Little Paris
Poperinge was one of the few places in Belgium not to be occupied by the German army during the Great War. It was in the middle of the British sector and it was an important rail centre behind the front line, used for the distribution of supplies, billeting troops, clearing casualties, … At the same time, it was the place where soldiers could forget about the strains of war while on leave.
Usually the troops would only spend around five days at a time in the trenches fighting; they would also help move wounded soldiers and provide other auxiliary services. When they had some time off, they would pour into the town of Poperinge, which they called ‘Pop’, to sample the nightlife and have fun. The British also called the town ‘Little Paris’, because of its numerous cafes, bars, brothels, cinemas, concert halls, and clubs.