The Four Days of the Yser is an international walking march in the Belgian province of West Flanders, organized by Defense. The annual 'military exercise' is open to civilians and military personnel from the Netherlands and abroad.
The walking event pursues three objectives:
Strengthen the bond between army and population by bringing soldiers and civilians together in a common sporting effort;
The fallen of both world wars, especially those who fell on the battlefields in the Westhoek during the First World War, commemorate in a respectful way;
Introducing walkers to the historical and touristic value of the Westhoek in a pleasant way.
The organization of the four-day walking tour is in the hands of the 'Batalion Artillery' from Nieuwpoort. This battalion, stationed on the Belgian North Sea coast, is assisted for this assignment by the 'Competence Center Support Equipment and Products' from Ypres. The organization is in close collaboration with the municipality of Koksijde and the cities of Nieuwpoort, Diksmuide, Poperinge and Ypres, where all start and finish locations are also located. The 'Executive Committee of the Four Days of the Yser' organizes this walking march every year, during the first full week following 15 August.