Follow the dike, bordered on the right with trenches, numerous observation-posts and concrete machine-gun shelters.
Westende-Bains. The sea-front. Among the ruins of the houses: 88 m/m guns in shelters.
Middelkerke-Bains. The Promenade along the dike. On the left, in the foreground: The Entrance to the Kursaal.
Below: The Kursaal, used by the Germans as an observation-post.
Middelkerke-Bains (3 kms.), formerly a small seaside resort, is next reached. All the hotels and villas are in ruins, their fronts having been either ripped open by shells or blackened by fires. The Germans organised powerful defence-works there, in view of Allied air raids and the possible landing of troops. Observation and signalling posts, as well as shelters for machine-guns and searchlights are to be seen all along the dike.
The Kursaal, an isolated building standing in front of the village, was turned into a blockhouse, facing seawards; same includes two superimposed observation-posts, a signalling post, and machine-gun shelters.
Continue along the dike, noticing the observation-posts, machine-gun and small calibre artillery emplacements, as far as the "Aachen" Battery on the right.