Beerst and, further north, Keyem served as advance posts in October 1914 to the Belgian 4th Division which was then defending Tervaete. Violently attacked on October 18, they were lost and retaken, being finally abandoned on the morrow. In a desperate effort to save Beerst, the French Marines captured it twice at the point of the bayonet, covering themselves with glory, but all to no purpose. Beerst was completely ruined. Many cellars, transformed by the Germans into fortified shelters, may still be seen. _On reaching the road to Dixmude, turn left, pass through Dixmude (3½ kms.) and leave the town by the road previously followed. Take the first road on the left to =Loo= (1½ kms.)_ This small, ancient town is situated on the banks of the Yser canal. Its large 15th-16th century Gothic church, formerly an abbey, contains paintings and several fine tombs. _Keeping straight ahead beyond the Grand'Place, in which stands_ the Renaissance Hôtel-de-Ville, _the tourist will notice, immediately on the left, an +Old Gate (Westpoort)+_, a vestige of the ancient fortifications. A sycamore tree, probably some four or five centuries old, near by, is said by the inhabitants to have been used by Julius Cæsar as a picket for tethering his horse. [Illustration: +Loo.+ _1. Westpoort Gate, and the "Julius Cæsar" Sycamore Tree;_ _2. The Grand'Place. The Hôtel-de-Ville (on the right), and the ruins of the Church._] _Return to the Grand'Place, turn to the right, and cross the Yser. =Reninghe= (5 kms.) (razed) is next reached. To the right of the Square, take the street along which runs the local railway, leaving the church on the left. Before turning, the tourist will notice just beyond the church_ a small château dating from 1648 _(Photo below)_. _Follow the railway as far as =Oostvleteren= (4 kms. 300), where cross the Furnes road to reach =Westvleteren=, 1 km. 300 further on. Turn to the left, beyond the church of the latter village, keeping straight on to =Poperinghe= (10 kms.), via =Eikhock=._ [Illustration: +Reninghe.+ _1. The 17th century Château;_ _2. Ruins of the Church._] ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS GUIDE A Aachen Battery, 56, 57 Adinkerke, 36 Antwerpen Battery, 57 Augusta Battery, 83 B Beerst, 126 Beseler Battery, 57 Blankenberghe, 74 Bruges 85, 113 C Caeskerke, 118, 122, 123 Cecilia Battery, 58 Clercken, 126 Coxyde, 37 D Dixmude, 118, 126 Dudzeele, 85 Duinbergen, 84 Dunkirk, 24, 32 E Eessen, 126 Eikhock, 127 F Freya Battery, 83 Friedriechsart Battery, 82 Furnes, 38, 41 G Ghistelles, 112 Groden Battery, 75 Groote-Bamburg Farm, 53 Groote-Hemme Farm, 115, 116 H