The Ypres Salient

John William Gower’s short war service was confined to the early stages of the 2nd Battle of Ypres in 1915. This battle was one of many that were fought in this part of Belgium. The aim of the German army was to push into France through Belgium and to capture Paris. This was a part of the Schlieffen Plan, which was put into effect at the outbreak of war in August 1914. The plan failed due to the French army stopping the Germans to the north of Paris and the British Expeditionary Force holding them at Mons in Belgium.

After various movements to the front line in northern France, the battle lines settled into a stalemate and soon a ‘Western Front’ developed. From the Channel Coast to the Swiss border a line of trenches and fortified positions had been formed by both sides by early 1915. Following the failure Schlieffen Plan the German thrust towards Paris had become vulnerable on the northern flank. To prevent being outflanked by the Allies the Germans moved troops to this area and consolidated their position by reaching the Channel coast. This was balanced by similar moves made by French and British forces.

The slowing down of the German attack on France allowed the British to send over further troops to aid the French and the British Expeditionary Force. In response the Germans changed plan and made a push at the northern end of the front line, with the aim of capturing Ypres and moving on to the Channel ports used by the Allies, thereby cutting off British supplies and reinforcements. It soon became apparent to both side that the defence, or capture, of Ypres was vital. From October to November 1914 a battle raged around the town, the ‘First Battle of Ypres’, with the German attacking Ypres from three sides and subsequently creating a bulge in the front line around the town. This became known as the ‘Ypres Salient’ and was to remain a feature of the Western front until the end of the war in 1918.

Their determination to capture the town saw a fresh German offensive beginning in April 1915. This heralding the ‘Second Battle of Ypres’. The thrust of the attack came on the northern and central parts of the salient. During a concentrated bombardment on April 22nd the Germans released Chlorine Gas, which brought them some success. Following a number of strongly fought engagements the line held, although the Germans gained the advantage of capturing some high ground around the salient, notably the Passchendaele Ridge.