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Oosthoek Bridge (Bailey Bridge) over the Leopold Canal

Oosthoek Bridge (Bailey Bridge) over the Leopold Canal

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Oosthoek Bridge (Bailey Bridge) over the Leopold Canal

Name: Oosthoek Bridge (Bailey Bridge) over the Leopold Canal
Rating: 1.9

Recommended by 18 cyclists out of 20

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Location: Maldegem, Eeklo, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Top cycling routes to Oosthoek Bridge (Bailey Bridge) over the Leopold Canal

4.7

(33)

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1. Vrouwkenshoekkreek – Mesurekreek loop from Eeklo

57.9km

03:27

60m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.7

(23)

132

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2. Boerekreek – Mesurekreek loop from Boekhoute

52.9km

03:04

50m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.5

(4)

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3. Vijvers van Het Leen – Sint-Annapark Maldegem loop from Eeklo

55.8km

03:19

70m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

May 13, 2025

In the autumn of 1944, the Canadians liberated the municipalities south of the Leopold Canal during the Battle of the Leopold Canal.

On 6 October, the soldiers of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division began the construction of a bridge over the Leopold Canal between Maldegem and Sint-Laureins. A few days later, the Canadians crossed the canal during the first phase of the "Switchback Operation".

This bridge was initially a kapok bridge built by the Canadian troops. The Bailey Bridge has only been there since the early 1950s. It was placed there by the Belgian engineers and served during and after WWII under the name Langeweg Bridge, also in St-Laureins on the connecting road between St-Laureins and St-Margriete. Due to wear and tear, it was replaced there by a concrete bridge and the original Bailey Bridge was placed in its current location by the Engineers after the wooden floor was repaired. The bridge is still a beautiful reminder of the fierce battles that took place in September and October 1944, delivered by the Canadians to liberate the Scheldt pocket and thus be able to use the port of Antwerp. Today it is called the Lievebrug or Oosthoekbrug.

Source Traces of War

Translated by Google •

Riese

February 17, 2023

In the autumn of 1944, the Canadians liberated the municipalities south of the Leopold Canal in the Battle of the Leopold Canal. On October 6, the soldiers of the 7th Canadian Infantry Division started the construction of a "Bailey bridge" over the Leopold Canal between Maldegem and Sint-Laureins. The bridge in question is probably one of the last remaining and still in use Bailey bridges from the Second World War.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 10 m

Weather

Monday 22 December

6°C

2°C

0 %

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Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

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Location: Maldegem, Eeklo, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Oosthoek Bridge (Bailey Bridge) over the Leopold Canal

1. Vrouwkenshoekkreek – Mesurekreek loop from Eeklo

2. Boerekreek – Mesurekreek loop from Boekhoute

3. Vijvers van Het Leen – Sint-Annapark Maldegem loop from Eeklo

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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