Belgian Battlefield Model Will Be Uncovered in England

News September 5, 2013

Staffordshire County Council)
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Staffordshire Battlefield Model
Staffordshire County Council)

STAFFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND—Archaeologists will uncover a model of a World War I battlefield that was constructed by German prisoners of war in central England. The model represents the Belgian village of Messines and the surrounding area, and was used as a training ground and a memorial to soldiers that died in the Battle of Messines Ridge in June 1917. The researchers will construct a 3-D map of the replica trenches, dugouts, railway lines, roads, and terrain with laser scanners before recovering them. “Due to the location, scale and fragile nature of the model it is impossible for it to be moved or left uncovered,” explained Philip Atkins, leader of the Staffordshire County Council.

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