Unique WWI artillery unveiled following trench renovation

The War Heritage Institute has unveiled a historic piece of artillery from the First World War in the Dodengang in West Flanders. The siege howitzer, a type of cannon, was used by the Belgian army on the Yser Front and is the only surviving example of its kind.

The presentation of the howitzer forms part of a wider renovation of the Dodengang, or the Trench of Death, a World War I memorial site near Diksmuide. The cannon is almost 6m long, weighs 2.4 tonnes and was built by the French firm Schneider.

In addition, a new signposted visitor trail with 16 stops guides visitors through the story of the Dodengang. Via the Heritage App, visitors can also follow the trail through an interactive experience, based on letters from a soldier to his sister, which give an insight into daily life at the front.

An educational pack has been developed for primary school children, combining an interactive guided tour of the Dodengang site with lessons on the First World War in Belgium.

^{#FlandersNewsService | The unveiling of the howitzer in Diksmuide, 21 April 2026 © BELGA PHOTO / VIDEO MAAIKE TIJSSENS}

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