This is a view from the south of the village of Messines in West Flanders today, taken from the south side of the Petite Douvre.
Funding from Natural England has enabled Staffordshire County Council to work with Great War specialists from No Man's Land (The European Study Group for Great War Archaeology) to uncover and record a unique Terrain Model built by the New Zealand Rifle Brigade as a memorial to their victory at the Battle of Messines in July 1917.
During Operation Kiwi volunteers will work alongside specialists to excavate and record the model on the ground, both by conventional means as well as with a 3D laser scanner. A virtual model will be created as part of the overall project.
Excavation will run between Saturday 7th September and Sunday 29th September. If you would like to take part in this unique project contact cannockwwiexcavations@gmail.com to pledge your time.
