Dug-out

As an alternative strategy, the armies built complex systems of passageways, especially in the Ypres area, in which life played out underground.

This temporary exhibition takes the visitors on a tour of the soldiers’ lives in these dugouts and presents a faithful reconstruction of these passageways with authentic materials. For example, you will see officers’ quarters with their toilet, a woodwork room and a nursing station.

The dugout was built with the help of Johan Vandewalle. The exhibition was thoroughly updated in 2020 to include material from our long-term donors Philippe Oosterlinck and Frankie Van Rossem.