Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery, Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Wijtschate, Belgium
Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery is a World War I burial ground located in Wijtschate on the Messines Ridge, where soldiers rest in organized rows across elevated ground. The site features uniform white headstones maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and sits within a protected cultural landscape.
The cemetery was established in summer 1917 and primarily holds soldiers who fell during the early fighting of the Messines Offensive. The site commemorates one of the major battles fought on the Flanders front during World War I.
The cemetery is named after the Spanbroekmolen, a windmill that once stood nearby. Its graves, mostly of soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division, lie behind a low brick wall, and the Cross of Sacrifice stands against the north wall. Six unidentified men are named on special memorials.
The cemetery sits on elevated ground and is accessible via marked pathways, with parking facilities nearby for visitors. It is best visited during dry weather, as the paths on the ridge can become muddy after rain.
The crater beside the cemetery is the Spanbroekmolen mine crater, blown at 3:10 a.m. on 7 June 1917 with 41,000 kg of ammonal, 27 m underground at the end of a 520 m gallery. Its 76 m wide, 12 m deep basin was bought in 1929 by Toc H Poperinge and is now called the Pool of Peace.
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