Attractions and Places To See in Bois Robert - Top 6

The aircraft that crashed here was a Vickers Wellington Mk X, a medium-weight twin-engine bomber widely deployed by the Royal Air Force and Allied air forces during World War II. The Wellington was one of the most recognizable British bombers of the early war years and was known for its remarkable geodetic construction designed by aircraft designer Barnes Wallis. This unique structure gave the aircraft exceptional strength, allowing some heavily damaged planes to return to base. By 1943, the aircraft was primarily used for night bombing missions over occupied Europe and Germany. The Wellington HE652 belonged to No. 426 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, a unit that was part of RAF Bomber Command. This squadron, formed in October 1942, operated from RAF Dishforth in North Yorkshire, England, and primarily conducted nocturnal bombing raids on strategic targets in Germany. On the evening of April 10, 1943, the Wellington HE652 departed from RAF Dishforth as part of a large-scale Allied bombing operation targeting the German city of Frankfurt. Such missions were part of the strategic bombing campaign through which the Allies sought to weaken Germany's industrial capacity and logistical infrastructure. During this flight, the aircraft was intercepted over Belgium by a German night fighter. Investigations suggest that the aircraft was likely shot down by German Luftwaffe pilot Wilhelm Herget, an experienced night fighter ace who downed multiple Allied aircraft during the war. The attack took place in the early hours of April 11, 1943. Around 03:23, the Wellington crashed in the wooded area near Virelles. The impact was devastating; the aircraft was completely destroyed, and the entire crew perished. The crew of Wellington HE652 consisted of five young servicemen, primarily from Canada and the United Kingdom. The pilot was Pilot Officer John H. Sammet. The crew further comprised Sergeant John Hehir, who served as navigator and bomb aimer; Sergeant Douglas A.W. Weller as radio operator; Sergeant George Levins as flight engineer and gunner; and Sergeant Jack G. Budreau as tail gunner. Like so many young men who participated in the air war, they were often barely older than twenty. Their mission over Europe was part of a conflict that claimed thousands of similar lives in the fight against Nazi Germany. After the crash, the bodies were recovered and buried in the military cemetery of Florennes, where they still rest. The crash site remained largely untouched for many years until local historians and residents began to recognize the importance of the location. To keep the memory of the crew alive, a memorial was erected on August 6, 1978, at the exact site of the crash. The monument is intentionally kept simple. It consists of a simple stone or metal commemorative structure with a plaque listing the aircraft's details and the crew members' names. Around the monument are flagpoles, often adorned with Belgian, British, and Canadian flags, symbolizing the international solidarity in remembrance. The area around Virelles played an important role during World War II as a transit area for Allied aircraft en route to Germany. Belgium was situated in a strategic corridor between England and German industrial targets, making its airspace a frequent scene of aerial combat, crashes, and forced landings. Consequently, smaller monuments commemorating downed aircraft can be found throughout the country.

Beautiful hike, I was just expecting to see the lake but that is not the case, we go around it but not close!

Between Chimay and Thuin, the RAVeL L109 runs along a superb cycle path along a former railway line. The route is bordered by forests and meadows. You'll cycle far from cars, through the Hainaut countryside.

quietness of the pond where we observe birds

A very beautiful railway cycle path, RAVeL L109, from Chimay to Thuin. If the weather cooperates, it's an absolute dream.

Beautiful railway cycle path, beautiful scenery.

Via a short but tiring slope you reach a viewpoint on Lake Virelles, where you also have the Aquascope. Opposite the bench on the blue walking trail you can continue a few meters in the direction of the lake. There you have the best view, which is also marked on the map as a viewpoint.

Chapel at one of the entrances to the Bois de Blaimont, an important starting point for many walks. A prayer from 1950 hangs under the chapel.