Although the dumping of rubble on the site of the infamous Hohenzollern Redoubt had been stopped at the end of 2004, the problem recurred last summer, and hundreds of tons of earth have since been deposited there.

However, following a series of meetings between the Prefet of the Pas de Calais, and Her Majesty’s Consul-General, supported by letters to the French Ambassador from the Chairmen of the All-Party Parliamentary War Graves and Battle Heritage Group and the Western Front Association, a new decree has been issued, putting a stop to activities undertaken on the site.

In the reply received by the Chairman of the W.F.A., the French Defence Attache stated “It is needless to say that the sacrifice made by the British soldiers during the Great War will forever stay deeply rooted in the memory of the French people.”

Not to be a wet blanket, but how is this time different than what was agreed to before? Are there real measures in place to perserve or at least protect the area?
Andy

Hi Andy, I fully appreciate your comments following previous set backs with the redoubt, this time round however, after lengthy and high level representation on the immediate future of the Hohenzollern, we have written, as opposed to verbal reassurances.

The negotiations remain ongoing and the next step must be to find an option for the long term future of the redoubt, a fair ammount of "damage" has been caused to the site, not only in the last 6 months but for a number of years. Whatever is decided it has to be an solution that suits the local population, regional & national French authorities and us (the battlefield community).

Its far to early to say that the site is safe but the immediate threat that was faced and highlighted for the right reasons on this forum appear to have passed for the time being. The WFA are obviously not an authorative of governing body with regards to what happens to the battlefields but we do feel a moral responsibility with regards to thier preservation and can offer a sizable voice when speaking to people who can make a difference.

This is an importent week with regards "Battlefields in Danger" with the A24 project also being discussed, rest assured we will be following both the Hohenzollern & A24 updates with interest.

Peter & Clive,
Thank you for the update on the Hohenzollern, lets hope this will lead to some sort of protection being offered the site, unlike previously.

Andy

Thaks for the good news Pals.

Last night I heard from a, usually reliable, source that the French owner of the Redoubt was killed in a car accident a few days ago. I don't know if it's true but, if it is, the situation could change again for better or worse...

Hi Taff,

Indeed this news is true. He was killed last week when his car went straight across a roundabout and rolled. No one else was involved or hurt in the accident.

As I understand it the written agreement with regard to the stopping of dumping at Hohenzollern will still stand, regardless of the new owner(s).

This agreement was achieved by great diplomatic pressure by the All Party Parliamentary War Graves and Battlefields Heritage Group. As they are now involved in the proposed Glory Hole development at La Boiselle we can only hope that they have similar success there too.

Ralph

Hi Ralph,

Thanks for that. I am always wary of repeating rumours.

That sounds like good news for the Redoubt; let's hope we soon hear some good news for the Glory Hole too.

Cheers,

Taff

Just to confirm folks that M Eugene Bernus was tragically killed in a road traffic accident in the last week, at the moment the effect it will have on the Hohenzollern Redoubt is unknown.

I am sure however that forum members agree that this unfortunate turn of events means that our thoughts are with his family and friends for now. Despite our concern for this "hallowed" corner of a foriegn field that many of our Grandfathers fought over, we must give them time to come to terms with their loss and let the relevent authorities deal with the immediate future of the redoubt, I know I speak on behalf of the national committee of the WFA in this matter.

Clive Harris
Press Liaison Trustee

Hello Clive

Isn't the ownership of the Redoubt split between two different landowners? Was M. Bernus the man who was carrying out the dumping on the Redoubt?

Andy

Hi Andy you could just be right I am over in France for the weekend and hope to find out a little more, I should have a clearer picture by Tuesday of next week. We do know that the order preventing further detoriation of the site stands as of now which is good news.

Thanks Clive

Look forward to your update.

Andy

Does anyone have any news on when the memorial referred to before on the forum will be unveiled or has it already been done??

Hi everyone, things appear to have gone a little quiet on this subject as those involved come to terms with the tragic death of Eugene Bernus. Suffice to say the dumping has now ceased as far as we are aware and we (the WFA) await further updates from the various agencies involved, reading through the previous thread not enough credit was given those who raised and reported the issue initially and the hard work undertaken by Loos battlefield champion Pete Last, I for one do not take their efforts for granted.

Hi Clive,
Thanks for the update, lets hope that something has been resolved re this matter. Wholeheartedly agree with you regarding Peter's untiring efforts on Loos and the Hohenzollern.

Andy

GWF members may be interested and pleased to know, that the proposed memorial to commemorate the action at the Hohenzollern redoubt by the 46th (North Midland) (TF) Div, is to officially unveiled at 2pm French local time on Friday the 13th of October (91st Anniversary). Dedication is by the Rev Canon Ray Jones of St Georges church Ypres, any members that feel they would like to be present at the ceremony, the Lincolnshire Friends of the Hohenzollern redoubt will be pleased to see them. Mike Hodgson battlefield tours (Lincolnshire based) is organising a coach trip for the event with 2 nights stay at a hotel in Arras for approx £195.00 Mike can be contacted by phoning 01526 342249.
I would be pleased to answer any questions and can be contacted on either
01205 356051 or don@jenkins3581.fsnet.co.uk
or Mike Credland on 01526 378466
or Kevin Martin on 01205 363293.
We look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes to all the Lincolnshire Friends of the Hohenzollern Redoubt for their hard work and perseverance. Where is the new memorial sited? Unfortunately I will not be able to make it to France as I have other commitments. Also, can anyone tell me what the current state of the 46th Division memorial cross outside Vermelles is? When I was at Loos last year, the cross was showing its age alarmingly and the memorial seemed to me in perilous danger of crumbling away. Sadly, because of its position on the busy main road, the memorial is often neglected by visitors on their way to more well-known spots, such as St Mary's ADS Cemetery. It would be a great shame if this happened as the memorial was paid for and built by the old comrades of the division in the 1920's.

Hi Andrew
We are pleased that you will be able to visit the site late in October. There will be additional groundworks carried out over the coming year, following the unveiling. Namelly a bench, planting, landscaping etc. Also we aim to put in a visitors book and a book describing the design and concept of the Memorial.
Like yourself, we are aware of the poor state of the Memorial at Vermelles. Although it is a little presumptive of us at this moment in time, we feel that this is something that we would dearly like to look at in the near future. Obviously we need to obtain funding etc, but it is something that needs dealing with and quickly.
The new Memorial will be sited adjacent to the farm and track on the Auchy side of the Redoubt, accessed via the mini Roundabout on the Vermelles road. Hope you find it Ok. We hope to have sign posts put in soon.
Kevin