We left Brussels and headed to Dunkirk, about a 2 hour drive. On the way we stopped to see the Atomium, pictured above. The Atomium is a landmark modernist building in Brussels, originally constructed as the center piece of the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. We didn’t go to it, the bus drove up to it so we could get pictures.
On the same day, we stopped at Dunkirk, Fromelles and Vimy Ridge.
Dunkirk is where Operation Dynamo saw over 330,000 Allied troops evacuated to Britain. After Germany invaded France, Allied troops were pushed back to the French port of Dunkirk. They were all evacuated and brought back to Britain to fight another day.
Dunkirk Museum 
They had wonderful displays 
Heading to the beach 
Dunkirk Beach 
looking to the left down the beach 
Looking to the right, Boardwalk along the beach
The Battle of Fromelles (19-20 July 1916) was a combined Australian and British operation and is described as the worst 24 hours in Australia’s military history. It was Australia’s first action on the Western Front in WWI, intended as a diversion from the Somme offensive. Tragically over 5,500 Australian casualties occurred in less than a day and there were no strategic gains.
As a side note, the people on our tour were mostly Canadians and Australians with just a couple of Americans so each spot we visited resonated with all of us regardless of our Nationality.
Memorial 
Striking Statue 
Grave site
The monument at Vimy Ridge was spectacular. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was fought during WWI from 9 to 12 April 1917 on the Western Front in northern France by four divisions of the Canadian Corps capturing it from the German army. More than 10,600 Canadians were killed and wounded in the assault. This memorial honours the Canadians who were killed in France throughout the war who have no known graves.
Museum 
Map 
Canadian Observation Post 
Trenches 
Trench 
Typically Canadian 
Vimy 
One of the most striking memorials/monuments I have ever seen
It was an honour for us to visit these places that we had always read about/heard about. WWI and WWII were big parts of our history, hopefully we learn from these wars and other wars, but I sincerely doubt that we will.
Next stop …..Ypres a historical Belgian city in West Flanders.
Trums Travels 
Amazing photos that carry sadness. Why has mankind never learnt its lesson…
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Mankind will never learn. Even science fiction movies that I watch, when there’s some apocalypse or flu going around and most of the world is dead, there is still little pockets of people that are always fighting each other. It just makes no sense to me.
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Agreed. I believe the evil one is involved in this.
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I’ve been taking pictures of wildlife for almost 50 years now.
One thing they all do is fight. Competition keeps the genetics strong.
I see no reason why Homo Sapiens should be exempt.
Having said that, evil does not exist in any other species but Homo Sapiens.
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Well put Wayne. But wildlife generally kill for food or fight during mating. Well I guess they have border disputes too. But we should know better ☹️
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That is a lot of wounded and deaths – a real shame to have any war as it brings so much death and heartache. My father used to build dioramas of tanks on battlefields. He was in the German army. Those are some striking memorials .. very nicely done. It is sad that the one grave marker must stand for all those graves unaccounted for.
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War is mostly unnecessary. There are exceptions of course. Europe really does memorials in the best way and they continue to remember the sacrifices. It’s pretty awe inspiring.
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Yes, it is important to honor the war dead. I hate that Memorial Day holiday weekend here is celebrated with fireworks, which is just so wrong to me.
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I agree, it’s like having a party right? We have our Remembrance Day in November and crowds have sure slimmed down the last few years.
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People forget what it stands for and it just isn’t right. I’ve never lost anyone in any conflict, but I feel strongly about honor and respect for those who gave all.
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