Aerial view, Wytschaete, West Flanders, Belgium, WW1
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Aerial view, Wytschaete, West Flanders, Belgium, WW1
Aerial view of the ruined village of Wytschaete, a front line area near Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium, on 7 May 1918, showing damage from shelling. Date: 1918
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Media ID 14415183
© The Patricia Aubrey Collection / Mary Evans
Auerbach Belgian Corps Fields Harold Observation Reconnaissance Roads Squadron
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative aerial photograph captures the devastating impact of the First World War on the small Belgian village of Wytschaete, located near Ypres in West Flanders. Taken on May 7, 1918, during the final stages of the war, the image reveals the extensive damage inflicted upon the rural countryside by relentless shelling. The village, once a picturesque collection of quaint houses and winding roads, now lies in ruins, with fields scarred by craters and the remnants of destroyed structures scattered haphazardly. The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) is believed to have taken this photograph as part of their reconnaissance and observation efforts. The RFC played a crucial role in the war, providing vital intelligence to the military by gathering information on enemy positions, movements, and troop concentrations from the air. The use of military aviation for reconnaissance and observation marked a significant advancement in warfare tactics and contributed to the Allied forces' strategic advantage. The image offers a stark contrast to the tranquil, pastoral scenes of the 1910s, underscoring the brutal reality of the war. The destruction wrought upon Wytschaete serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring impact of war on communities and landscapes.
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