Ypres: The Immortal Salient

Posted on February 25, 2023 by

21 Comments

In this episode we look at the four years of the Great War in Flanders and the battles around the city of Ypres, in what became known as the ‘Immortal Salient’. What was the Ypres Salient, what was its meaning and what does it still mean to us more than a century later?

RECOMMENDED READING:

PODCAST EXTRAS: YPRES MAPS

Category: Flanders, Podcast Episode, WW1 History, Ypres

21 Comments on “Ypres: The Immortal Salient”

  1. Hello Paul, As a Canadian its my understanding that the Battle of Vimy Ridge, conducted mostly by Canadian Divisions, was the most significant battle victory to date. They too had battlefield models and maps and every soldier was shared the plan and individual units were allowed to adjust to a degree depending in the situation. However, you state that the 3rd Battle of Ypres was the first significant victory yet you describe preparations that seem very similar to Vimy. Perhaps you mean it ess the first English major victory. But i believe the Canadian Divisions at Vimy moved up to Ypres for the July battle.

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    • Hi Steve – the Canadian Corps was one Corps on a whole Army at Arras (First Army with Third Army on flanks) and not every Corps in those two Army did the same. At Messines Plummer made sure the whole Army (in this case Second Army which included men from several nations) did it so thatā€™s why it was a significant turning point.

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  2. So without the success and planning of Vimy, 3rd Ypres may have not happened or as successful. I think you must have forgot Vimy. The 3rd Ypres happened just a few months after. Not a coincidence in my mind they prepared in same way.

    Let’s not forget you Brits were at Bimy too. I think supporting the 4th Cdn Division. But that flank was not as effective…due to the heavy resistance of the Pimple?

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    • The approach adopted by Plumer was part of a widespread change within the whole BEF of which the Canadian Corps was a part. Iā€™ve hardly forgotten Vimy given how frequently Iā€™ve covered it and the CEF in this podcast!

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      • Yes Paul maybe you don’t agree with the narrative here that Canada lead in the new tactics and training. We commanded our own forces for a change. Canada wasn’t going to fight anymore unless we had the authority to command this battle. It was the greatest success to date of WW1. It was finally recognizing Canada as a mature nation fit to lead itself in battle. As you know. My grandfather was awarded the DSO at Buckingham a few weeks later and had to get back to work for preparations at Ypres and Paeschandale.

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  4. In fact I’ll see if I can come overseas to join the May 6 Vimy and Arras Leger Tour?

    I also want to do a similar style tour of the Ypres Battles but not back to back and each has their own dates.

    Do you think 1 5 day trip with my wife is enough and that we toe on a few days in London so she can have some fun? The only part she will like about the Arras/Vimy bus tour is when the tour day ends and we can be having a stroll in Arras and dinner out. She might like a few highlights. We have been to the memorial in 2017 100th anniversary celebration but we did nothing more than stand and sit below the monument for 5 hours. No war stories, trench visits or tunnels. I hope the Ypres Leger trip gets into some tunnels in Ypres? I have never been in one. Thank you.

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  6. Really great episode mate. Takes me back to my younger years on the Salient with my folks. Looking forward to revisiting in April and July, albeit briefly.
    Thanks.

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  7. Really great episode mate.
    Takes me back to my younger years, visiting the Salient with my folks. Looking forward to revisiting this year.
    Thanks.

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  8. Another great podcast! I have been to the Somme and Verdun several times, but never Ypres. A very informative and interesting podcast.

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  10. A fabulous episode if you want to get your head round what happened here in Flanders for the Great War. As someone whose great uncle went missing on a trench raid shortly before Third Ypres in 1917, its hugely satisfying to have the complete history. Id thoroughly recommend it to anyone thinking of a trip to Belgium.

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  11. Another fantastic podcast Paul. Having walked 56 miles in 5 days on the Somme last month I fully appreciate your comments about seeing any battlefield on foot! It was particularly sobering to hear about the high infantry casualties in 1915/16 holding the line. I find the work of the Nomenclature Committee especially interesting. Great reading list as well. Beatrix Brice’s book definitely looks worth checking out. I have most of the others. I would also recommend Yves Buffetaut’s book on 2nd Ypres which is concise and we’ll illustrated. I bought this from the Flanders Field museum in 2019 on Vic’s war poets tour.

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