Raph De Brant

The Hill80 report was completed some time ago, but only now officially submitted — which means I can finally share it! It’s in Dutch, but I hope you’ll still enjoy the content. 🔗 Read it here: oar.onroerenderfgoed.be/publicaties/RO…

Our last man will finally be laid to rest. He was recovered during our project, and while his exact identity could not be uncovered, the evidence was sufficient to determine that he had served with the South African Infantry. cwgc.org/visit-us/event…

Almost there! The @DigHill80 report is nearly final, approved by Flanders Heritage Agency, and almost ready for submission. I’d love to share it with you, but it needs translating to English. AI translated it, but it needs refining by native speakers. Any volunteers to #help?

Due to post-war deep-ploughing only very little artefacts were recovered. Deep ploughing and recovering material was very lucrative; at the time one could earn more a day than working the land. Cutlery, iodine ampule, plaque of MG-tripod and a filter for a Lucas signalling lamp.

Picture of last months excavation of 'White Trench' between Langemark and Poelkapelle. It was mostly build up above ground. The (shallow) outlines are very clear with 'White House' in the back. It was taken on the 16th of aug. 1917 by the 6 KSLI during the Battle of Langemarck.

Very pleased to be able to share this. A study into which a lot of time and energy has been invested. But above all, a subject that is very close to my heart. With a result that we can certainly be proud of. @RaphDeBrant @skylarcs onroerenderfgoed.be/blog/syntar-19… #FWW #Archaeology

Today, we were privileged to attend the reburial of 4 French soldiers at Saint-Charles de Potyze. Our teams were responsible for their recovery: a Tirailleur Sénégalais, a Chasseur and a French soldier, all unknown. And Sgt Valentin Menetre (2e B. Chasseur à Pied).

@Ri315e @sommecourt @militaryhistori @ProfPeterDoyle @masaccio60 @boiry62128 @GilesMacDonogh @thehistoryguy @historian1914 @HistoryandMoore @churchill_alex

Most striking monument on the Western Front? Mort Homme on a still summers evening ...

@ianbriggs1967 @SimonVerdegem @GreatWarDigital @sommecourt @ProfPeterDoyle @diggerdane1418 @militaryhistori @churchill_alex @FlandersWW1 @bigandylock @PikeGrey1418 It's the bottom part of the widest expansion the trench ever was before it got this wooden revetment. The part above is also disturbed. Could be from original digging or an older version or damage.

@SimonVerdegem @GreatWarDigital @sommecourt @ProfPeterDoyle @RaphDeBrant @diggerdane1418 @militaryhistori @churchill_alex @FlandersWW1 @bigandylock @PikeGrey1418 What is going on with the grey smear to the right of the ranging pole? Is that a much earlier infilled ditch?

Eckert Graben, excavated in Messines in 2012. It remains one of the most impressive and best-preserved trenches that I have ever come across #FWW #Archaeology #Memories

@GreatWarNerd @diggerdane1418 @SimonVerdegem @sommecourt @ProfPeterDoyle @Taff_Gillingham Glad you mention. I think I've seen remnants in the ogive of a shell we accidently hit too. But the picture isn't great so I can't really proof it. The wood inside was not recognisable/rotted away. Would make more sense here with the more pointed form.

Another one: Can anyone #help to identify these? We believe they are related to artillery. But I've never found a good reference to what exactly they are. #FWW #Archaeology

@SimonVerdegem @sommecourt @ProfPeterDoyle @diggerdane1418 @Taff_Gillingham They the fill of howitzer shells that are feeded separated from the grenade. Probably just for transport to prevent denting? We've seen this in Hospicestraat before. Luckily I took a picture!

@wildsaltyDog @SimonVerdegem @diggerdane1418 @sommecourt @WW2TV @ProfPeterDoyle Betonijzers waren aanwezig. Moeilijk zichtbaar wegens proper afgezaagd. Er is een volledige kolom (van 2m) meegenomen voor eventuele studie van bewapening en beton.

@SimonVerdegem @diggerdane1418 @RaphDeBrant @sommecourt @WW2TV @ProfPeterDoyle Ik bedoel betonijzer. In de boorkernen lijkt geen betonijzer zichtbaar… Voorbeeld:

A year ago, we had the opportunity to investigate this German Atlantikwall bunker. Due to inaccessible entrances, the only option was through the roof. It turned out to be a few extraordinary days with a great team. #Archaeology

@ProfPeterDoyle Explains the trenches too...he probably reused the set of 1917. 😂

@RaphDeBrant Sadly, the ‘field of Waterloo’ in Scott’s film seemed to have chalk soils [niche, I know, but hey, everyone has some accuracy issues with it, so why can’t I?]

Ok, seen it. That’s 2.5 hours of my life I won’t get back #dull

The omnipresence and tremendous power of artillery is a recurring theme in studying the artefacts. These finds were all affected by shrapnel or destroyed by the shockwaves. #FWW #Archaeology

Little time to post lately, but didn't want to withhold these from you. I keep repeating myself, but the preservation of the artefacts from Frezenberg is exceptional. Hard to believe these were buried for over 100 years on the battlefields of the Ypres Salient. #FWW #Archaeology

We need #help identifying this object. It was found near the location where we discovered the spud of a Mark IV tank. Given the thickness of the steel, there is a possibility that it is also a part related to the tank. Can someone confirm and/or identify this?

@churchill_alex @SimonVerdegem Just like rock and roll, for empires it's better to burn out than to fade away, isn't it? 😘

@RaphDeBrant @SimonVerdegem Except HE LOST. YOU MANIAC 😘

Woe. Is. Me. Today

@churchill_alex @SimonVerdegem Oh yeah I remember, I do hate you! 😅 You also forgot to mention that he scared and ridiculed Little Brittle so much they still try to blacken him 200 years after his death. That's called a sore loser? 🤔 Vive l'Empereur! 😉

@RaphDeBrant @SimonVerdegem Dunno. Just going to leave this here lol…