These three sites are destined to perpetuate the remembrance of the defence of Merckem sector, organized by the 4^{th} army division at the price of the greatest difficulties during the winter of 1917, and brilliantly defended by the 3^d army division in April 1918, and the gallant fields of action of the 1^{st} army division at the time preceding the offensive of the 28^{th} of September. These sites will remain it that region, the witnesses of the _battle of Merckem_, which was fought the 17^{th} of April 1918 in the neighbourhood of Kippe near Langemark, and where the 3^d army division, under general Jacques, and the 4^{th} army division, under general Michel, were covered with glory. The Germans, who were in immediate contact with the 3^d army division at Kippe, made a sudden and abrupt irruption in the lines of this division and advanced up to the front of the Merckem and Hoekske trenches, where they were stopped. Brilliant and heroical counter-attacks cleverly upheld by the artillery, drove them back disabled in their positions. On the side of the 4^{th} army division, the enemy, who, before approaching the front had to descend the slope at the North-East-bank of the Broenbeek and although vigorously welcomed by infantry and artillery fires, managed to push through a corner between the main-guards of Champaubert and Montmirail, whose wings were turned over to form a hook. Held in that way, the efforts of the Germans to open the breach further were vain. Crushed by violent musketry fires and the precise firing of the artillery, the enemy could not hold the positions reached and had to retire. The battle of Merckem which had not procured to the Germans one atom of land, nor advantage, cost them many dead and wounded, eight hundred prisoners and the loss of numerous material, which was left in the hands of the 3^d army division. The order of Leopold was granted to the 9^{th} regiment of the line and to the 1^{st} jagers. The inscription of “Merckem” on the regimental Colours of the 3^d army division, and on those of the 13^{th} and 19^{th} of the line (4^{th} army division) and also on the shields of the guns, rewarded the bravery of the troops who won the battle. As regards the moral point of view, the victory of the 17^{th} of April in which our regiments had overthrown whole divisions of enemies, revealed to the General Staff, the offensive worth and power of our army and gave to it the full due, of its conscientiousness and strength and the ardent desire to go forward. From the 17^{th} of April, our soldiers at Merckem felt themselves masters of the sector. Patrols and audacious raids were undertaken, sometimes on Kloostermolen, sometimes on the trenches of the Kwaebeek position or on the Little-son and on Italy, Portugal and Epernon farms.