St George's towards Poperinghe.
Damage to buildings in the Grotemarkt. This is what is now the Dexia bank. The white door on left is still there and to the right is the Hotel t'Zweerd.
Excellent pics, Paul (looks like the weather had improved considerably by the 31st!). I like the first shot especially - didn't take the civvies long to make use of those abandoned '37 pattern large packs did it? I wonder what conversation is going on between the occupants of the German Army car and the semi-official looking bloke in the hat. cheers. dave.
Damage to buildings in the Grotemarkt. This is what is now the Dexia bank. The white door on left is still there and to the right is the Hotel t'Zweerd. Looks like it fell down even more later!!! ...
Was it bad weather before that? Torrential thunderstorm on the 29th/30th. mind you, that was up at Boesinge and you know how odd the weather can be there at times!!! (might not have touched ypres!!!) dave.
I've got another one coming this week, watch this space. They were all part of an album covering Holland and Belgium in 1940, which the seller is splitting up.
Another one in the series. This is on the Ypres - Poperinghe road, where the road cross the old Comines canal. At least that's what it looks like!
Back to the weather a report in the German 61 ID history says.... May 27th/28th... ...Unceasing rain hampered vision and made it even more difficult to attack ..... ....The increasingly heavy rain had thoroughly soaked the clay soil. The men stood knee deep in water. Flanders mud clung to the whole body and made weapons and equipment filthy. That is regarding the fighting on the Ypres-Comines canal quoted from page 159 of Guards VC by D. Sarkar.
