MalplaquetScout

Right on the border between France and Belgium you will find this little hamlet of Malplaquet.

The village has been used by various armies over the years.

Romans in Havay, just a few kilometers away, have been followed by the Duke of Marlborough 1709, Gen.Haig 1918, and Gen.Patton (US) 1944.

The ironies that I found on this battle(s) site cannot be missed.

The French chose to build their Memorial in 1909, nine years before the British Army passed through at the end of the First World War. The British KIA are commemorated in the village graveyard. The British dead are buried with full honours, and gravestones dated 8th November 1918. A Captain, a Lieutenant and 6 soldiers lost their lives at the end of the Great War. The poppies grow wild at the edge of this Battlefield.

Before this, Malborough fought to a standstill (strategic defeat) against the French Army of Louis XIV, in a War, the War of the Spanish Succession, here in this "no-mans land" .

No-mans lands, and route barrée. Temporary roadblock between the French village, the monument and Belgium. The monument can be seen opposite the white house.	Malplaquet. Village roadsign	Malplaquet remembers the passage of the 3rd Armoured Division, which launched is attack on the Mons Pocket 2 September 1944.	WWI British Cemetary (CWGC) in the Cemetary at Malplaquet.	War Graves at Malplaquet. British Army (Worcestershire Regt.). All KIA dated 8th November 1918.
59604 Pvt J Hemmings, Worcs. Regt. KIA 8th November 1918.	Malplaquet. View over the fields to the village.	Malplaquet. The edge of the battlefield.	Malplaquet. The side of a shed at the entrance to the village from the North.	Malplaquet. Memorial to the dead of the Battle of Malplaquet 1709. Dated 1909.
Malplaquet. Memorial to the dead of the Battle of Malplaquet 1709. Dated 1909.	Malplaquet. Memorial (rear) to the dead of the Battle of Malplaquet 1709. Dated 1909.		Malplaquet. The woods to the right of Marlborough.	Malplaquet. Woods to the left of Marlborough.