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2007.11.09

* WEBSITE UPDATED!

Most important changes:
- A new column is added:"What's This?"! Help us to identify some World War artefacts found during recent excavations in Flanders.
- A new article about the excavation of German trenches in Menin.
- A new article about the excavation of the site Forward Cottage (A19-project).
- Information about some new events: the international conference 'Dead Reckoning. Passchendaele 1917' in Ypres and a lecture in Koekelare (Belgium).
- The guestbook was removed from the site because there were too much spam problems.

* Meanwhile, our english-speaking members have received the newsletter 'THE EXCAVATOR'!

2007.04.26

* WEBSITE UPDATED!

Most important changes:

- A new vast list of publications about World War Archaeology. Some of the articles can be downloaded.
- Reports of excavations in Tielt (World War 2), Mesen (World War 1) en Langemark (World War 1) .
- A new article about the Webley gun.
- In the "Law" section you can now download the publication 'Omgaan met bodemvondsten. Opgravingen WO1.' Unfortunately this is only available in dutch.
- Some new links.

* A19: IMPORTANT NEWS

A short but important message: the Flemish government decided not to extend the A19 through the Pilckem Ridge battlefield. The decision was partly based on the research carried out by The Flemish Heritage Institute. Some of the results can be read on this website (A19 project). This means the battlefield finally seems to be saved!

* WHERE IS THE "VAMPIRE DUGOUT"?

British en Flemish researchers are working together near Zonnebeke to find and investigate "Vampire dugout". More information about this can be found on the BBC website.

* FIRST NEWSLETTER FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKING A.W.A. MEMBERS OUT SOON!

Soon all english-speaking A.W.A. memebers will receive their first newsletter through the post. It contains contributions on the archaeological research in Boezinge and Mesen (German lines) as well as on the investigation of several bunkers under threat of destruction (Roeselare, Westende, Oostduinkerke, Oostvleteren). Everybody choosing to become a member receives 4 newsletters.

* A.W.A. PUBLICATION STILL AVAILABLE



The first A.W.A.-publication is available! "The A19 Project. Archaeological Research at Cross Roads." is written by Mathieu de Meyer and Pedro Pype and is now for sale (48p.). The booklet covers the historical and archaeological work which has been done at the Cross Roads site.
Price: £5 or €5 + Postage and Package costs
Postage and Package costs to any destination in Europe:

1 booklets: €1.50
2-5 booklets: €3.50
6-10 booklets: €5.50
11-30 booklets: €11.50
31-60 booklets: €30.00
61-140 booklets: €47.00

For orders over 140 booklets and orders to destinations other than European countries, we advice to contact us. Please contact the webmaster to order one or more booklets.
Read the review by Nicholas J. Saunders here.


2006.02.01

* WEBSITE UPDATED AND NEW COLUMN ADDED!

It took some time unfortunately, but now the website is updated again. Below you will find the latest news. Furthermore a new column is added: "WW1 Artefacts". Here Janiek De Gryse and Pedro Pype each time discuss an object that was discovered on one of the excavation sites. The objectives of the A.W.A. also changed. You can find the new text at "What is A.W.A.?".


* FIRST NEWSLETTER FOR A.W.A. MEMBERS OUT SOON!

Soon all A.W.A. memebers will receive their first newsletter through the post. It contains contributions on the archaeological research in Boezinge and Mesen (German lines) as well as on the investigation of several bunkers under threat of destruction (Roeselare, Westende, Oostduinkerke, Oostvleteren). Everybody choosing to become a member in the course of 2006 stays a member until the end of 2007 and receives 4 instead of 2 newsletters!


* 'ACTIEGROEP' AWA?

Lately some controversy arose concerning our Dutch name ("Actiegroep voor Wereldoorlogarcheologie). Some saw in us an organization planning to take action against the extension of the A19 for instance. We stress this is not the case. The AWA is planning some action of course, but solely in an effort to get all World War sites examined according to well-considered scientific standards. To avoid any further confusion from now on only the English name will be used.

* THE A19 PROJECT: CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS


The possible A19 extension (green) and three alternative routes projected on top of a German trench map from juliy 1917. De red lines represent the allied trenches, the blue ones are the german positions. The white dotted lines represent the three first battles of Ypres.

The report the Flemish Heritage Institute was asked to draw up on the A19 project was submitted by the end of 2004 to Minister Dirk Van Mechelen, competent for monuments and archaeology. Since then, no official reaction was heard. Several press reports on the subject were unreliable, since the press hasn't had access to the report.
Meanwhile, in January 2005, a number of excavations were undertaken, namely at "Forward Cottage" and "Battle of Bixschote". The excavations were filmed for a documentary series and will be broadcasted on Discovery Channel (and possibly some other channels) later on this year.
On 20 June 2005 the Department of Environment and Infrastructure of the Flemish Government presented its final report on the connection Ieper-Veurne. This study also contained the possible extension of the A19.
The presentation took place the Esenkasteel (Diksmuide) and was at the same time the last meating of the discussion group that was set up in function of the study. In it were representatives of the local councils involved, the regional platform, the GOM and British World War specialists. Four models were presented, of which the third was considered to be the best and the fourth to be the second best solution.
Model 3 proposes the optimizing of both the junction of the A19 with the N38 (Noorderring) as well as the junction of the N38 with the N369 (Diksmuideweg). Past Boezinge a new connection would be constructed towards the N8 (Ieper-Veurne), a little past Woesten. Finally the N8 would be modernized together with the construction of a ring road around Hoogstade.
In model 4 the N8 would be modernized over its full length and the towns of Brielen and Hoogstade are relieved from heavy trafic by the construction of two new ring roads.
This proposal is now to be evaluated by the responsible politicians. Or will they choose second best?

* RARE BUNKER DEMOLISHED IN OOSTDUINKERKE

Recently a bunker dating from WW II was demolished in Oostduinkerke. It was the last remaining example of the rare type R608, built as part of the "Atlantikwall". Still quite well preserved, its interiour was decorated with several murals. The A.W.A. regrets its destruction without a preceding thourough investigation. In the newsletter for A.W.A. members (out soon!) one will find more information on the Oostduinkerke bunker, as well as an additional column: "Other Projects" (>"Bunkers under threat") On the following website some more details on the bunker in Oostduinkerke is to be found: http://keyhole.freeprohost.com/atlant/oostduinkerkewnmarder/wnmar deroostduinkerke.htm