Walking the Ypres Salient: Polygon Wood

[@Uliio]

Belgian here. I'm happy people are keeping this history alive. Everyone should visit this area. Thanks for the videos.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Ben.

[@jackthebassman1]

And thank you sincerely for taking care care of those who gave everything for freedom.

[@danielvanhaegenborgh565]

Lest we forget , Love and Respect from Belgium 🇧🇪 🌺

[@ptmaddens1]

I'm a tour guide in the area and it's astonishing how often this war gets glazed over anywhere besides the countries that fought in it. Any dutch family that comes through I always hear the same thing "it wasn't much more than a date we had to learn by heart". How on Earth did that ever become normalized?! It's where the old world died and the new world came screaming in.

[@endaemion]

Most Dutch secondary schools teach both the history of the Great War as well as war poetry fairly extensively nowadays.

[@ronbunn1349]

Same reason you didn’t learn more than a few dates regarding the Franco-Prussian War. Time moves on, more recent wars hold interest.

[@jeongna]

Yeah. From hong kong lol, and no one knows jack about ww1 lol

[@jasonnicholasschwarz7788]

In Germany, WW1 isneither remembered nor (properly) taught at school. The emotional connection to it is entirely broken and to most Germans today, this conflict is just "that war that lead to the Weimar Republic" and consequently to the NAZIS and WW2. There are no memorials to the commemorate the fallen, there is nothing that could be compared to Armistice Day/Remembrance in Germany, and on the 11th November, Germans celebrate the beginning of the carnival season which is just beyond ironic. I lived in Ypres from 2001 until 2014, and seeing how British,Aussie, NZ and Canadians still feel that connection and keep travelling to the battlefields while so few Germans really care for their own history and the sacrifices of their ancestors made me really sad and also quite angry. Germans died twice in this war. The first time, on the battlefield. And then a second time, when they were erased from the memory of their own people.

[@margjeweijdt1510]

The Netherlands were not involved in WW1, so it was just a by-line in our history. Though, I've learnt heaps about it in school, as well as some of the most haunting poetry maybe ever written.

[@brucelewis9440]

As a retired soldier, I appreciate what you and Simon have done to preserve this history.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Bruce.

[@nautifella]

Mr. McLachlan, Thank you so very much for doing this. I regret it took me so long to find it. My great grandfather died in Ypres in April 1918. His name is on the wall at Tyne Cot. He was a gunner with British Artillery. His battery took a direct hit in their magazine. Nothing remains but the bomb crater.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks for the comments, and respect to your great grandfather. Lest we forget.

[@brettcurtis5710]

Thank you Mat and Simon for remembering the Kiwis who died and were lost on the Ypres Salient! As Simon stated he has a soft spot for the Kiwis and the NZ Govt at the time decided that they would be remembered where they fell, also at Gallipoli! As the memorials at Gallipoli and on the Somme (identical) state - In Honour of the Men of the New Zealand Division - From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth! Kia Kaha, Ake, Ake, Ake! Arohanui from New Zealand!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks for the comments.

[@peteroliver7856]

My great uncle, 8/2458 Sergeant Arthur Scott Oliver Otago Regiment, New Zealand Army, KIA on 24 November 1918 near the Menin Road is buried at the New British Buttes Cemetery, Polygon Woods. I visited the cemetery in 2010. RIP from a greater family living in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand. His great nephew Peter Arthur Oliver

[@bradcobb3418]

i presume that you meant 1917 during the fighting for Passchendaele ?

[@thehoff1793]

Amazing seeing this. My grandfather was at polygon wood with the 8th machine gun company 5th division. ❤️

[@RebeccaBourhill01]

My mom's great uncle was killed in the battle at polygon wood. My father James Bourhill who is a historian and wrote a book called Deveron to Devastation using diaries by A.D. Reid (moms great uncle). He has written 3 books now. Thanks for all your videos. They are all fantastic. The photos that you showed are incredible.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks for the comments.

[@davidc3850]

Excellent video again Mat. Thanks so much for making them.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Glad you like them!

[@keziasarah]

Spent many hrs over the years sitting in Polygon cemetery and reflecting on the unmeasurable sacrifice.

[@stevenchadd]

Thank you Mat and Simon. I have three comments: 1. I acknowledge my friend's great uncle, who is amongst the 5th Division AIF not found at Polygon Wood and is remembered at the Menin Gate. 2. I am a grand child of a WW1 sapper, whose service I do my best to honour. More than 100 years on, I have a positive view of the longevity of remembrance. He will be remembered as long as my grand children in turn acknowledge his memory. I have faith that will happen. 3. In looking at the Kiwi memorial to the missing, toward the end of the video, the names are much more difficult to read than in previous years. I have visited my wife's great-uncle's grave (7th battalion AIF, 4th October 1917) in Aeroplane Cemetery on several occasions, and in 2018 (pre-CoVid) it was almost unreadable. Very hard to remember what you can't read! I would really hope that the CWGC cracks on with maintaining the legibility of the grave markers. May they all Rest In Peace.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Steven. The CWGC upgrades headstones and memorials when required, but obviously it’s a big job. They were all installed at about the same time, so are all reaching their replacement age at the same time as well.

[@petervanrijkelen4242]

I spent a few days near Polygon Wood last summer and visited the cemetary. It gave me goosebumps standing there and now as I am typing this, they reappear. I also visited a tavern at the edge of the wood. The owner, Johan, was very much involved in the Brothers In Arms Memorial Park and the story behind the Hunter brothers. We visited his private museum and talked about his work trying to identify the bodies of those who fell. It's such an important piece of our history and thanks to people like you and Johan this will never be forgotten. Keep it up.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you Peter.

[@nicklassalette]

I’m happy to say that I spent a good amount of time exploring Polygon wood during my visit in ypres. It was incredibly moving. It’s included in my video about Ypres on my channel. This video sheds more light on the importance of this site. Cheers 🥂

[@Bruce-1956]

I was there last September (2022), like all CWGC sites it has been maintained beautifully. May all the young men from the Commonwealth RIP.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Well said Bruce.

[@warwickhooper8302]

My grandad was there and made it home....I still live on his soldiers Settlement farm at Tamworth we have been here 102 years....I was at Ypres in 2016 and loved to see it all... Thanks for the look around.....

[@kidmohair8151]

the love and respect you feel for all of those young men who rest in these places, is abundant and obvious.

[@kidmohair8151]

if only the tube-u-all had a hundredth of that feeling

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@kidmohair8151]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory no. Thank you.

[@kingozymandias8370]

My great Uncle was killed at Polygon wood , he was with 4th Battallion Kings Liverpool Regiment 25th September 1917 aged 22years.

[@BilltheDoughboy1996]

Mate you know what I'm going to say... Excellent video as always. Loving this little series of different battlefields around the Ypres Salient. Can't wait for the next one man!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@denisegore1884]

Fabulous timing. 6 of the 58 New Zealanders buried in Polygon Wood cemetery died on this day in 1917.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Great timing!

[@davewilson9738]

Brilliant yet again Mat, thank you. The Commonwealth pulled together so well here when none of us wanted war but had to stop oppression and hate. Incredibly brave men and women.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Dave. 👍🏼

[@Captivity91]

Thankyou Matt and Simon, I and many others enjoy these videos you make!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@jackthebassman1]

Huge thanks to Matt and Simon for taking us round such important Great War sites, your knowledge and how you impart it simply cannot be improved upon.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks mate.

[@markmacsherry4642]

Great video as always, I made a visit to Ypres last year to remember the many Irishmen who fell in Belgium but on my way I stopped at Waterloo to remember the fallen on all sides some 200 years later, you asked the question will the fallen in Belgium be remembered in 100 years I would like to think so, I also attend ANZAC Day every year in Dublin at Grangegorman Cemetery to remember the ANZACS who died on the RMS Leinster that was torpedoed and sunk in Dublin Bay on October 10 ,1918 at the moment I am getting Christmas wreaths ready for their graves as they are so far away from home, so come visit on your next visit to Europe. Lest We Forget .

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers Mark.

[@theflyingdropbear2009]

remember going to Polygon Wood a couple of years back, before you know what hit the world. the one thing I remember about Polygon Wood was how quiet it was, not even the chirping of birds was heard when I walked down the pathway towards the Cemetery at the end of the path. But it was also surreal, knowing that what is now Polygon Wood, was one a hellish part of the world.

[@gordoncochrane6325]

My Father told me about Polygam wood and hellfire corner .He was with the Gordon's 1917 .Few.people are not.aware of the slaughter at these battles .dad gave me good accounts of the suffering the soldiers went through __both sides!

[@richardpetrech8528]

Dokument like this one are very very important to constantly repeat for generations and generations. Great work, keep going!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@generalbanastretarleton6578]

Another Fantastic Video. Absolutely love your work and what you do. Great as always. Thank you!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@Isclachau]

Great video

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@serenamackintosh3493]

Great video! I went to the centenary of the battle of polygon wood in 2017. It was very beautiful and moving ceremony. They also had an interactive component to the memorial event where you could walk along the Australian/ German lines on duck boards and hear the constant booms of the distant guns. My great grandfather wasn’t at polygon wood but was at battle of menin road. So it was amazing to be in almost the same spot where he was in 100 years later

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Serena.

[@mikem922]

Thank you Belgium.

[@pascaldesnoeck8671]

i'm from belgium (wervik), the older i get the more it hurts and i don't know why

[@burb122]

Nice mate! Thank you

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers!

[@lex1945]

I visited it today. Very impressive!

[@SR-bp3sk]

The 4th Australian division also fought at Polygon wood not just the 5th

[@thenoworriesnomad]

As always & thank you...

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers mate!

[@thenoworriesnomad]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory My pleasure ..

[@luckymorgan6018]

I’m American and have yet to see the western front in person. Absolutely obsessed with WW1 and love your videos man. You and Steven Upton are fucking great. I’ve yet to meet another person who’s into the Great War so thank god for youtube 😅

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers mate!

[@barryhollywood9186]

Recommend making a trip Lucky to north France and Belgium - you will love it if you’re into the Great War

[@pascaldesnoeck8671]

if you come the belgium, go to Harelbeke there is a American Cemetry with American soldiers ho thought in WW1,they will always have our love and respect.

[@nickwebster1166]

Thanks Mat. Another fantastic video. I visited polygon wood and the surrounding cemeteries in Sept this year and the area will now forever hold a special place in my heart. I was just wondering how I can watch your documentary lost in flanders in the uk. Thanks again.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Nick. Good question about Lost in Flanders. I only have a DVD copy myself. It’s distributed by Screen Australia, so perhaps check their website. 👍🏼

[@kennyrobyn1997]

This is basically in my backyard, living in Zonnebeke, Belgium

[@jasonladd6400]

Nice guy Simon.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

He sure is!

[@ditchdogger1]

I'm walking the woods tomorrow

[@carlsherwin5557]

Fantastic mat and Simon, was there 4 weeks ago we searched the wood for bunkers found 6 structures was wondering if there's anymore?

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Carl. Six sounds about right if you include the difficult to find NZ ones!

[@carlsherwin5557]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory funnily enough found the two small nz shelters first ,saw your wreath at the menin gate, top fella👍

[@robertanderson6786]

what a pity i can only 'like' this the once.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers Robert. 👍🏼

[@davidmayers8981]

Lest we forget.

[@brendajstevens3719]

🙏🙏🙏🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@TheFunkhouser]

ANZACs Lest we forget 😔❤🙏

[@dougm5341]

Mat, what are your thoughts on the Australian Army Campaign Series? Especially WW I?

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

I’m a fan. Particularly of the Fromelles book.

[@dougm5341]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory good. I’ve been picking them up along the way. I’ve enjoyed them so far.

[@wheresthegovernance4350]

Any more info on this series mentioned?

[@Think-Tank_Denkfabrik]

1:04 I came there several times, too. I´m german. You forgot our deads or do they not worth? An one-sided mystification shows that nothing has been learned. Sad

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

We mention the Germans several times during the video, including a long discussion of the former German cemetery and the German grave remaining in Polygon Wood Cemetery. Please also see my Passchendaele video that has a lengthy segment on Langemarck German Cemetery.

[@gordoncochrane6325]

Dad remembered the German soldiers and their fighting qualities and had great respect for them In his eyes they were the best and very brave in the battle