British soldiers from the Northumberland Fusiliers posing for a photograph following the Actions of St. Eloi Craters, March 27, 1916.

 British soldiers from the Northumberland Fusiliers posing for a photograph following the Actions of St. Eloi Craters, March 27, 1916.

This photograph was taken today 108 years ago following a smaller engagement known as the Actions of St. Eloi Craters in Flanders. 

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In the British-initiated action, the British blew up several mines under the German lines at St. Eloi on March 27, 1916, before attacking the German positions, which the Germans had taken in an attack of their own on March 14, which had formed the total of 17 St. Eloi Craters. 

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The British captured all but two craters in their attack on March 27. German counter-attacks were repulsed and on March 30, a renewed British attack captured those last two craters as well well.

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The Canadian Corps then took over the newly captured craters, which by now were in a deplorable state. A German counter-attack on April 6 recaptured the craters, and deteriorating weather forced the Canadians to cancel an attack of their own to recapture them.

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In the Actions of St. Eloi Craters, the British had suffered 850 casualties in the attack of March 27, the Canadians some 1,373 casualties, while the Germans suffered some 1,605 casualties. The St. Eloi Craters were eventually taken by the Allies during the Battle of Messines in June 1917.

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