The area experienced many major battles during World War I, as part of the Ypres Salient area.
The front-line ran through the area of Wytschaete, which was captured and held several times by both sides during the course of the war.
Spanbroekmolen was an important German stronghold, and on 30 April and 17 June 1916, the area was the site of two German gas attacks on British troops at Wulverghem.
The Kemmelberg was important during the Battle of the Lys, and German units maintained a trench system (Bayernwald) within view of Ypres at Croonaert Wood.
Nowadays, the Bayernwald trenches can be visited as an open-air museum.
There are a number of war cemeteries in the municipality, including Godezonne Farm, RE Farm, Spanbroekmolen, Suffolk, Klein Vierstraat and Kemmel Number 1 French Cemetery.
The area experienced many major battles during World War I, as part of the Ypres Salient area. The front-line ran through the area of Wytschaete, which was captured and held several times by both sides during the course of the war. Spanbroekmolen was an important German stronghold, and on 30 April and 17 June 1916, the area was the site of two German gas attacks on British troops at Wulverghem. The Kemmelberg was important during the Battle of the Lys, and German units maintained a trench system (Bayernwald) within view of Ypres at Croonaert Wood. Nowadays, the Bayernwald trenches can be visited as an open-air museum. There are a number of war cemeteries in the municipality, including Godezonne Farm, RE Farm, Spanbroekmolen, Suffolk, Klein Vierstraat and Kemmel Number 1 French Cemetery.
Heuvelland