Kemmel American Monument

Overview

The World War I Kemmel American Monument is six miles south of Ieper (Ypres), Belgium. It commemorates the services and sacrifices of the American troops who, in the late summer of 1918, fought nearby in units attached to the British Army. Some are buried in Flanders Field American Cemetery at Waregem, Belgium, 30 miles to the east.

This small monument on a low platform consists of a rectangular white stone block, in front of which is carved a soldier's helmet upon a wreath. The inscription on the Kemmel Monument reads:

Erected by the United States of America to commemorate
the services of American troops who fought in this vicinity
August 18–September 4 1918

The 27th and 30th Divisions are honored. They served with the British Army from arrival in Europe in May 1918. Their participation in the Ypres-Lys Offensive began when the 30th Division took position in the line on August 18, and the 27th on August 23. The Allied advance began on August 31.

Both divisions met determined German resistance. They moved forward slowly. That afternoon the 27th Division reached the area where the Kemmel Monument stands. They advanced against German forces on September 1 and 2.

The 27th Division was relieved on September 3, and the 30th the next day. Both divisions moved south to the region near St. Quentin. Soon they fought in the Somme Offensive, September 23-30.

 

Location: Belgium

Photos

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Cemetery Information

Visiting Hours

Kemmel Monument is located outside along the Kemmelberg Road.

Contact Us

Kemmel Monument
Ypres
Belgium

Directions

GPS Coordinates: 50° 47' 52" N , 2° 50' 57" E

Kemmel Monument is six miles south of Ieper (Ypres), Belgium, near Vierstraat, Belgium on the Kemmelberg (Mont Kemmel) Road overlooking the bitterly contested Ypres Battlefield.

Travel by Car
Ieper is 54 miles south of Ostend (Oostende), Belgium, 76 miles west of Brussels, Belgium, and 165 north of Paris. The Kemmel Monument is 1.3 miles northeast of Kemmel on the west side of highway N331.

Travel by Airplane
Paris is 165 miles south of this monument, and Brussels is 76 miles east of this monument.

 

News & Events

Download this infographic to see where ABMC sites are located throughout the world.

Experience the history of World War I, “The Great War,” through an interactive timeline and map.

More than 500,000 Americans lost their lives in World War I and World War II defending democracy on soil and water far from the United States. The sacrifice of these men and women will be honored during ceremonies at America’s military cemeteries overseas, where more than 200,000 of these individuals are buried and memorialized.

Memorial Day–the federal holiday in which we honor our veterans and remember those who died while in the armed services–originated in the aftermath of the Civil War.