HISTORIC GROUND

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10308, 18 January 1927, Page 3

HISTORIC GROUND

A VISIT TO THE BATTLEFIELDS.

MB F. WItEYiNOLAN’S IM-

PKESSIONS.

Contrasts between the old and new b ranee ot to-day and the oattlcfields of 1914-18—such wqs the- impression conveyed to Mr. F l . \Vrc.y iNolan during a recent tour through France. A trip through the old battlefields, saiu Mr. iNoian jesterday, give a wonderful impression of the magnitude of the great struggle wiiiich took place over there. ’At Lille, the visitors iound little signs of the struggle, for the city was in German occupation most of the tune, and the British made little attempt to shell it. The old buildings of this city, however, provided a striking contrast to the worldfamed town of Ypres, the place ot memorable happenings, where strenuous fighting occurred during - the whole of the war. To-day, however, few tangible signs of its awful memories remain at Ypres, The town has been completely rebuilt, and some very fine buildings have been erected. Few of the very old buildings remain, and the famous Cloth Hall in years to come will be practically the ; only building which will be classed in this category. At lius been renovated and strengthened without any material alterations being made. One of the things which made very forcible impression on Mr. Nolan during his visit, was the manner in which the (Hermans held practically all the high ground, and lie said it was marvellous to think that they had ever been shifted out of their positions. As far as the eye could sec the old German pill boxes could be observed, all on commanding positions, looking down on the ground where the Allies were located. One could hardly imagine how the big push had ever been successfully initiated, for from every view point, the Germans must have had tremendous advantages. A few kilometres from Ypres itself is Messines Ridge, made famous bj T the blowing up of Hill 63, and here again evidences of the war are apparent to the visitor. Close by the war memorial at Messines are a few hundred yards of the German trenches as they existed during the war j T ears, and one can gain some small idea of the hardships under which the fighting was carried out. Mr. Nolan’s companion, who was fighting in the vicinity of Messines during the war, said .that the trenches were really infinitely better than the majority of the trenches occupied by the British, and it was eas\’ to see that the hardships must have been almost beyond belief.