Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62), nr Ieper, Belgium

A longer then normal look at the Sanctuary Wood World War One trench system near Ieper in Belgium.

This area of maintained trenches give the best idea of the conditions faced by British and Canadian troops positioned here during World War One.

The final part of the clip moves into a recently discovered tunnel system (I will remember to bring a torch next time).

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The idea behind Video History Today is to give schools the raw material to make mini-documentaries and video essays on historical subjects.

Initial packages focus on World War I (Somme and Ieper areas), The Holocaust, the American Civil War and D-Day & Normandy 1944.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• sanctuary
• wood
• hill
• 62
• ieper
• belgium
• world
• war
• one
• british
• trenches
• trench

[astrase2]

The owner Jacques or whatever spoils this site. He sits in his chair ordering his staff about. Heis a big, untidy lump. When I was there with my school trip, a guy was going round playing the pipes badly which added to the falseness which was felt.

[VideoHistoryToday]

It is a shame. But what can you do? I see so many negative comments about the site and yet so many schools keep going there. Its a gold mine for Jacques etc. The Bayernwald German trench system is very good. Bit difficult to find and then you have to visit the tourist office in Kemmel to buy tickets and get the gate code. More 'real' even thougth they have only rcently been restored.

[simonluigi]

But still, nice interesting film about the place. Its just worrying me a bit that its advertised so much while some very good museums are not on you tube for instance.

Srr, that was quite a lot, you'll better read it in the opposite way :D

Always pleased to read your responce

[VideoHistoryToday]

Hi Simon

Guessed you were a local. I cannot disagree with you as I have no evidence that the place is 'real'. If the site is so fake shouldn't the Ieper tourist board do something about it? I had read about the owner and you are quite right that loads of tourists (especially British school groups) go there. I followed the crowd but as you can see from my other videos I did visit some less popular places. I tended to avoid museums on my trip as I wanted to film 'real' locations.

[VideoHistoryToday]

I did get to the German trenches at Bayenwald but visited before the site was officially opened (there is a short clip on my channel). That looks like a superb site. I got there about 6pm after the builders had gone and was 'found' by the owner wandering the dangerous incomplete works. Had a quick chat with him: he said the site had been vandalised a few times. Even half complete it looked more realistic them Sanctuary Wood.

[VideoHistoryToday]

The problem is all British school trips are programmed to visit Sanctuary Wood and I do not see it changing. Unfortunately it is the nearest thing to a 'real' experience most students get who visit Ieper and I have heard that many schools find it useful from an eduational point of view, fake or real. Overall I would recommend people to visit it but to know the background you mentioned. I add that a visit to Bayernwald is worthwhile to.

[TheKaratejames]

jaq or what ever is soo fat and rich he weighs the same as his bank balance 3,000,000 pounds

[flybager]

the amount of text in this comment section, is to damn high!

[raynus1]

Interesting. Three of my Great-Uncles were at this very spot on the morning of June 02, 1916. One still is.

[TheAF444]

Of course ur head is going to be stickin up they taken down part of it so the people could see across it and get a realy good experience of what the soldiers had to deal with

[UchihaMember23]

we went there today! and it was filled will leaves and water.. xD It was sooo dirty.. xD we were challenged to find the way out then we were like 2nd to the last cause we kept on getting inside the tunnel thingie then run around.. But we already knew the way out.. xD

[LillyElizaa]

I Went Here With My School , We Had A Good Time , In The Tenches , mud and tunnles, even though some of us was scared i had to hold my friends hand :)

[luxvonflux]

Trenches and bomb -raters are FAKE ! (dug out by Jacques Schier's grand-parents in the winter of 1955/56) . The whole Hill 62-Museum is a big (and expensive !) shame for the whole of Flanders Fields.

[hollandjasper]

I visited this place, Jack sits at the entrance in a big dirty vest almost dribbling as you hand him the cash. Several locals we spoke with were extremely pleasant and gave loads of suggestions of places we may go for authentic trench sites, but they were all unanimous that Hill 62 is not what it appears. The collection is filthy and unordered, quite a bit of '39-'45 items present also. The Yorkshire trench is not far.