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On the whole of the Belgian 1914-1918 front, where each inch of severely disputed ground awakens feelings of misery or glory, there is no spot more symbolical for fierce resistance and tenacious heroism than the famous Trench of Death at Diksmuide.

This place, where regiment after regiment, the entire Belgian army by turns toiled, fought, struggled for life, was the heart of the resistance until the glorious offensive’s morning of September 28^th 1918.

During four years this sinister trench, very advanced post of the Belgian defence, wash the theatre of incessant and murderous combats.Artillery and mortar shells, incessant alerts, heavy gunfire, unexpected grenades or sudden attacks, such was for fifty months the immovable and demoralising war in this narrow gallery. A well deserved nickname !

The flood between Nieuwpoort and Diksmuide having stopped the Germans, the Belgians started digging this trench in 1915. The purpose was the retaking of a heavy defenced machine gun base (Petrol Tanks) occupied by the Germans on the left bak of the river. The digging had to be done without any protection and under violent ennemy fire. It was then decided to proceed by saps.

However it was soon discovered that the Germans did the same on their side. When the adversaries were only at a few yards from each other they were compelled to stop. During the following months both armies continued incessantly fortifying their positions with concrete bunkers. Belgian engineers provoked in 1916 a dike-break between the two adversaries in order to stop the incessant attacks.

Also on the Belgian side, two sentry posts were installed at the sap-head. In 1917, a big concrete shelter was set up by our troops to which was given the evoking name of "Mouse-trap". Since the Germans now and again infiltrated into the Belgian sap-head, causing fierce hand-to-hand fights, the "Mouse-trap" proved a great support by preventing these infiltrations. As a matter of fact, on three sides of its concrete walls, loop-holes had been fitted wherefrom unwanted visitors could be seen in time.

Farther to the North and West, the flood covered an inaccessible and impassble territory called "No man’s land".Connection with the rear combat zone was made by means of two foot bridges : One foot bridge le directly to the "Kasskerke"-church. From there sandbags (called "Vaderlanderkes") were brought at night and over shaky planks to the damaged trenches.

The second foot bridge leading to "Lettenburg" (road to Nieuwpoort) was used for the reliefs and to bring the wounded to the rear zone. It also served to convey the food and ammunition supplies. (Decauville rails had been laid for the transport of big mortar shells).The units occupying the Trench of Death mounted guard during three days. After having been relieved, they went to rest for another three days in an cantonment in the rear combat zone.
 

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