Photo · Flanders Field, Belgium

# by Luke on 3 October 09

The site of heavy fighting in World War 1. (Map)

The place has special significance because of a poem published in 1915 by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae:

IN FLANDERS FIELD

In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
in Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; Be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
in Flanders fields.