16) Airport along the Ledegemstraat

The current airfield, still a military domain, was built in the period 1936/37 as an alternative airfield for the military flying school of Wevelgem.

During World War II it was occupied by the Luftwaffe and from 1941 to 1943 used by the renowned Jagdgeschwader 26 under the command of Oberstleutnant Josef 'Pips' Priller.

The formidable fighter Focke Wulf 190, which was formidable by the Allies, was first operationally deployed from here in August 1941.

On 28 October 1944, a British four-engined Lancaster bomber of No. 635 Pathfinders Squadron made an emergency landing at Moorsele. After recovery, the bomber was able to take off again on 31 October and returned safely to its base in the UK. From 1946 to 1954, the base was again used by the Belgian Air Force as part of the Military Flying School Wevelgem.

Flanders Aviation Society