Footsteps of the fallen

The 48 hour VCs

May 08, 2022 Matt Dixon Season 4 Episode 2
Footsteps of the fallen
The 48 hour VCs
Show Notes

To the southeast of Ypres, in what was once a lover's lane, stands a small artificial hill created from the digging of the Ypres-Comines railway.  Standing just 60ft above sea level, Hill 60 was strategically a vital spot, giving unbroken views towards Ypres.

For a period of four days in April 1915, this small hilltop became one of the most dangerous places on earth, with four battalions of infantry battling the German defenders with bombs, bayonets, and picks and shovels.
 
The fighting was so intense that no less than 4 VCs were won on the hill, 3 by the East Surreys and one by an officer of the Queen Victoria's Rifles who became the first Territorial soldier to win the VC during WW1.

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