Demarcation pole no. 21 Hébuterne

This pole marks the front line between German and Allied troops in 1918. In the 1920s, France and Belgium (according to a different design) came up with the idea of using these demarcation poles to mark the places where the German advance had been halted. For practical reasons, the front line in 1918 was chosen.

The 1.25-metre-high pink granite stones were designed by French sculptor and former soldier Paul Moreau-Vauthie. At the top is a soldier's helmet resting on a laurel wreath bearing the name of the front sector. On another corner is a grenade, on the left a canteen and on the right a gas mask. The inscription on the columns reads: “Ici fut repoussé l'envahisseur, 1918” (Here the invader was repelled, 1918).

Over the years – and certainly during the German occupation – many of these symbols were destroyed. It is not known how many posts were ultimately erected. It is estimated that between 90 and 100 remain.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Jan van den Bos