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Westende, Belgium -- ruined buildings, WW1
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Westende, Belgium -- ruined buildings, WW1
Westende, Belgium -- ruined buildings near Middelkerke during WW1. Date: 1914-1918
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Media ID 14388346
© The Roseries Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Belgian Bombed Bombing Damage Damaged Debris Dyke Flanders Rubble Ruin Ruined Dike
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the devastating impact of World War I on the once-idyllic coastal town of Westende, Belgium. Taken between 1914 and 1918, the image shows the ruins of buildings near Middelkerke, a suburb of Westende, reduced to rubble and debris. The remnants of a dyke or dike can be seen in the foreground, a testament to the destructive power of the war. During the First World War, Westende and Middelkerke were repeatedly bombarded by German forces, resulting in extensive damage to the towns. The area, located in the Flanders region of western Belgium, was a strategic point of contention due to its proximity to the North Sea and the English Channel. The ruined buildings depicted in the photograph were likely homes and businesses, their destruction leaving countless families displaced and livelihoods shattered. The war's devastating effects on the built environment were a common sight throughout Europe during this period, as cities and towns were reduced to ruins. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the destruction it wreaks on communities. The ruins of Westende and Middelkerke stand as a testament to the enduring resilience of those who experienced the horrors of the First World War and the rebuilding efforts that followed.
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