Kemmel American Monument

Kemmel American Monument. 27th and 30th U.S. Divisions in the Ypers-Lys Offensive. , This monument commemorates the achievements of the 27th and 30th Divisions which fought in the Ypres-Lys offensive with the British Army from 18 August to 4 September 1918. It was designed by the architect George Howe of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an erected by the American Battle Monuments Commission in 1929. , The 27th and 30th Divisions served with the British Army from the time of their arrival in Europe in May 1918 until the Armistice. After being trained at the front during the summer of 1918, the 30th Division took command of its sector here on August 18th, and the 27th Division on August 23rd., On August 30th, the Germans started a general withdrawal from the Lys salient to shorten their front line. By August 31st, the Germans had retired from Mount Kemmel. The 27th Division moved forward through the town of Vierstraat that day, while the 30th Division remained in place due to heavy enemy resistance. On September 1st, both Divisions attacked and achieved their objectives. On September 2nd, the 27th Division was able to put its units forward until they had contact with the new German line along its entire length. The 30th Division repulsed an attack in the area of Lankhof farm. The 27th Division was relieved on September 3rd, and the 30th Division on September 4th. They reentered the line about 3 weeks later in the battle for the Hindenburg Line. The casualties of the 27th Division totaled almost 1,300 officers and men, while those of the 30th were about 800. Many are buried in the Flanders Field American Cemetery, which is situated in the vicinity of Waregem, approximately 60 kms from this spot. Flanders Field is the only permanent American World War I cemetery in Belgium, and contains the remains of 368 American soldiers who fought and died for the liberation of Belgium. The cemetery is open every day of the year., This site is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission, and agency of the United States Government. , (French and Dutch transcriptions not provided, please click on the marker photo to enlarge.)