Hooge Crater, Ypres by David Miles

©David Miles, Hooge Crater, Ypres; Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak camera, c. 1915, Pan 400 127 Film, based on Ilford HP5. Developed using Ilfotec DD-X

Shots were taken in August 2018, WW1's centenary year. Although there are some light leaks, I was able to develop some shots. 

Within the grounds of the Kasteelhof 't Hooghe hotel in Ypres there is a small part of what once was part of the Hooge battleground. The area was regarded as a hazardous area for the infantry, where snipers abounded and trench raids were frequent. Both sides saw Hooge as a particularly important area and a key target for heavy artillery bombardment.

These trenches are left almost as they were. Shells lie piled up, barbed wire still in place. Large craters have been further dug out and left as a large pool. The Hooge crater was a massive explosion that took place in the area. There is a museum next to the hotel and a large cemetery called the Hooge Crater Cemetery. 4000 British soldiers lost their lives here on just one day.