Polygon Wood and New Buttes Cemetery: A Legacy of Sacrifice
Polygon Wood, located near Zonnebeke, Belgium, was the site of intense fighting during World War I, particularly in the Battle of Polygon Wood (1917), part of the larger Third Battle of Ypres. Today, the area is home to several war memorials, including New Buttes Cemetery, which serves as a resting place for many of the fallen soldiers who fought here. Together, they form a crucial part of the remembrance landscape of Flanders Fields.
The Battle of Polygon Wood (1917)
Polygon Wood was heavily fortified by German forces, forming part of the Flandern I defensive system. On September 26, 1917, Australian and British troops launched an assault to capture the area. The battle was part of the “bite and hold” strategy used during the Third Battle of Ypres, where forces would secure small sections of land before pushing further.
The 5th Australian Division played a key role in the attack, advancing through mud, artillery fire, and heavy resistance. After fierce combat, the ANZACs successfully captured Polygon Wood but at a great cost. The battlefield remained heavily contested until the end of the war.
Polygon Wood Today: Memorials and Cemeteries
New Buttes Cemetery
New Buttes Cemetery, located within Polygon Wood, is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) site, containing:
2,108 burials, mostly from the battles of 1917 and 1918, where Jack Hunter is one of them.
428 identified soldiers, with many resting in unnamed graves marked “Known Unto God”
Soldiers from Australia, Britain, and New Zealand, honoring their sacrifices in the fight for control over the region
The Polygon Wood Cemetery and the 5th Australian Division Memorial
The Polygon Wood Cemetery contains 103 burials from 1917.
The 5th Australian Division Memorial, a striking obelisk atop the Butte (a man-made hill), commemorates the Australian troops who fought and died in the battle.
The area is surrounded by tranquil woodland, providing a solemn and peaceful atmosphere for reflection.
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