Jeff Simmons
Active member
I do not understand why the Allies refused to yield the Ypres salient to the Germans and pull back to a straight line southwest of Ypres.
The salient -- a bulge in the lines pushing into German territory -- measured about nine miles wide and five miles deep. The Germans held the high ground and the Allied soldiers suffered their wrath below. Every Allied operation was clearly visible to the enemy. Shelling could come from any direction: front, side or even the rear. It was difficult to dig in, because one would hit water at about 18 inches down. Soldiers were left manning their positions, often knee-deep in mud. On a normal day, the Allies suffered hundreds of casualties, or thousands per day when the fighting was "hot."
Generals discussed the idea that they could evacuate the salient like a collapsing bag, pulling all of the soldiers back to a line behind Ypres. It would have straightened the line, meaning it would take fewer men to hold the line there. It would also have lessened the German advantage of holding the high ground at Ypres down the Messines Ridge. And ultimately, there would have been fewer casualties.
Why, then, did the top brass decide to hold the salient and Ypres at all costs?
The salient -- a bulge in the lines pushing into German territory -- measured about nine miles wide and five miles deep. The Germans held the high ground and the Allied soldiers suffered their wrath below. Every Allied operation was clearly visible to the enemy. Shelling could come from any direction: front, side or even the rear. It was difficult to dig in, because one would hit water at about 18 inches down. Soldiers were left manning their positions, often knee-deep in mud. On a normal day, the Allies suffered hundreds of casualties, or thousands per day when the fighting was "hot."
Generals discussed the idea that they could evacuate the salient like a collapsing bag, pulling all of the soldiers back to a line behind Ypres. It would have straightened the line, meaning it would take fewer men to hold the line there. It would also have lessened the German advantage of holding the high ground at Ypres down the Messines Ridge. And ultimately, there would have been fewer casualties.
Why, then, did the top brass decide to hold the salient and Ypres at all costs?