In 1914-1915, the troops under General de Mitry, and later the French Marines, succeeded in clearing the town, by capturing the great dune north of St. Georges and various redoubts on the east.
In 1917, the Germans attacked units of the British 4th Army, which was then taking up its positions, and recaptured the dunes as far as the Yser Channel.
Line of Defence between Nieuport and Lombartzyde (held by the Territorials.)
At top of page: Two German Blockhouses wrecked by shellfire. Underneath: Line of Defence before Lombartzyde. On the left (inset): Belgian trench along the Yser, with splinter-proof Shelters. On the right (upper): Advance boyau on the coast, near the Grande Dune. On the right (lower): German Temporary Bridge partly captured during a raid, with chevaux-de-frise separating the Allied and enemy lines.
At top of page: Donkeys bringing up supplies.—Machine-gun Dog Teams.