Lombartzyde. Graves and trenches on the site of the Church (entirely razed).
Situated about 1 km. in front of Nieuport, on the right bank, Lombartzyde was occupied on September 15, 1914, by the advanced posts of the Belgian 2nd Division.
In danger of being turned, it had to be abandoned on the 20th, at about 3 p.m., together with Groote-Bamburg Farm, likewise situated in front of Nieuport.
For a short time the town was reoccupied by the French, but finally remained in German hands. Neither the attack on the Grande-Dune in December 1914, nor the Belgian advance to the outskirts of the town a little later, could drive the enemy out.
Groote-Bamburg Farm, formerly belonging to the lay monks, lies to the east of Lombartzyde; there is no carriage road, but a foot-path, starting opposite the church, leads there in 20 minutes. Of the farm, nothing remains but a maze of trenches, wire entanglements and concrete shelters.
Opposite the church, the old Avenue de la Reine (photos, p. [52]) leads to the Dunes, the importance of whose defences will become apparent (photo below).
Lombartzyde. The Mamelon Vert.