Near Zonnebeke in West-Vlaanderen, Flanders, Belgium — Northwestern Europe

Australische Silhouet

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 14, 2024

1. Australische Silhouet Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Australian Silhouette
From the last weeks of September 1917 onwards, during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele Campaign), Australian troops - as part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) - played a major role. They were almost constantly involved in a series of heavy battles in the centre of the conflict zone.

To mark the 105th anniversary in 2022, a 2.60-metre-high steel silhouette was placed at this central site on the edge of Polygon Wood, overlooking the height of Broodseinde. The silhouette symbolises an Australian 'digger' (the nickname of Australians) with the characteristic 'slouch hat', heading for Passchendaele. It serves as a reminder of the significant Australian deployment in the autumn of 1917..

There is a direct link to the monument ‘The Long Road to Passchendaele' on the Frezenberg. The monument shows silhouettes of 11 Allied nationalities who took part in the fighting in the region. These soldiers march towards Passchendaele to fight at strategic locations. One of these locations for the Australians was Polygon Wood.

Photo 1: The Long Road to Passchendaele, Frezenberg

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Zonnebeke
Photo 2: High Cross, Scottish Memorial, Frezenberg Zonnebeke

Vanaf de laatste weken van september 1917, tijdens de Slag bij Passendale, Derde Slag bij leper (Passchendaele-campagne), speelden de Australische troepen - als onderdeel van het Australische en Nieuw-Zeelandse legerkorps (ANZAC) - een grote rol. Ze waren bijna voortdurend betrokken bij een reeks zware gevechten in het centrum van de toenmalige conflictzone.

Naar aanleiding van de 105de verjaardag in 2022 werd op deze centrale plaats aan de rand van het Doelbos (Polygon Wood) en met zicht op de hoogte van Broodseinde, een 2,60 meter hoge silhouet van cortenstaal geplaatst. De figuur symboliseert een Australische 'digger' (de bijnaam van de Australiers) met de karakteristieke 'slouch hat', op weg naar Passendale. Het dient als herinnering aan de belangrijke Australische inzet in de herfst van 1917.

Er is een directe link naar het monument The Long Road to Passchendaele' op de Frezenberg. Het monument toont de silhouetten van 11 geallieerde nationaliteiten die deelnamen aan de gevechten in de regio. Eén van deze locaties voor de Australiërs was het Polygoonbos.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 14, 2024

2. Australische Silhouet Marker

Deze soldaten marcheren in de richting van Passendale om op strategische locaties te vechten.

Foto 1. The Long Road to Passchendaele, Frezenberg Zonnebeke
Foto 2: High Cross, Scottish Memorial, Frezenberg Zonnebeke

Erected by Zonnebeke Toerisme.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I.

Location. 50° 51.485′ N, 2° 59.688′ E. Memorial is near Zonnebeke, Vlaanderen (Flanders), in West-Vlaanderen. It is at the intersection of Citernestraat and Lange Dreve, on the right when traveling south on Citernestraat. Marker is actually only visible from the parking lot at this bus stop 🚏 n Lenge Dreve. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: Citernestraat 4, Zonnebeke, Vlaanderen 8980, Belgium. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 14, 2024

3. Australische Silhouet Marker

walking distance of this marker: Polygon Wood (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Polygon Wood (about 120 meters away); Fifth Australian Division Monument (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Buttes New British Cemetery (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); New Zealand Bunkers (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Scott Post (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); a different marker also named Polygon Wood (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Polygons Ruiterpad (approx. 1.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zonnebeke.

Also see . . . Canadian Road to Passchendaele. (Submitted on February 19, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.