Hill 60

Hill 60

Hill 60 is a slight rise in the ground South East of Ypres, near Zillebeeke, West Flanders, Belguim. It had great tactical importance since from it the British line in the Ypres Salient could be strafed and the Germans could fully observe the British movements.

On 17 April 1915 six mines, each containing one ton of explosive, were detonated beneath the hill and then the hill was immediately attacked by a British force who established themselves in and around the mine craters. This force then held out against powerful German attacks and artillery bombardment until it was finally overwhelmed by a Chorline gas attack on 5 May. The Germans regained the crest of the hill but were unable to dislodge British troops who had dug in on the western slope. It remained in German hands until taken as part of the Messines operation in June 1917.

Clicking on this link takes you to the Wikipedia description of the campaign. Other descriptions of this campaign can be found by clicking on the following links.

WW1 Battlefields Great War History Learning Site First World War