Wulpen Monument

This monumental structure commemorates the 4th Belgian Division. This division was largely manned by French-speaking Walloons. In 1914, they defended the forts at Namen. After this, they retreated behind the River IJzer. Here, in October 1914, they fought with the 1st Division at Tervate, a critical and highly dangerous position on a bend in the river.

The division was stationed for more than 2 years in the vicinity of Wulpen. In April 1918 they fought at Merkem and helped to beat off the German attack on the hamlet of De Kippe.

The funds to erect this monument were raised by the commander of the 4th Division, Lieutenant-General Augustin Michel. The design was already made as early as 1916 by two architects serving in the 8th Line Regiment. For its construction, stones were gathered from the ruins of Nieuwpoort and marble from the ruins of Ieper. The monument was inaugurated in 1920.

Originally, the text was exclusively in French. Later, a single line in Dutch was added.

General Michel is also commemorated by a memorial column in Veurne. In 1915, he gave orders that his troops should not march through the town on their way to and from the front line. International convention forbad the bombardment of a deserted town that was not being used for military purposes. As a result, the German guns held their fire. They did shell the town later in the war, but it was largely thanks to Michel's order that much of Veurne was saved from destruction.

Vl. Toeristisch bezienswaardigheden