History
The Vrijbos in Houthulst, one of the places to be conquered during the liberation offensive in September 1918, is completely destroyed after the war; in 1920-1922 it is cleared of remaining explosives and partly reforested. The landscape around Houthulst is strewn with field graves and these fallen soldiers are reburied in the military cemetery established in 1924-1925. It contains 1,722 Belgian military victims, among whom 522 unknown soldiers. All but a few dozen fell in late 1918. 81 Italian victims have also received a last resting place in Houthulst; seven of them are unidentified. These prisoners of war mainly perished in 1918 when the Germans used them for the construction of their defence positions.
Casualties
1,722 Belgians First World War (522 unidentified) – 81 Italians First World War (7 unidentified)
Description
The 10-acre Belgian military cemetery is partly enclosed by the Vrijbos and situated next to the barracks of the famous Ministry of Defence demining service. Architects Blondeau and Moreau from the Military Cemetery Service in Bruges designed a six-pointed star crossed by red gravel paths. A red brick wall circles the cemetery. A long central portion of the enclosure consists of a low cast-iron fence and small granite columns. The bluestone tombs with the well-known Belgian bronze plaques are dispersed over dozens of plots. The Italian graves are to be found in the cemetery’s easternmost corner.