Heuvelland WW1 historic site : the german trenches of Bayernwald

Reconstructed german trench system on original location of a former battelfield in the countryside south of Ypres

(Browse the collection : West Flanders Province time lapse and video stock footage

The site of Bayernwald, in Flanders known as Croonaertbos was part of the German front line during WWI, known as the Wijtschateboge and Ypernboge. Situated on a hill this position was of great strategic importance and therefore suffered constant attacks and artillery bombardments by the opposing British forces. But the Germans managed to hold the position firmly after it was conquered by the Bavarian Army of Crown Prince Rupprecht von Bayern in 1914 and renamed the position Bayernwald.  They dug in deep and turned the hill into an almost impregnable fortress by constructing a vast trench system and multiple bunkers, until in June 1917 the position was eventually taken by the British Second Army during the Battle of Messines.

(Oliver Pifferi)

This unique German site is located between the villages of Wijtschate and Voormezele. The site consists of two mine galleries, a mine shaft, a trench system and five bunkers. It is accessed via a footpath which passes through the restored network of trenches.

(Flanders Fields)

Bayernwald is well worth a visit – not only because of the trenches themselves, but also the thought that has gone into the information boards that give background to the bunker construction and the mineshafts, as well as the information on display, including contemporary pictures of trenches and other items.

(WW1 Battlefields)