The “Grand-father” was again occupied by our troops the 9th of September 1918 after the taking of the german position of Kwaebeek brook. A centre of resistance was established there and was occupied till the offensive of the 28th of September 1918.
The name of Castel Britannia was given to the place occupied by the enemy’s batteries which oppressed up till 1917 our positions of the sector of Steenstraat. Thick concrete masses protected them. They served under the Belgian occupation as observation-posts and battle posts.
The cross road of Hoekske is situated at the crossing of Steenstraat to Dixmude road with the road of Merckem. It marks nearly the centre of the subsector which bears its name, and is celebrated by the numerous bombardments it has been subjected to. Heavy pieces of german artillery have been sunk in its vicinity.
These three sites are destined to perpetuate the remembrance of the defence of Merckem sector, organized by the 4th army division at the price of the greatest difficulties during the winter of 1917, and brilliantly defended by the 3d army division in April 1918, and the gallant fields of action of the 1st army division at the time preceding the offensive of the 28th of September. These sites will remain it that region, the witnesses of the battle of Merckem, which was fought the 17th of April 1918 in the neighbourhood of Kippe near Langemark, and where the 3d army division, under general Jacques, and the 4th army division, under general Michel, were covered with glory.
The Germans, who were in immediate contact with the 3d army division at Kippe, made a sudden and abrupt irruption in the lines of this division and advanced up to the front of the Merckem and Hoekske trenches, where they were stopped.
Brilliant and heroical counter-attacks cleverly upheld by the artillery, drove them back disabled in their positions.
On the side of the 4th army division, the enemy, who, before approaching the front had to descend the slope at the North-East-bank of the Broenbeek and although vigorously welcomed by infantry and artillery fires, managed to push through a corner between the main-guards of Champaubert and Montmirail, whose wings were turned over to form a hook. Held in that way, the efforts of the Germans to open the breach further were vain. Crushed by violent musketry fires and the precise firing of the artillery, the enemy could not hold the positions reached and had to retire.
The battle of Merckem which had not procured to the Germans one atom of land, nor advantage, cost them many dead and wounded, eight hundred prisoners and the loss of numerous material, which was left in the hands of the 3d army division. The order of Leopold was granted to the 9th regiment of the line and to the 1st jagers.
The inscription of “Merckem” on the regimental Colours of the 3d army division, and on those of the 13th and 19th of the line (4th army division) and also on the shields of the guns, rewarded the bravery of the troops who won the battle.
As regards the moral point of view, the victory of the 17th of April in which our regiments had overthrown whole divisions of enemies, revealed to the General Staff, the offensive worth and power of our army and gave to it the full due, of its conscientiousness and strength and the ardent desire to go forward.