About 6 years ago we were in the final phase of the excavation between the Pilckem Road, Lancashire Farm and Fusilier Farm. We were able to excavate a vast British trench system before the land was turned into an industrial area.
#FWW #Archaeology #History #WW1
#FWW #Archaeology #History #WW1
Within the excavation area we expected to find parts of the support line (Headingley Lane) with a series of shelters, the reserve line (X-Line) and some of the communication trenches (Argyle Street) connecting these trench systems.
#FWW #Archaeology
#FWW #Archaeology
Headingley Lane was originally dug during the 2nd Ypres by French troops. When the British took over this sector they improved the line (more than once) and by doing this ‘erased’ the previous phase. The excavated trench was thus the latest version constructed with A-frames
In total 23 shelters connected to Headingley Lane were excavated. There were some minor differences but in general they were constructed with sandbag walls with wooden revetments, corrugated iron over wooden frames for the roof and duckboards on the floor.
#FWW #Archaeology
#FWW #Archaeology
The reserve trench (X-Line) was well constructed with A-frames, XPM sheets and duckboards. The systematic alternation of the traverses seems to indicate a planned construction.
#FWW #Archaeology #History #WW1 #Ypres
#FWW #Archaeology #History #WW1 #Ypres
X-Line had a systematic alternation of traverses, except on one segment that was a bit longer and had a different orientation. Here the line crossed and old French trench (WO1_LPG_16) and a few metres of what was already dug was reused.
#FWW #Archaeology #History
#FWW #Archaeology #History
Halifax Road/Argyle Street was the communication trench connecting Headingley Lane with the X-line. Depending on the location in the landscape, the construction was different: floorboards on ‘floating’ support beams, duckboards on driven poles or duckboards on A-frames.
