Messines (French, Mesen in Belgian) was the location of the Battle of Messines in June 1917, a British victory during World War I. The capture of Messines Ridge was a preliminary operation that took place just prior to the Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres). High-explosive mines placed under the German lines were used to devastating effect, and the blast from the explosions could be heard in London some 130 miles (209 km) distant A reference to (source lost) "Arrondissement Leper, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen)" is removed & Messines, France was merged